Passover Easter Issue - Page 1 - InterfaithFamily.com

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Passover/Easter Issue

Author: The Editors (---.ne.mediaone.net)
Date: 05-18-00 15:21

Discussion question: How do you feel about attending Easter services with your Christian spouse?

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How about a different outreach

Author: Paulus (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 03-31-01 10:09

Wouldn't Easter/Passover be a good time for a different outreach? Point out that Jesus' last supper was a Passover seder? That despite the manipulations to separate the Easter celebration from the Jewish calendar, the date shifts each year (in re: the Christian calendar) because of this?

This could enter into a discussion of other Christian traditions which have Jewish roots, like, say, the Ten Commandments.

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Author: Wilma (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 06-11-00 17:26

The Editors wrote:
-------------------------------
Discussion question: How do you feel about attending Easter services with your Christian spouse? I feel fine

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Re: How about a different outreach

Author: Cloudie (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-02-01 15:57

Paulus writes: "Wouldn't Easter/Passover be a good time for a different outreach?" I ask: Outreach to whom? For what purpose? Paulus writes: "Point out the Jesus' last supper was a Passover seder?" I ask: Again, for what purpose? As a Jewish person, I really am not concerned in any way if his last supper was a seder, since that aspect of Christian religion/tradition is not part of mine. Judaism is not concerned at all with this. Paulus writes: "This could enter into a discussion of other 'Christian traditions' (quote mine) which have 'Jewish roots' (quote mine) like, say, the Ten Commandments. I say: Paulus, I do not mean to offend you, but when you say that the most basic of Jewish laws, which are observed to this day, is "Christian tradition", I just have to object. I would rephrase that sentence to say: Jewish law, which is alive and vital, has been translated into forming our (Christian) basic traditions.

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Sharing Easter

Author: Cloudie (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 03-27-01 17:25

I was married for years to a Christian man, and I was obligated by guilt to join in the Easter festivities. I hated it. I would not eat the ubiquitous ham dinner, and I was always under barrage to consider "letting jesus into my heart" by various and sundry in-laws.

It was hell.

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Interfaith seders

Author: Cloudie (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 03-27-01 17:33

OH please.......a rabbi named Joshua? give me a break! Am I wrong, or aren't the seder celebrations part of JUDAISM, or is it just some break-off from Christianity?

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Easter and Passover

Author: Chana (---.nyc.bestweb.net)
Date: 03-27-01 20:58

I was raised exposed both to Christianity and Judaism and as am adult am in the bizarre predicament of loving and being attached to both religions. I like Judaism more, because it seems more three-dimensional and joyous, but in a way I have more reverence for Christianity because of the deep solemnity of the liturgy.

The Easter-Passover time has always been much more painful for me than the Christmas-Chanukah time. For I while I tried forcing myself to choose between the two celebrations, but have resigned myself to simply observing both. Which also means I've given up on ever being accepting by either religion!

But I'm thankful to have some faith, even if unconventional, than no faith at all.

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Sharing Easter

Author: Why can't we all get along? (---.tmp.com)
Date: 04-06-01 11:28

Cloudie,

You seem to be very bitter....or maybe insecure with your own beliefs. I am Catholic married to a Jewish man and I don't consider it "hell".
What is wrong with being educated on both religions?

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PASSOVER

Author: gail (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-07-01 00:57

Where would we Christians be without the Jew; Jesus Christ? Long before there was Christianity there were Sedars and Passover. I am a Southern Baptist woman married to a Jewish man for 22 years. We have always celebrated BOTH Easter and Passover in our family. When Easter falls on the same weekend we usually go to in-laws for sedar and I "do Easter" for everyone. The kids (who are now 13, 18, and cousins 20,21) loved getting up on Sunday morn. for the Egg-hunt and baskets that the "bunny" had left. Everyone got into the action ;Pop (originally from Russia) was always in the middle of the hunt stealing the kid's eggs from their baskets or wearing bunny ears. We even brought in the Mexican Easter tradition of confetti egss-breaking the eggs full of confetti on everyone's head was the highlight-we even had Pinata's filled with balloons, candy, money, etc.
When we have not been able to go to in-laws for Passover I have lovingly prepared the entire meal and set a beautiful table for my family of four; and am so proud of my husband and children conducting the sedar. (My children are being raised Christian, but have a wonderful knowledge of their father's religion). Our churches have become wiser to the Jewish/Christian Passover and have sedars for "everyone" to attend. My husband has become a wonderful Santa and Easter
bunny; and I know I'm a great "SHIKSA" who Loves the traditions of the Jewish race (the traditions that started my Christianity). On Friday nights when I light my candle and say a prayer to God ; for my family; it is not because this is a jewish household...but it is the end of the week (school is out and everyone is home for the weekend) and I'm thankful for the week that we have had together. Just another wonderful Jewish tradition that would be a blessing in any household. In God's eyes we are all created EQUAL!!

