My answer....

Submitted by Celina (United States), Jun 28, 2006 at 17:27

Hi Laura,

Yes, this has been brought up and we both have our feelings on it. My husband is rooted in Islam but he is not very "religious." When we do talk about our faiths he never really has an answer as to why he believes what he does...for him, it's really all he's ever known. When we do talk about the Quran and what it says about Jesus (they claim he is just a prophet as you know) he can't substantiate anything. In other words, he was raised Muslim and he knows Islam (to a degree) but asking him the who's and why's and what's of his religion and he really couldn't tell you. He doesn't pray 5 times a day. He is deeply rooted in the mysticism of the religion and he truly thinks God is keeping track of all your good deeds and bad deeds. I tell him all the time that he is not. He is very fearful of God. He has absolutely no personal relationship with God. I tell him all the time that my God is a loving God. He doesn't get it.

Anyway, to your question: No we do not have any children...There are many aspects of the Islam faith that I like: The respect to elders, the complete obediance to God and his willed plan for our lives, the close family ties, their desire to do "good", the faithfullness to their faith. Think about it...how many "Christians" defend their faith they way Muslims do. As much as I disagree with what they believe, I respect their conviction...if only we Christians were more convicted. Those things I want to incorporate in my children...these are good things I want my child to know. But my children will know about salvation through Christ. This will be extremely hard, not so much for my husband, but his family who live in Morocco. However, they know I am Christian and we live in the USA which is much more supportive of the Christian faith by and large.

I have heard stories of Inter-faith couples who's husband was Muslim and they were at the baptism of their child and everyone was so proud but when you looked over at the husband, he just had tears pouring down his face. That is something I am very conscious about and it will be difficult for him. That is the reality of our marriage I suppose. I have always thought that you can raise your Children to have a deep faith and ultimatlly they will choose their own path. I would love to think that my Children choose Christ and I pray that they do..but you don't know. When they become 18 they have the right to do as they please. I've seen it...hopefully that won't happen to us. Anyway, again,i think it just depends on how and what your husband is and how much of Islam leads his life. My husband has become very "Americanized" so that certainly helps...he still has his moments though!

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".