Should an Atheist marry to an Atheist only?

1. 74

   jainismusposted 12 years ago

   
   For a better understanding, should an Atheist marry to an Atheist only?

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      mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Not in this world, where one may have a cactus instead of a tree in their front yard.

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      Chasukposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That depends on how important faith is to the believer. In other words, an atheist probably wouldn't be wise to marry a fundamentalist believer, or any believer who was especially devout. I'm not saying that such pairings can never work, but they are certainly less likely to survive long-term.

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   3. 67

      A Thousand Wordsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's all about probability. Is it likely that an Atheist would marry another? Yes. But that also depends on where they live, and the percentage of people who have declared themselves "Atheist." But, an Atheist is more likely to marry/date a theist than a theist to marry/date an Atheist, at least from what I've observed. Admittedly, I could be wrong. But I don't know if "should" is an appropriate word here.
      
      @Chasuk, always with the good answers.
      
      @Peeples, good for you!

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      EinderDarkwolfposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Variety is the spice of life! It's good to have different people of different views and beliefs marrying each other. Why? Because the kids learn to see different view points from a young age which helps with conflict resolution later on in life. Not to mention that they say opposites attract for a reason. This doesn't just apply magnets. It also applies to beliefs systems and such. Two people, with conflicting belief systems, who can discuss and not argue their different beliefs, never run out of things to talk about and are always stimulated by intellectual conversation in this manner.

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is a good question, and it entirely depends on the personal characteristics of the individuals involved.  Some people are atheists but don't think about religion and God much.  Other people are Christians, but they are just Sunday morning types.  Both of these groups act basically the same, and they could probably find common ground.
      
      Personally, I could be with a believer in God depending on their attitude.  I could never be with a right-wing Christian because I have little respect for ill-thought out views, and also because it would cause major divisions.  I think about religion and God a lot, about as much as I do politics.  If I had my polar opposite, I don't think it could work.

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      Lore Splittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "Should" they? It would be up to them and their loved one...
      
      I tend to lean more towards atheism myself, though I consider myself an agnostic- and I've always felt religion is a very personal thing.
      
      I've dated people of different faiths, and non-faiths, and as long as they were of the belief that should we have children, they can decide for themselves what they want to believe, I'm fine with it.
      
      As long as they respect my beliefs, as I respect theirs, it's ok.
      
      When it comes to dietary differences, say I end up marrying someone who has dietary requirements or rules- so long as they understand I will eat what I want- though, if certain foods aren't allowed in the house at certain times, I'm ok with that, I can eat those things out of the house- I'm also fine with it as well.
      
      If I'm expected to convert, or to insist to both raise any children in that faith and discourage them from exploring other religions, then it isn't going to work out.

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      Titen-Sxullposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      People should be able to marry whoever they want, any two people who want to get married and are consenting adults should be able to do so.
      
      The question becomes a bit more complicated when kids become involved, the issue of whose beliefs will be instilled and how the child will be raised in regards to the religious issue is a contentious one.
      
      So people should use caution before getting married, but then that's common sense, don't rush into ANY marriage even if you believe the same things as your spouse.

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   I am an atheist happily married to the man of my dreams who is a Christian. Our differences make us a better couple. I couldn't imagine being married to another atheist as I find myself arrogant enough! It also wouldn't be much fun losing out on drunken debates on God!

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   Dee aka Nonnaposted 12 years ago

   I think it depends, for the most part, on the 2 people involved. People with different backgrounds, cultures, thoughts, beliefs, etc. have been able to make relationships work for hundreds of years.  On the flip side of that...people with similar backgrounds, cultures, thoughts, beliefs, etc. have not.  It is all in how you respect yourself and the other person.  I believe that you should always go into a relationship with your eyes open and not with the attitude that you are going to "change" the others person.

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   recommend1posted 12 years ago

   I am married to someone who is 'opposite' me in almost avery imagineable way, from race and culture to size - it works unbelieveably well. 
   
   I can't begin to imagine being married to someone who is told what to do by an imaginary mythical creature in place of reason, through teh medium of a gang of moronic preaching fools.

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5. 60

   Jonathan Jancoposted 12 years ago

   If I married my spiritual opposite she would be relgious but she would not believe in God. So, I think its a wee bit more likely that I will marry someone like me in that sense.

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   Gypsy Rose Leeposted 12 years ago

   It would be very difficult for me if I was married to someone who didn't believe in God. I am very strong in my faith and I say my prayers and at times refer to the Bible. I couldn't live with a person who didn't believe at all.

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7. 81

   Slarty O'Brianposted 12 years ago

   I've been married for 33 years to a Catholic. The way to get along is to not talk about religion with your spouse. At least that works for us. She knows what I think of religion in general.
   
   We sent our kids to a Catholic school until high school. Then all three decided they had enough so they went to a public high school. All three of my kids are atheists, but it could have worked out the other way around.
   
   It all depends on how demanding the religion is that the spouse belongs to. I probably could not have stomached being married to a fundy. My wife keeps her beliefs to herself most of the time and I keep my lack of belief to myself as well except in debates on line and in my writing.
   
   So it all depends on the people involved, not so much on whether one is religious or not. And there is some compromise involved. We were married in church but allowed our children the freedom to choose, and my wife never insisted that I go to church.
   
   In Canada, unlike the US, there is a policy among most people that religion is personal. The religious Catholics at least don't bother others with it. Only the fundamentalists seem to want to demand that everyone believe exactly what they believe.
   
   So for those who think being married to an atheist would be impossible, think again. It happens all the time with good results. Not to say it can't turn out bad. But that's the same in any marriage.

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