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Author: Bob (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-10-01 00:40

I'd like to wish all the children of Christian women, regardless of the father's religion, (unless the those children have converted properly to Judaism) a Happy Easter.

Same goes for all the Christian spouses of Jews.

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Jewish Easter Egg Hunt

Author: Jenny Genser (---.136.167.fns.usda.gov)
Date: 04-11-01 16:08

Since my interfaith parents were both atheists/agnostics, as a child, I never had to deal with the church issue. We celebrated dinner by eating lamb, rather than ham, and we all got Easter baskets and hunted for Easter eggs. In my mind, the egg things are nice spring traditions. Although I'm raising my daughter to be Jewish, I've always hid plastic eggs around the house on Easter.

However, this year, I've discovered a way to do a Jewish egg hunt. On the day before Passover, you put pieces of bread in the plastic Easter egg. Then you hide them around the house. When you are cleansing the house of bread products before Passover, you have the children hunt for the eggs. When they find them, they can open up the eggs and throw out the bread or feed it to the birds.

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PASSOVER

Author: DANA (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-11-01 20:19

i WAS RASIED IN A JEWISH HOME AND NOW RASING MY FOUR KIDS IN A JEWISH HOME WITH A CHRISTEN FATHER. WE MADE THAT DESSIONLOND BEFORE THE KIDS CAME. I DON'T NO HOW TO BE ANY THING BUT JEWISH
SO THATS WHAT I TEACH THEM BUT WHEN THEY DO ASK QUESTIONS I TELL THEN TO TALK TO THERE DAD. AND ALL IS WELL THEN.

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Easter

Author: Rachel (---.nc.us.ibm.com)
Date: 04-12-01 11:14

What does bunnies, baskets and candy have to do with Easter? They are no where in the Easter story in the Gospels. At least matzah (unleavened bread) is in the Torah, as well as the beginnings of the seder meal. But these kinds of 'celebrations' of Easter (by themselves) make a mockery of the most important event in Christianity. Celebrate them as what they are - springtime fertility signs - but don't pretend you are practicing Christianity.

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Author: Joe (---.dsl.broadviewnet.net)
Date: 04-12-01 17:28

Rachel is right on the mark. Easter is ultimately about Jesus' ressurection. To reduce it to eggs and bunny rabbits may make it easier to co-exist in an interfaith family (and avoid the conflicts that a deeper and intellectually honest discussion of the holidays would bring); but it is comical, at best, to incorporate Peter Cottontail & Co. into Pesach, and it is surely insulting to thoughtful Christians to take the most important event in their faith (some would argue the entire meaning of their faith) right out of their holiday.

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Passover/Easter

Author: Rod Koozmin (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-13-01 12:10

I am myself a very interested Bible studentcoming into aq athiest/reformed marriage. I viewed with suspicision my first Passover sedar(with allit's mysteries) but have come to love them.

I donot believe that Jesus last supper was really a Passover meal but it says that he desired to. We christrians believe that Christ was the Passover as the NT says.

The Passover story was one of God's redemption. In the case of the Isrealites the story is told in the story of Exodus. As a Christian I think the story of redemption of mankind is tole in the NT,

The early Christians were all Jewish and hated any Paganism and kept Passover. As more and more Gentiles got into Christianity, they drifted into Istarte and Paganism and frankly anti Semitism.

It may be difficult for the Christian who follows a paticular denomination to take a objective look at this. But the truth is out there in many books on the subject.

