True Life: I'm in an Interfaith Relationship

I was watching True Life on MTV a few days ago. The show is a documentary detailing true life experiences (allegedly) of people in various situations. The only other time I watched the show it dealt with 3 families coping with poverty. That was a good show - sad, but good. The episode I watched the other day followed two married couples of differing faiths. One couple was Jewish/Protestant (Ira & Sasha), and the other was Lutheran/contemplating-becoming-a-Jehovah's-Witness (Travis & Jasmin).

In both cases, the (Jewish & Lutheran) guys were clearly less religious than the ladies; Sasha was a pretty rock-solid in her beliefs, and Jasmin was really excited about the things she was learning about the Jehovah's Witnesses. Ira tried to compromise and gain more understanding about whatever denomination Sasha belonged to (I'm not sure which denomination she belonged to. It was clearly Protestant, but her church also observed fasted for Yom Kippur), but Travis was openly hostile to all things JW. He accused Jasmin of changing and of becoming a different person than the girl he married, but, to his credit, did indicate that he would love her regardless. He made it quite obvious that the kids would be celebrating Christmas and having birthday parties though - no matter what Jasmin had to say about it. At the end of the show, Jasmin was still studying to become a JW, but she was (unhappily) helping Travis decorate the house for Christmas.

Ira came across as being henpecked, but he and Sasha appeared to be finding a middle ground. They were determined to raise their upcoming child as a "Jewstian". Ole boy got himself in some trouble when he snuck out to eat on Yom Kippur and got busted, when they were supposed to be fasting together and breaking the fast together. Sasha was clearly ticked off. At the end of the show the couple had moved to New York city and were searching for a church that would accomodate the both of their beliefs. Good luck with that.

I'd like MTV to give an update on these two families in a year or so. By that time Ira & Sasha will have had their child, and Jasmin will have completed the studies required of her to become a JW. I wonder how their marriages will hold up. It seems to me that it's easier for an interfaith marriage to survive if neither of the spouses are really seriously religious, or if they're serious, then their beliefs have to make the allowance that spouses religion provides a valid path to salvation, whatever that is.

Oh yeah: Down to 223 this morning.