Coppie miste, coppie interreligiose: anatomia di una definizione

ABSTRACT. The term “mixed marriage” could easily be used to describe a marriage between two people of difference race or nationality. However, the term also define the union of two people from different religious faiths, or a marriage between a believer and an unbeliever. Mixed marriages have taken place since the beginning of time, and even though hundreds, if not thousands, of these weddings occur each year, this marriages still met with resistance by either party’s family or friends, or by community and society in general. In more religions there is no ambiguity in Scripture on the matter of mixed marriages: it is strictly forbidden! It is important to understand that interfaith marriages are impacting every religious community, and each community is struggling to find ways to meet this challenge while maintaining their beliefs and customs. Now, the question is: “Is it possible for both husband and wife of a marriage of mixed religion to accept, understand and embrace their partner’s differences while maintaining their own?” And the bigger problem for each religion and the most difficult question for the interfaith couple is about children: “How we will raise the children?” And it is especially difficult when both partners are strongly identified with their traditions and faith. However today mixed marriages and mixed marriages between religions are becoming increasingly. We analyze the statistic data of interfaith marriages and bi-national marriages celebrated in Italy in the last years and the position of religions about this matter.