Raising Christian children?

[GingerSnap]

I am an American Christian married to a Moroccan Muslim. Before we got married, we agreed to raise our children as Christians, but we also want them to know Islam and Judaism. We currently live in US, but will be moving to Morocco. Our children aren't born yet. My question: Can I raise my children Christian, or will that be considered proselytizing?

[voltaires_priest]

I'd imagine you can do whatever you like. Some people (Muslim and otherwise) will approve, others won't.

Ultimately you settle your accounts with God and no-one else, so it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks about how you raise your kids. Least of all anonymous people on a message board

Either way, good luck with it and welcome to M.com


V

[Ma_Li_Ka]

I don't know if you are a man or a woman and it really does not matter to me...however it does to the Moroccan law! Because this law makes a certain difference, depending on situations. This has not so much to do with sexism, but because of traditions, culture and religion!

But I am sure, your spouse know the answer to your question, too? Yes?

[GingerSnap]

I am a woman. I know that under Moroccan law, our kids will be considered Moroccan citizens because their father will be Moroccan and that they'll need his permission to leave Morocco. My husband honestly doesn't know the answer to this question, as he's been in the US for the past 19+ years.

[LalaMimi]

I do not think there are legal restrictions for raising Children to be Christians, such as taking them to Christian Schools and churches etc; but there will be many people who will frown upon your hubby choosing to do that (esp if he still remains a Muslim), because it is not the norm... though, it depends where you will be in Maroc and the people you mix with.

I know there are complications when it comes to death and where to bury the dead of any particular religion.. a bit of a morbid issue, but this is something that happens to many people out there... The same rule applies as nationality - if the father is a Muslim, the dead child is buried with Muslims... but if the child had a Christian/Jewish father, he/she will be buried with the Christians/Jews.

I know that Non Moroccan Muslim reverts have to bring proof of their reversions to Islam, if the situation happens, that their child has died and needs to be buried in Morocco.

[GingerSnap]

Well, this seems to be good news for me so far. I don't really expect my husband to play an active role in the Christian upbringing of our children-- I just want to make sure that I'll be allowed to raise them in my faith without being considered a criminal. My husband hasn't really been a practicing Muslim here in the US, although I realize that's likely to change once he's back with his more religious family in a Muslim country.

I'm not too concerned with where we are buried just yet, but that's good information to know also.

Interestingly, as my husband was growing up, he was more religious than his family-- he was the only one who went to mosque with a friend, but his family has become more religious later in life. Is that common?

[Ma_Li_Ka]

With all due respect, BUT what Lala Mimi stated is incorrect.

There is no confusion with the death. As in most countries it is up to the family to take care of a burial. In 90% of the cases the deceased will be burried as a muslim. But there are the jewish and christian (mostly catholic)cemetaries. Any family would know, believe me!

As for schooling, there is indeed private schooling in Morocco. A lot of this comes from the time when Morocco was a French protectorat. These French schools, are called "La Mission", because it used to be Catholic missionaries that taught there. Everyone can go to la mission, jew, christian or muslim.

However and I looked it up. The law is quite clear on convertion in religion.
1. A child of a Moroccan male muslim is considered a muslim by birth.
2. A muslim child being raised in another religion IN MOROCCO with the consent of his muslim parent is a criminal offense according to the penal code of Morocco. Articles 220, 221, 222 and up.

In your scenarion your husband could end up in jail.

The last time someone got convicted and arrested for that was in July 2005. So it is not even something that is in the law, but outdated and tolerated.

And yeah, I am sure some people will also frown upon your husband, since he lets his kids be non-muslims. But that is the least of your worries.