Islam And Marriage

[LazyGun]

What does Islam have to say about Muslim men marrying non-muslim men who are not "people of the book" ( ie christian or jewish?)

What does Islam have to say about Muslim women marrying non-muslim men? and what reason does it give for this guidance?

What religion should the children of a marriage between a muslim man and a non-muslim female be brought up in? Or should they be allowed to choose for themselves?

There you go, Lightbulb - separate thread. What does your religion tell you about these issues?

[lightbulb247]

well, in islam men cannot marry men so thats that

a muslim women cannot marry a non muslim man, however recently that is becoming more common

the children should be brought up as muslims, yet when they come of age they can pick for themselves whatever religion they want. again, that is up for debate as many get brought up by the womens faith.

there you go lazygun, now here comes the criticisms.

[ummmm]

Surely they'd have to convert?

[sandyRoe]

But if the children were brought up as Muslims and decided to change to another religion wouldn't they be in peril of being charged with apostasy?

[LazyGun]

@ Umm Doh - grammatical error on my part.

First question should have read "What does Islam have to say about Muslim men marrying non-muslim WOmen who are not "people of the book" ( ie christian or jewish?) "

My bad, and good spot :)

[lightbulb247]

obviously the muslim father may not like it but he cannot do anything, when they are of age they can make their own choice.

[lightbulb247]

//First question should have read "What does Islam have to say about Muslim men marrying non-muslim WOmen who are not "people of the book" ( ie christian or jewish?) " //

yes, they can only marry christians and jews, but they cannot force the wife to convert, she will only do so if she wishes

[lightbulb247]

have answered your questions?

[sandyRoe]

Isn't the penalty for it death?

[tonyav]

lightbulb247
obviously the muslim father may not like it but he cannot do anything, when they are of age they can make their own choice.


So that wouldn't be regarded has bringing dishonor on the family then ?.

[lightbulb247]

in radical islamic countries which twist islam to suit what they want to believe yes. In moderate, mainstream islam, no.

[LazyGun]

@Lightbulb - Of Course, here come the criticisms.

Try this criticism first.
Islam is sexist.
If Muslim men are allowed to marry outside of the muslim religion - why does islamic teaching forbid muslim women to do the same? And what reason is given for this restriction?

Islam restricts free thought.
Why should the children of any faith automatically be brought up in that faith? Surely it would be better to allow the child to make an informed choice once they are old enough to appreciate the teachings, the pros and cons?

Islam is homophobic.
Marriage between men is forbidden. Why? What teachings within the Islamic faith forbid it?

This is my point from the other thread, Lightbulb. Belief in a fundamental tenet of your religion means you have the same label attached to you, if you believe and practice that tenet.

[lightbulb247]

//So that wouldn't be regarded has bringing dishonor on the family then //

the father would not like it, as said, but they can make their own choice, no matter what anyone else thinks. If you mean dishonor as in being shamed than no, if he/she chooses to follow another religion fine, what the family does than is to do with the family, not islam.

[sandyRoe]

One of my nieces, who is a nominal RC, married a Protestant. Some of his uncles and aunts never spoke to him again. So it's not just Islam that has problems with 'mixed' marriages.

[LazyGun]

And do not take the lack of an immediate response to mean you have answered my questions. It merely means I am doing something else :)

[sandyRoe]

What? Things to do more important than AB?

[LazyGun]

@Sandy - The question is aimed specifically at Islam for a reason - it was brought up in a conversation in a separate thread.

But I agree with you. Its not just Islam whose teachings can be repressive, sexist or homophobic. These are charges that can equally be levelled at the other Abrahamic religions too.

[naomi24]

The discussion on the other thread involved sexism. Lightbulb insists that Islam is not sexist, so I think the most fundamental question here is why can Muslim men marry people of other faiths, but Muslim women can’t? Is that not sexist – and does it not clearly demonstrate that inequality between the sexes exists within Islam? Lightbulb?

[lightbulb247]

firtly lazygun, as i have said in other threads, men and women have different roles. Mothers are more respected than fathers, infact, the quran states paradise lies under your mothers feet, meaning respect your mother and you will reach paradise. This clearly shows that women are seen as more important by the children and that the children respect mothers more than fathers.

the reason men can marry other religions is because muslim cannot marry people who associate idols with god, like hindus. If a women marries a hindu she may be pressureised into becoming hindu, which is totally the opposite of islamic belief. Of course, if she wanted to become a hindu, than fine. Also, as simmilar in british law, the women normally takes on the mans surname and often lives with the mans family. If she is living with a non muslim and she is a muslim that may be awkward and uncomfortable.

A child can convert when they reach of age. The reason they are brought up as muslims is simply becaue being brought up in two faiths would be confusing for anyone, so it is simple to follow one faith and as you take the mans surname, you take the mans religion as well.

//Surely it would be better to allow the child to make an informed choice once they are old enough to appreciate the teachings, the pros and cons?//

when they are of age, they can choose their religion.

The reason men cannot marry men is because it is impossile to genetically continue on your family line and also men marry women. That is how islam believes society works. Plus men and women are natural. This of course doesnt mean muslims should "hate" gays. No, i infact have a friend who is gay. Yes, i do not agree with it, but i respect him for who he is, a human.

[DJHawkes]

a girl at work married a turkish muslem she met on holiday 6 years ago, she's only 29 now, she's had hell and not been able to live over there with him and he's never been granted permission to come here, now he's found out that under new rules she won't be able to bring him over cos she doesn't earn enough, she has tried divorcing him over there but it's a nightmare, she went over to see him 8 weeks ago and he raped her because apparently it's not against the law , she's irish and should have known better as the irish are smart cookies i thought.

[andres]

I can remember when Protestants marrying Catholics was frowned on and vice-versa. My own father used to say --''Don't bring any left-footers home''.
Those of my friends who did marry Catholics had to take 'instructions' and convert to the Catholic religion. They also had to promise to bring their children up as Catholics.
I don't know whether this is still the case .