Write me and I can send a brief post on this subject at Nimzook@aol.com.

In the final annalysis one must ask himself whether they are following God, thier family tradition, thier old church or pastor. Please forgive mispellings-Rod

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Paula Brody's column

Author: Susan (---.milwaukee.k12.wi.us)
Date: 04-16-01 08:57

A Christian grandmother asked Paula Brody about taking grandchildren to church on Easter Sunday when the parents, who were "raising them Jewish" went off for a getaway weekend together. I presume they refer to Easter this year, April 15 of 2001. I wonder how these parents can claim to be practicing Judaism if they spend Jewish holidays (the last two days of Passover) away from their children, especially Jewish holidays which require adherence to strict kashrut. If they put their children in a position where such an issue can even arise, they obviously cannot care very much about teaching them the Jewish way of doing things, can they? Under the circumstances, it would be pretty hypocritical for them to object to anything her mother might do.

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Author: Kathy (---.la.navipath.net)
Date: 04-17-01 23:05

Bob writes: I'd like to wish all the children of Christian women, regardless of the father's religion, (unless those children have converted properly to Judaism) a Happy Easter.

Bob, you are just being snoody. On the face of it you are pretending to be nice, but what you are really saying is, "All you children out there with Jewish fathers being raised Jewish, who are being taught that Jesus is not G-d, 'Happy Easter', I don't care what your parents are teaching you, you are Christian." That is just a lousy attitude. Maybe you should not be on an interfaith website.

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Author: Bob (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-21-01 20:21

Its amazing how defensive some people can be. What's wrong with wishing Christians 'Happy Easter'? And as for those people who are doing as you say, that is having a Christian woman raise her children 'Jewish' and 'Jewish only, without the kids realising that according to Jewish law they are not Jewish, well there are so few of them anyways.

And eventually with the hostility that will be shown them as well as the influence of half their family it is highly likely that they will not be 'Jewish' as adults.

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Author: Kathy (---.la.navipath.net)
Date: 04-25-01 22:22

Bob, you are the one being defensive. Of course there is nothing wrong with wishing Christian children a Happy Easter. That is not what you did. You wished all children of Christian mothers a Happy Easter. Those are two very different things. Not all children of Christian mothers are Christian, unless they are being raised that way, and I would think, according to your standards, properly baptized. You also mentioned the families of the Christian parent. If you were not trying to be hostile in the first place, maybe you should have wished a Happy Easter to everybody out there who celebrates it. You specifically mentioned the children of Christian mothers. You also mentioned hostility that will be shown to those kids later. Are you hostile? Maybe you should examine your own attitude instead of projecting feelings onto others.

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Author: Bob (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-28-01 21:06

There are many types of Chrisitianity. Many fundamentalist sects basically consider adulthood to be the only proper time for baptism ('Ye shall be born again'), and therefore the question of a child having been baptised is not that important to them.

Many Christians may not be able to celebrate Easter for one reason or another (eg they are in a country (eg China) that at the very least discourages it). They are still Christians even if they don't celebrate it. therefore wishing 'Happy Easter' only to those who celebrate it would be too limiting.

Given these circumstances within Christianity (and taking into account Jewish Law) , the contexts of my wishing of 'Happy Easter' were correct.

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Author: Kathy (---.la.navipath.net)
Date: 04-29-01 14:40

Bob, why can't you just admit you are wrong? O.k. Maybe some people would like to celebrate Easter who can't. Then maybe you should have wished a Happy Easter to all of those who celebrate it or would like to celebrate it. Since your arguement is getting weaker and weaker with each writing, even you must realize the wording of wishing a Happy Easter to the children of Christian mothers (unless they have been properly converted) was wrong. Not all children of Christian mothers (as evidenced by many entries and articles I have read on this website) celebrate Easter. Many of these children are being raised exclusively Jewish. To specifically mention them in your Happy Easter wishes is hostile. You are saying they are not Jewish and should be celebrating Easter to matter how their parents are raising them.

