Reza Aslan and Jessica Jackley Describe How They Make Their Interfaith Marriage Work

I know, I know. Reza Aslan doesn’t have a whole lot of fans on this site for drastically understating the role of Islam in terrorism.

But this TEDx talk he recently gave with his wife Jessica Jackley, a co-founder of the microlending site Kiva, about interfaith marriage is really, really good. (Jackley grew up as an evangelical Christian, while Aslan is a Muslim.)

They discuss how marriages between people of different religious beliefs (including atheists) are happening more often, how and why they can work, and how they’re handling the differences with their own kids.

When it comes down to it, they say, all couples are inter-belief, even if their disagreements aren’t centered around religion. You just have to navigate that issue as you would any other — which is possible if you respect your partner enough not to want to convert him or her. It’s not for everybody, but it’s not out of the question.

Seems like a good time to mention that my friend Dale McGowan wrote an excellent book on this topic, specifically focusing on atheists in relationships with religious people. It’s called In Faith and In Doubt, and I’ve lost track of how many people I’ve recommended it to.

(Thanks to Amy for the link)