Interfaith Marriage and the Clintons

The news of Chelsea Clinton's wedding has been everywhere. I wish her and Marc Mezvinsky a happy, healthy marriage. I've read a few articles discussing the fact that theirs is an interfaith marriage - Chelsea is Methodist and Marc is Conservative Jewish.

Photo by Genevieve de Manio

Opinions on interfaith marriages vary greatly, especially when the discussion turns to children. If the couple hasn't discussed it privately and shared their plans with the families, it can turn very ugly very quickly.

It is my hope that Marc and Chelsea (and all other couples who got married this weekend) spent time planning their marriage. A big part of that is discussing the importance of each person's faith and how they plan to incorporate it into their new life.

When it comes to faith, couples have to consider holidays, important rites of passage, what to teach the children, and practicing one's own faith while supporting the other in their practice, just to name a few. I always say to couples...there is no right or wrong, you just have to decide what's right for you. Both partners have to be open and honest. They should take the time to discuss this very important aspect of life. It's a conversation that, hopefully, continues over the course of the marriage as a person's relationship with their faith can change over time. At the very least, it should be discussed before the wedding. That is what the engagement period is for. Isn't it?

To the newleyweds - Mazel tov! and Congratulations!

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