Daniel Yang: Inter-faith Marriage

Daniel Jangwon Yang

Marriage can be defined as a harmony between two different people. They have different family backgrounds, different educational histories and sometimes different ethnicities. Marriage is a set of procedures to overcome those differences of the partners. Some couples fail to compromise these usual differences and end up with divorce. What do you think about a different faith? It’s easy to imagine the difficulties the couple of different faiths would come across in the married life. They must be much more serious than those of others. The understandings on the specific objects may be not only different but also opposite. A religion worships some animals while others treat them as excellent materials of cooking. Besides, there are so many difficulties from a different faith such as foods, traditions, ceremonies and children’s education. In spite of these obstacles, I would marry someone of a different faith, because the harmonized personalities and the common goals of my life are more important than a religion.

The harmonized personalities of my spouse help me to live happily. Firstly, the similar way of thinking related to personalities provides us platforms to understand each other easily. I don’t need to addle my mind with my spouse’s thoughts. If my spouse is within the territory of my understanding, I would be comfortable and can pursue my will without hesitation. I am able to develop my idea with the help of my spouse, being focused on the intended direction. I can create new ways over the mutually escalating discussions. Secondly, the similar way of behaving stemmed from the harmonized personalities supplies us a cornerstone to build strong confidence. We help each other without any enquiry on the details trustworthily and never regret. This kind of relationship gives us stability for the whole life. We can positively monitor and advise each other to improve each other’s performances. These activities guarantee that each of us will be the best guardian for each other.

Happy and successful married life consists of a series of efforts to achieve the common goals. Firstly, we cooperate pleasantly, focusing both efforts on the goals we are commonly longing for. Everyone feels satisfied when one works to accomplish one’s own goal rather than to help others. Cooperating with a spouse for the common goals gives us both the basic satisfaction and extra one helping a spouse. We, moreover, are confident to overcome many difficulties with a very friendly supportive soul mate. We are not lonely and fatigued to death, cooperating with sympathy. Secondly, we can enjoy the pleasure of achievements better. We can share the common value of life. We do have a tightly knitted relationship that nobody can break. Each of us saves our sweats to achieve a goal, sharing lots with each other: at the same time, each of us enjoys the achievements, doubling the pleasure of the two.

I know very well that a different faith is a big trouble in marriage because religion comprises cultures, views and conscience. I recently recognize that the importance of faith in our life is fading apparently. Especially, the youth tends to follow their own decision instead of the religious dogma. I believe that this trend wouldn’t turn around and the speed of religion dissolutions would accelerate. Consequently, religions would not impact our lives. More important considerations are the factors related to how to manage a happy and successful married life. Those are the personalities, philosophies and goals of a life of a spouse rather than a faith.