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Kathy vs Bob

Author: Susan (---.milwaukee.k12.wi.us)
Date: 04-29-01 17:05

Kathy is right that people cannot be Christian by default. Just because one's mother is a Christian, that does not mean that one is automatically a Christian oneself. Gentile, maybe, but not Christian, unless one actually believes in the religion of Christianity.

But according to Jewish law, if one's mother practices Christianity, then one isn't a Jew, either. Only Reform Jews, who don't regard Jewish law as absolute or binding upon them anyway, believe that it's possible to be a Jew without a Jewish mother or a proper conversion, and then their standards require than no other religion be practiced within the home. Perhaps Bob is trying to say that we shouldn't deprive such children of some religion, and it's better for them to enjoy their mothers' religion than to get into a struggle with Jewish law. I think Bob's tone was pretty catty, though, and I don't see any constructive motive in writing his original post. I think if Jewish men marry non-Jewish women, their children should learn all about Jewish holidays and observance, or else they'll probably be lost to the Jewish people.

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Author: Bob (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 05-05-01 21:03

Within Catholicism I believe, once someone is baptised one is always baptised, even if one is a 'lapsed' Catholic. I believe that others believe that baptism also makes one automatically Christian for life, while as I pointed out some Christian sects regard a second immersion in adulthood as more important.

Just learning about Jewish holidays and observances doesn't mean one is dedicated to Judaism. Its obvious that the Arabs in 1973 knew all about Judaism's reverence for Yom Kippur.

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the 1973 analogy

Author: Susan (---.milwaukee.k12.wi.us)
Date: 05-06-01 22:33

To compare the child of a Jewish father and a Christian mother to enemy armies attacking Israel really goes too far.

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Author: Kathy (---.la.navipath.net)
Date: 05-11-01 21:09

Bob, it amazes me how you continually go completely off the subject. And Susan, thank you, some of the points you made were what I was trying to say.

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Author: Bob (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 05-19-01 21:28

I was just pointing out that teaching people about Judaism in no way makes them Jewish or even favorable to Jews.

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test of software

Author: InterfaithFamily.com editor (---.ne.mediaone.net)
Date: 09-13-01 09:57

ignore this posting--just testing software

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test

Author: IFF editor (---.ne.mediaone.net)
Date: 12-13-01 15:55

This posting is a test of software.

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Author: kay robert (---.eatel.net)
Date: 01-23-02 12:54

I am trying to gather information so that I can have a sedar supper. I am Catholic and wish to do this for my prayer group. Any help would be very helpful. Thanks and God bless.

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Author: kay robert (---.eatel.net)
Date: 01-23-02 12:55

I am trying to gather information so that I can have a sedar supper. I am Catholic and wish to do this for my prayer group. Any help would be very helpful. Thanks and God bless.

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Passover & Easter

Author: Fred Bluestone (---.212.190.77.Dial1.Miami1.Level3.net)
Date: 01-26-02 03:15

MY WIFE IS JEWISH, LIKE ME & WE CELBRATE PASSOVER; HOWEVER, WE HAVE BEEN 2 EASTER DINNERS WITH CLOSE FRIENDS ...& oy vey, said "happy easter" 2 our friends! Moreover, we heard the name "Jesus" mentioned! Will our ears fall off? And we've had gentiles at our Passover Sedars. If U come 2 my house, U R not asked of your mother is Jewish. WE DON'T CARE!

JUST REMEMBER THIS: Jesus had a Jewish Mother and celebrated Passover all his life! So, when U do what U do on Passover, remember that U R doing what Jesus did; therefore, does that make U a "goy"? Should we eliminate the entire Sedar 'cause Jesus celibrated it! Listen Rabbi, conduct a Passover Sedar U want me 2 conduct! Rabbi, U must B a "goy" if U want me 2 do what Jesus did!

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software test

Author: Ronnie Friedland (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 02-14-02 10:46

ignore

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May a non-Jew lead a Seder?

Author: Malka (---.as15.nwbl0.wi.voyager.net)
Date: 02-22-02 12:18

Interfaith Family, you've inspired me! If a kippah-less rabbi and now a cookbook author can be authorities on the Jewish religion, then I can be an authority on Catholic canon law. After all, there is no such thing as a "right way" or "wrong way" to be religious, is there, Ed? So, to all the Jews who want to know if they can celebrate the Mass next Sunday on the alter of their local Catholic churches, the answer is yes, and so can your wife.

