Married Couple: Separate Churches/Denominations/Beliefs. Solid?

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   donotfearposted 13 years ago

   You have a middle aged couple married for 12 years. Both are believers, go to separate churches & denominations. Wife is Assembly of God, husband United Pentacostal (UPC). Two faiths, two doctrines of salvation, two people married. Many differences. How does it survive? Any observations? Input?

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      SirDentposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      God is not the God of denominations. He is the God of people.

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         donotfearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, that's quite true, perhaps the real truth.

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      alexandriaruthkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      respect each other is all

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      spiritactorposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Denominations are man-made. Faith is the belief in the endless light of Truth found in your pure Self. If you have like minds, intentions and integrity towards that Truth, denominations are temporary structures that could never out-last the eternal.

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   Ghost32posted 13 years ago

   I can go you one better.  Wife is an Eckist, husband is a Muslim, super solid marriage for many decades.  Another:  Husband is an Eckist, wife is a Christian (don't know the demonination), 40 years of marriage and counting. 
   
   On the other hand, I've yet to hear of a Satanist and a Baptist doing that well together, so there WOULD seem to be limits....

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      donotfearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Way to go, Ghost!!!  That was a good one!

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      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      

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3. 83

   donotfearposted 13 years ago

   These are all quite true & honest observations. Let's ponder this: one doctrine is strict with certain outward "standards" that must be met in order to obtain an entry into heaven. Works produce salvation. On the other hand, the second doctrine is based on the free gift of eternal life through faith alone: salvation produces works. Any observations?

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      spiritactorposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have a tough time with this, as "salvation" in my belief system does not come from outside of pure Self but from within.
      
      Relative to my hub on "Momentum," if one follows through with inspiration sparked from the Light of Inner Self, with its inherent Love, Grace and Gratitude, then action/work follows. As such inspiration was generated from "the pure source" (or whatever label we decide to put on it), the act/work will be creative and without expectation: what I consider is perceived as "good." I believe this "law of the universe" supersedes any man-made doctrines-- maybe even the vocabulary of anything we could write or possibly imagine.
      
      Why do we try so hard to define ourselves with these hard tools? To me, nothing is more beautiful than the Truth that is inspired from without and experienced and acted upon from within; no matter what label we put on it.
      
      I'm grateful for your Spirit!

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   sneakorocksolidposted 13 years ago

   Words without action are hollow. If they're comfortable with that difference then it's ok but, I doubt one would stand by while the other works.

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5. 60

   Bovine Currencyposted 13 years ago

   both pentacostal, can't be that hard.

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   1. 83

      donotfearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Glad you brought this up, Bovine! With these particular denominations, both being 'Pentacostal' may be a bit misleading. Yes, they are both 'pentacostal' but the UPC & AG are very different. The UPC being based on salvation on:  equals =
      Speaking in tongues as proof of 'getting the Holy Ghost', baptism in Jesus name only, repentence of all sins, belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, and obedience to the gospel. (UPC people, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe so).
      
      Now, the AG bases Salvation on: equals = the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins, past, present & future...it is through His blood that we are saved, not through righteous works we do to earn it, through faith alone. Baptism comes as a result of our repentence and newly 'born again' life, not as a step to achieving salvation. So here's the difference.
      
      Now, if the UPC spouse tries to put those 'restrictions' and place condemnation on the AG spouse, even though the AG spouse doesn't believe those acts necessary for salvation, how would that affect the marriage?

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         Bovine Currencyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Based on my experience with AOG, it could be quite the bother.  Based on my knowledge of religion and the pentecostal faith, there are always interpretations, really depends how fanatic both parties are, penecostal religions seems to facilitate fanaticism with a good measure of lubrication.

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   Hi-Jinksposted 13 years ago

   My parents were married in 1950. Mother was Lutheran. Father was Catholic. Neither side of the families consider my parents married. My parents divorced the families, and we never see these people. They are all dead now.

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      donotfearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting the families warred over it.

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      Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My parents were married in 1947 (one Congregrationalist, one Catholic).  After getting over the initial "shock" of my father's family that he was marrying a non-Catholic (and adjusting to it), their (then called) "mixed marriage" was fine.  They agreed to raise us kids Catholic because my father cared more about it than my mother did.  Two of three of us dumped the church when we got old enough, because we didn't like a church that taught us that non-Catholics can only go to hell.  The third of us dumped the church years later for her own reasons.  All is right with the world now.    They were also a Republican and a Democrat.  In general, they didn't expect to think alike or believe alike.  They just respected the other.

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         ragnaworksposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I like that. Respect is the key to bridging the gap between differing ways of life. It's a shame so few people realize that.

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   quietnessandtrustposted 13 years ago

   To quote the scriptures.
   
   "How can the 2 walk together if they be not agreed?"
   
   I know people can have a great marriage, and it can be grater still if they be in agreement.
   
   It is at the point of disagreement that the twain cease to walk in unity.
   
   They can remain together and yet not WALK together.

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      donotfearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Very true, quietnessandtrust!! Exactly. It caused division, but then, if there is a solid foundation (Christ), what can prevail against it?

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   goldenpathposted 13 years ago

   It is interesting.  I have mentioned before that I am ecstatic that I, a Mormon, have been invited to be a part of the community Ministerial Association.  Since then I have come to know several clergy.  Two are married together and pastor separate congregations, separate faiths.  I think this is beautiful and awesome that they have been able to overcome that particular hurdle.
   
   I do, however, believe that it does hit a limit depending on the goals of each faith.  In my faith we look to and strive toward eternal aspects of marriage and family.  This would not be fully accomplished or realized if the husband and wife are of separate belief systems.  This has no bearing on who's right and who's wrong but does go to show that you can have productive love in a relationship but without a common foundation it is hard to further progress past a certain point.
   
   Without making it too complicated I will just say that love with full purpose of heart from both will eventually pave the way for happiness for both.

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   Paragliderposted 13 years ago

   I've even heard it said that a man and a woman can marry and live happily together. And you surely can't get more different than that!

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10. 83

    donotfearposted 13 years ago

    Spiritactor:
    
    I like what you say here...
    
    "Why do we try so hard to define ourselves with these hard tools? To me, nothing is more beautiful than the Truth that is inspired from without and experienced and acted upon from within; no matter what label we put on it."
    
    This is what I'm getting at here. The one 'denomination' is based on 'works' 'earning' the Truth, the other is your description, if the Truth is there, the works of love follow. Very good observation.

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