BLESSED ARRANGEMENTS FORUM ON FAITH TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF INTERMARRIAGE.Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer ENCINO - Is it possible for a Jew and a Bahai to get married in a Lutheran church? The answer to this and similar questions can be posed at the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. Interfaith Council's presentation of ``What My Faith Tradition Tells Me About Inter-Marriage'' on Sunday. The discussion will be held on two consecutive Sundays and will explore various combinations of intermarriage in·ter·mar·ry intr.v. in·ter·mar·ried, in·ter·mar·ry·ing, in·ter·mar·ries 1. To marry a member of another group. 2. To be bound together by the marriages of members. 3. , including marriages that cross religious, racial, ethnic or cultural lines. ``It's amazing the amount of money and planning that is put into the wedding ceremony by couples, but there's no planning for their future life together,'' said the Rev. Jeffrey Nelson, who will be one of the four speakers at the event. ``They haven't even considered seeking premarital counseling.'' Various fears, not just a time factor, may be the reason why couples decline premarital counseling. Nelson believes that a preconceived notion Noun 1. preconceived notion - an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence; "he did not even try to confirm his preconceptions" parti pris, preconceived idea, preconceived opinion, preconception, prepossession that he will ``sit in judgment'' regarding couples living together before marriage might turn people away. But fear of discussing sensitive issues or issues they don't see eye to eye on may be other factors. Nelson may not have been asked specifically if a Jew and a Bahai could get married at his Van Nuys church, Christ the King Lutheran Church. But he fields plenty of calls from couples ``calling cold'' as they search for a pastor and a site for their ceremony. ``Usually they call me when they don't have a home church. But when they hear that I require a number of sessions for premarital work, they call someone else,'' Nelson said. Meeting the challenges of interfaith marriage and learning how he can help couples plan for a successful future life are two of the topics that Nelson will bring up during his presentation. ``I've seen interracial in·ter·ra·cial adj. Relating to, involving, or representing different races: interracial fellowship; an interracial neighborhood. and intercultural marriages work. When two come from different cultures, respecting and honoring each other's traditions can add a lot to a marriage. They have the potential to grow in their own faiths,'' Nelson said. ``There are far more problems with marriages between different religions or marriage between a nonbeliever and a believer. A Christian marrying an atheist is probably the most difficult marriage because there's the intolerance factor.'' Robert Merrill Robert Merrill (June 4, 1917 – October 23, 2004) was an American operatic baritone. While there has been dispute of his birth year (some claim he was born in 1919), the social security index, his family, and even his gravestone states that he was born in 1917. , a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ Church of Jesus Christ may refer to:
``The Mormon church The Mormon Church is a religious body founded in 1830 in Fayette, New York, by Joseph Smith. It is also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or LDS Church. There are 7.7 million Mormons worldwide. doesn't really have a policy for or against interracial marriage. We regard weddings as a very sacred ceremony. The main goal for members of the LDS LDs See: Liquidated damages church is to be married in a temple, like the one over the hill (on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles
Rabbi Jim Kaufman of Temple Beth Hillel in Valley Village is planning to focus his presentation on the definition of interfaith marriage and how the different branches of Judaism view intermarriage. ``There are different strategies nationally. Some discourage it but some wholeheartedly whole·heart·ed adj. Marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm: wholehearted approval. whole embrace the idea (of interfaith marriage). The goal of this evening is to broaden people's knowledge. Any opportunity I get to educate people I accept wholeheartedly,'' Kaufman said. A representative from the Bahai faith will also take part in the discussion. After each presentation, there will be a discussion by the panelists followed by questions from the audience. The ``What My Faith Tells Me About Inter-Marriage'' discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday. The second part, with representatives from Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist and Islamic faiths, will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 27. Both presentations will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5338 White Oak Ave., Encino. Call (818) 718-6460. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: ``I's amazing the amount of money and planning that is put into the wedding ceremony by couples, but there's no planning for their future life together.'' - the Rev. Jeffrey Nelson |
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