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Message to several people

Author: Nancy (---.alink.com)
Date: 02-22-02 12:52

I am witnessing bickering here and this accomplish nothing. We are here to learn despite the difference and respect even if there are different opinions. There is no obligation on your part to believe everything other believe. You can listen, learn, discuss and take in only what you believe in without having to argue.

Anyway Malta, Jews are not encouraged to attend church. So it is not really ok for us Jews to attend church at least in the eyes of the Jewish community.

Note to Kay Robert - You can find further information about Passover seder on Jewish websites like Aish.com and read sections about holidays there.

The Editors wrote:
-------------------------------
Discussion question: How do you feel about attending Easter services with your Christian spouse?

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Message to several people

Author: Nancy (---.alink.com)
Date: 02-22-02 12:57

I am witnessing bickering here and this accomplish nothing. We are here to learn despite the difference and respect even if there are different opinions. There is no obligation on your part to believe everything other believe. You can listen, learn, discuss and take in only what you believe in without having to argue.

Anyway Malka, Jews are not encouraged to attend church. So it is not really ok for us Jews to attend church at least in the eyes of the Jewish community.

Note to Kay Robert - You can find further information about Passover seder on Jewish websites like Aish.com and read sections about holidays there.

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Discussion question:

Author: jmop (206.105.8.---)
Date: 02-28-02 11:20

Discussion question: How do you feel about attending Easter services with your Christian spouse?

I am a Christian, and my husband Jewish (Reformed). He does not attend any church services with me, and I find that somewhat sad because it is this whole part of my life that I spend alone. However, I totally understand how he would feel extremely uncomfortable if he did come and I accept that.

I became born-again almost a year ago and attend an Assembly of God church. I was raised in the Lutheran denomination. He did attend with me last year, an evening Easter play that is put on by my church. Also, he came with me this past Christmas to an evening dinner at church - this was a more social event than a worship service. That was very special to me, yet I believe my husband only felt comfortable there because he has many friends there, and it was a social event. Otherwise, I think he's only been in a church to accompany me to family funerals.

There isn't a temple where we live. But when we have gone to visit my husband's relatives (who are halfway across the country from us) I did get the opportunity to attend a Friday night temple service. It was awesome! I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt at right at home with the service, singing and worship. I couldn't participate in some of it as I don't know any Hebrew, but that was fine. I know this may be very hard for many Jews to understand, but I felt I was worshipping G-d, Jesus, just as I am at my church. To me, they are one in the same, so that is why I felt so comfortable. But because my husband does not believe they are one in the same, he would feel very uncomfortable attending a service at my church.

So, that's where we are at in my family! Just wanted to share! There are many other topics in this discussion that I'd like to touch on, but I'd end up writing a novel!

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Reply to Jmop

Author: Elise (66.7.177.---)
Date: 02-28-02 21:32

Jmop:
My husband (Jewish) feels the same way about attending Church with me (Catholic). He will go if I ask him but he gets bored and doesn't much like it. He doesn't complain though, and does it out of love. I used to ask him to go with me on holidays but now I just have him go on Mother's Day. The holiday services are long and late at night, and it's easier for me to go alone and have him babysit :-)

I don't think your husband is unusual, and I understand your sadness. It took me awhile to get used to going alone and accepting the situation. At times it is still a little sad for me but it's getting better. I think you should keep asking him to go on holidays, if you feel really don't want to be alone. It's too bad there is no synagogue near you; it would be nice if you could also attend holiday services with him.

Anyway good luck. It's nice to hear from someone going through what I'm going through. And I know how you feel about prayer in a synagogue; I feel I'm praying to the same God in a church or a temple. I don't think about the whole Jesus thing at all. It's just "god" whatever you call it. :-)

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more to jmop

Author: Elise (66.7.177.---)
Date: 02-28-02 21:34

Jmop: one other thing that is kind of funny. We go to a church that has coffee and donuts after mass, and my husband *loves* this. He says the goyim have it made -- in and out in an hour, and you get donuts afterward :-)

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Passover and Easter

Author: Judie (---.as21.nwbl0.wi.voyager.net)
Date: 03-05-02 12:10

Fred is right. There's nothing wrong with Jews going to church on Easter. After all, don't forget that Jesus was a Jew!!!!!

