Any time you combine two lives, challenges are bound to happen. If you are a couple with different spiritual backgrounds, beliefs, and practices, this difference may be handled harmoniously, or it may cause you to disagree over how to raise your children, how to worship, praying as a family and more. It will take focused attention from both of you to determine how you will handle your spiritual points of view in a marriage (preferably before you marry!). Interfaith marriages can be both enriching and positive!

Discover more about the issues you need to raise with one another and about creating a loving, interfaith relationship and marriage with these potential resources:

       .  Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage by                  Susanne M. Alexander with Craig A. Farnsworth and John S.                  Miller assists couples with interfaith quotations about character
                 
       .  Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling           Relationship by Susanne M. Alexander with John S. Miller                  assists individuals with interfaith quotations about character and                  a section on establishing the foundation of an interfaith or                  intercultural relationship.

       .  Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts! (Second           Edition) by Susanne M. Alexander and Craig A. Farnsworth
                 A workbook that assists couples prepare for marriage and                  includes and interfaith chapter
                 ***Read a PDF worksheet from the book that will assist you as                  you work together through your thoughts and concerns of                  interfaith relationships.***  (Free Adobe Reader is required)

       .  12 Hours to a Great Marriage by Howard J. Markman, Scott M.            Stanley, Natalie H. Jenkins, Susan L. Blumberg, and Carol Whiteley
                  Contains chapter on "Sharing Values and Core Beliefs" that                   address interfaith marriages

        .  Beginning Your Marriage by John L. Thomas
                  Catholic-based book that includes a chapter on interfaith                   marriages

        .  Becoming Soul Mates by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott
                  Provides couples with information about establishing a
                  soul-mate relationship between spouses (gently Christian-
                  based)

       .  Beliefnet.com
                  Interfaith website with topics such as interfaith dating, nuturing                   your marriage, and religion in the home.

        .  Making Interfaith Marriage Work by Steven Carr Reuben

        .  Bridges Relationship Assessment Tool by FOCCUS, Inc.


Judaism: www.aish.com

Hinduism:http://hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_premarital.asp