Marriage is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. This is a book aimed at helping the young person who is embarking upon the grand adventure of finding a life partner (although married couples will also find much of benefit in it). As with most things in life, there is a right way to go about this and a wrong way. But with the stakes so high, choosing the right person for the right reasons and establishing a solid and successful foundation for the relationship are crucial.Couples are encouraged to read this book together. It will take them through the process of preparing oneself for marriage, finding a life partner, working out whether he or she is the right one, enjoying an effective engagement period, and developing a sound and profound understanding of what marriage is all about, as a firm foundation for the lifelong adventure of marriage. Along the way, a number of issues are discussed, including: how to know that a decision is a good one; the beautiful meaning and symbolism of the ancient Orthodox rites of Betrothal and Marriage; difficult issues such as gender roles, abuse, intimacy, sexuality, contraception, and abortion; how couples can learn to understand one another and meet one another¿s needs; and the perilous danger and life-transforming beauty that is the mystery of marriage in the Orthodox Christian Faith. The approach taken is firmly based on both ancient Orthodox Christian principles and modern psychological principles, and is holistic and contemporary, seamlessly weaving together ancient wisdom and modern psychology into a single approach.

In the last decade, 45% of all marriages in the U.S. were between people of different faiths. The rapidly growing number of mixed-faith families has become a source of hope, encouraging openness and tolerance among religious communities that historically have been insular and suspicious of other faiths. Yet as Naomi Schaefer Riley demonstrates in 'Til Faith Do Us Part, what is good for society as a whole often proves difficult for individual families: interfaith couples, Riley shows, are less happy than others and certain combinations of religions are more likely to lead to divorce. Drawing on in-depth interviews with married and once-married couples, clergy, counselors, sociologists, and others, Riley shows that many people enter into interfaith marriages without much consideration of the fundamental spiritual, doctrinal, and practical issues that divide them. Couples tend to marry in their twenties and thirties, a time when religion diminishes in importance, only to return to faith as they grow older and raise children, suffer the loss of a parent, or experience other major life challenges. Riley suggests that a devotion to diversity as well as to a romantic ideal blinds many interfaith couples to potential future problems. Even when they recognize deeply held differences, couples believe that love conquers all. As a result, they fail to ask the necessary questions about how they will reconcile their divergent worldviews-about raising children, celebrating holidays, interacting with extended families, and more. An obsession with tolerance at all costs, Riley argues, has made discussing the problems of interfaith marriage taboo. 'Til Faith Do Us Part is a fascinating exploration of the promise and peril of interfaith marriage today. It will be required reading not only for interfaith couples or anyone considering interfaith marriage, but for all those interested in learning more about this significant, yet understudied phenomenon and the impact it is having on America.

Written by a certified sex therapist and his wife, this paperback edition of When Two Become One helps couples find sexual fulfillment with The Lovemaking Cycle©.

The Interfaith Family Journal is an invaluable resource for couples and family members practicing different religions (or none). Interactive exercises and creative activities help interfaith families decide how they want to honor their histories, cultures, and beliefs in ways that nurture joy, creativity, and empowerment. With space for writing directly in the book and suggestions for engaging in deep conversation, the book becomes a keepsake of the journey toward each interfaith family's unique practice and identity.

"One or Two describes as 'One-ism' and 'Two-ism,' the two ways of being spiritual. One-ism believes that everything that exists is of one substance and that the goal of theology, spirituality and even sexuality is to destroy all distinctions, and bring all things together. Two-ism believes that there is a God outside creation who made all that is not God and has structured creation for the good of humanity. Two-ism has implications in our theology, spirituality and sexuality. The book is based on the argumentation of the apostle Paul in Romans 1. Peter Jones analyzes the current cultural expressions of spirituality in light of these two approaches" -- Amazon.com.

The first comprehensive wedding guide specifically for the Jewish/Christian couple who wants to honor both religious traditions in their service, vows, and readings. Saying "I do" is one of the happiest moments in a couple's life together--but planning that trip to the altar can be a stressful ordeal. The minute an engagement is announced two full clans want to celebrate the union their way! When one of those families is Jewish (50 percent of whom now marry outside their faith) and the other is Christian, the religious details can increase the pressure on the bride- and groom-to-be. Celebrating Interfaith Marriages provides all of the expert advice on how to combine elements of the two faiths so everyone can rejoice with the bride and groom on their wedding day. Devon Lerner draws from her twenty years of officiating interfaith weddings as she discusses the significance of vows and traditions unique to both faiths and suggests how to incorporate them into a service that is balanced and beautiful. She provides Christian and Jewish services readers can mix and match, as well as custom-bled ceremonies contributed by couples who have worked with her over the years. There's a chapter on how to avoid crashes on issues like location, when the ceremony takes place, and whether the bride and groom should see each other before meeting at the altar. A full section of readings, both biblical and secular, are here too, as well as anecdotes that will reassure and amuse. No interfaith couple will want to be without this essential handbook when they plan their special day.