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Author: Nancy (---.alink.com)
Date: 03-05-02 12:27

Of course, both Jews and Christians know Jesus was a Jew but each faith look at him differently, very differently..........

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Author: Sam (---.ivicm.com)
Date: 03-06-02 12:47

Karl Marx was Jewish. Does that mean that I should go ahead and attend a Communism convention? (This is NOT to compare Jesus to Marx, only to show the faulty reasoning involved.)

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passover veggies

Author: Elise (64.128.149.---)
Date: 03-08-02 09:12

Can someone tell me what vegetables are OK to cook on Passover?
I know that Peas are not allowed.
What about green beans?
I made asparagus last year. I have seen broccoli recipes, and spinach recipes, for passover. Also zucchini.
I would really like to make green beans...

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Passover veggies

Author: Susan (---.as13.nwbl0.wi.voyager.net)
Date: 03-08-02 13:36

Elise:

Beans, peanuts, and legumes fall into that category of foods which Sephardim (Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, or North African ancestry) eat during Passover, but Ashkenazim (Jews of German, Polish, Russian or East European ancestry) do not eat during Passover. There are so many other good foods, especially vegetables, which are available, you can live without the beans for one week. It makes the most sense to see what's fresh.

Here are some links to more information about Passover foods:

http://www.star-k.org/ind-pesach.htm
http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/06-index.html

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Reply to Jmop

Author: Sylvia (---.bluebird.ibm.com)
Date: 03-08-02 16:04

I know exactly how your husband feels. As a 'born-again' Christian, your chuch believes that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. I imagine he feels very uncomfortable going to any church that is telling him indirectly that he is not 'saved' unless he accepts Jesus as his Saviour. And Easter service would be especially difficult because the entire point of Easter is not about bunnies and eggs, but the resurrection of Jesus as the saviour of the entire world.

I am Jewish and my husband is a 'born-again' Christian. I have been to his church only once. They were all very, very friendly, but I was uncomfortable with the songs and the sermon (you are a sinner and your only redemption is through the blood of Jesus). On the other hand, if my husband goes to temple, he hears praise to God and no one tells him he has to be a Jew to be saved. (He doesn't like the Hebrew or the structured service, but that is another thing altogether).

It's a lot easier when you're both of the same religion, that's for sure. But the way you feel at 25 may not be the way you feel at 50. So now we are 2 former agnostics, who love each other very much, going our own spiritual ways. That's life.

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Passover/Easter

Author: Jennifer (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 03-10-02 00:03

Jim,
I came across your article while searching for articles on passover family traditions. It's funny that I landed on this site because I've never heard of it. I'm doing the sedar this year in my house for the first time. I came from an inter-faith family. My dad is Catholic, and my mom is Jewish. My husband is Jewish and we will be raising our children as Jewish, but we will also celebrate the Christian holidays because they are a part of my life.

I just wanted to let you know that you're children will grow up with a wonderful tolerance and understanding of both religions. I'm so glad that I was raised with both. I'm having the big family sedar this year--I'm a little nervous as my in-laws are much more religious than my parents. I'm so thrilled that everyone will be celebrating the holiday together.

P.S. I attended the Univesity of Michigan. Go Blue!!

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Passover & Easter

Author: Fred Bluestone (---.158.54.172.Dial1.Miami1.Level3.net)
Date: 03-11-02 07:11

FRIENDS:

I HAVE NOT WRIITEN ANYTHING IN SEVERAL WEEKS; HOWEVER, IT'S NOW TIME 4 ME 2 ADD JUST 1 SUGGESTION: WHETHER U CELBRATE PASSOVER OR EASTER ...OR BOTH, HAVE FUN, ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

LET'S STOP WORRYING ABOUT "section 7.987.bg, article 9.09, paragrapha(4)7,
sub-paragraph 234b(14.34567Lk)9b3." of the Torah, Quran or Tibetan Book of the Dead. THIS IS THE TIME TO RENEW OUR FAITH IN G-D. I'LL TELL U Y! (it's so simple): HE EXISTS, HE CREATED THE COSMOS & HE WANTS US 2 PRAISE & WORSHIP HIM ...NOT BECAUSE OFHIS EGO AND HIS NEEDS; RATHER, FOR OUR NEEDS.

