Christian+Views+on+Interfaith+Marriage

Vinay Koshy Christian views on interfaith differ between various denominations. Bans on interfaith marriage are primarily based upon a section in the Bible stating " Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (Corinthians 6.14). However interfaith marriages are also often defended based on another section, stating "the unbelieving husband is sanctified by through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband" (Corinthians 7.13). Besides these section, the Bible does not mention the topic of interfaith marriage. Of all denominations, the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church have the most well-defined regulations.

While interfaith Catholic marriages used to be relatively uncommon, in recent times, up to 40% of Catholics are in interfaith marriages in some areas. While the Catholic church does not encourage interfaith marriages due to conflicts that may occur, it doesn't actively discourage them either. A marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic baptized Christian is considered valid, as long as the Catholic spouse receives permission from the head of his/her diocese (a religious district under the supervision of a Bishop). A marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian is taken more seriously. The Catholic spouse must receive a "dispensation from disparity of cult" from the head of their diocese, a more rigorous form of permission. A unlike a marriage between a Catholic and a Christian, a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian is not considered a sacrament (Interfaith Marriages).

The Greek Orthodox church is stricter in terms of inter-religious marriage. In order to marry a non-Orthodox Christian, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church must promise to do everything in their power to raise their child as a Greek Orthodox Christian. The wedding itself must take place in an Orthodox church, and the non-Orthodox partner must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. However, the church is even stricter in regards to marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian. The church discourages this kind of marriage, and if a couple does get married, they will be unable to wed in an Orthodox Church, and will lose their sacramental privileges (Kostoupolos).

Interfaith Marriages. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, n.d. Web. 22  Oct. 2013.  church-teachings/interfaith-marriages/>. Kostoupolos, Eleni. "Interfaith Marriage." Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of  America. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.  archdiocese/departments/marriage/interfaith/guest-writers/  interfaithmarriage>.