B-4 WE GO OVERBOARD ON THE LAW, THE RULES, THE REGULATIONS
& THE SPECIFICS (down 2 the decimal point) LET MY WISH ME WISH MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS "HAPPY EASTER," MY JEWISH FRIENDS "GOOD PASSOVER" & 4 MY MESSIANIC & MIXED-FAMILY FRIENDS "A GBOOD & HAPPY BOTH!

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Harmony

Author: Nancy (---.alink.com)
Date: 03-11-02 10:01

Fred,

If all of us were open and know that we all worship the very same G-d, what better place our world would be! Happy holidays, everyone.

Nancy

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Author: Bryce (---.ivicm.com)
Date: 03-11-02 12:34

Hi Gang,

To Nancy who said: "we all worship the very same G-d"--

My friend described to me the ashram he attends. Each person bows down in front of a different saint or avatar who he/she thinks is/was God. My friend's God (named something like Swavi Vantathar) died in the late 1950s. I asked him if everyone there thinks they worship the same God. His answer was, "Wellllllllll...."
Besides, I hate to be pessimistic, but look at the two religions whose God is most similar: Judaism and Islam. What a better place the world would be if.... (fill in the blank.)

To Fred, who said (calmly, I'm sure) "HE WANTS US 2 PRAISE & WORSHIP HIM " I can't argue with that. However, does He or does He not have limits as to HOW people should worship Him?

To Jennifer: Would you like to be challenged with a Jewish IQ test (just 20 questions)? http://www.njop.org/html/iq_test.html Let us know how you did.

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Author: carol (207.106.229.---)
Date: 03-12-02 10:33

Thanks for posting the IQ test. I got all but Moses' birthday.

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Author: jmop (206.105.8.---)
Date: 03-12-02 12:32

Hello everyone~

This is so interesting to read everyone's replies and how they feel and how they are dealing with similar situations. Thank you so much for your responses & insight. I don't know anyone else personally who is in an inter-faith marriage, so it is so wonderful to have found this site, to be able to share with others and understand more. I'm looking forward to more discussions and topics. :)

Elise ~ thanks for your response! I feel less alone connecting with someone else who is experiencing something similar! That's cute about the donuts! We have them too, only before service.

Sylvia ~ thanks for sharing your side, which helps me to understand how my hubby feels. I know he has said that he feels like if he went to my church that everyone would be looking at him in the hope that he would believe in Jesus! And I can't say that he would be wrong in thinking that. So I understand how it would make him uncomfortable. It's just hard to adjust, for both him and I, that we have this separateness that we didn't have before. Like you said, who you are when you marry is not always who you are down the line.

When we married almost 4 years ago, my faith was very lax, as was his, so it didn't matter much to us that we were of different faith, because we were in love. We had a beautiful outdoors ceremony with traditions from both our backgrounds. I feel that I would advise anyone considering a mixed faith marriage, to consider very strongly what they are getting into, because the strain is very hard at times. But then again, if I had to do it over again, I know I would chose my same husband!! I love him so much and we have a very good marriage, despite the difference in our faith.

I know some have said, well why can't we just all have the same faith and believe that G-d is G-d no matter what you call him. Basically all I can say to that is simply: no matter how much you wish that is how things would be, they aren't. The fact that people believe in different gods is a reality and must be treated that way and not simply brushed aside with wishful thinking. The dialog here seems to be a great step in opening the lines of communication, not to brush aside or ignore our differences, but to understand and accept them.

Thanks for listening!! :)

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Author: Bryce (---.ivicm.com)
Date: 03-19-02 17:03

A comedian tells of his experiences with Passover and Easter at http://jewsweek.com/society/225.htm Enjoy.

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Bryce

Author: Nancy (---.alink.com)
Date: 03-19-02 18:28

Enjoyed the article. Thanks for sharing.

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Passover Easter Issue - Page 1

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