Is it possible for a conservative christian and a athiest to make a marriage work, raise kids and be happy.
I think that largely depends on the people involved. How important is your beliefs or lack of beliefs to you? Can it be something that you both feel comfortable to not talk about to each other for the rest of your lives or is it something you can talk freely about without getting emotional and upset at each other. I guess I’m saying that each situation is individual but I do believe it can be done.
I don't see why not. There's nothing on a marriage license that suggests that the couple has to think exactly alike and besides, that would be rather boring if they did. My wife, like her parents was a conservative Christian - we just didn't talk about it. She went to church and attended bible studies and all of that but because I don't feel the need to dominate her time - I didn't care. That was 30-years ago and we're still together. She's changed - something that I don't take credit for. I suspect that she was listening in on the conversations I was having with my kids - forcing them to think for themselves and to think outside the box. I quite honestly suspect that she learned something from their responses and evolved into a non-theist. Her parents are still conservative Christians but we don't talk religion or politics and it's worked for us. I honestly don't give two sh^ts about what other people think and that includes my wife and kids - it's great that we're now on the same page but I only care about what I think and I feel no need to defend it. Nor should those that think differently than I do.
My brother is in that exact situation. However, they both have to keep this part of their identity to themselves. We all wondered about our brother as we knew his wife was a flaming Christian. 2 years ago all the brothers (4) got together at my place and he admitted he had been an atheist for most of his life.
Why not if they truly love each other. Sounds a Jane Austen I know but true relationship goes beyond trivia such as religion and politics. Acceptance of our differences is what makes relationship authentic.
I think it would depend on deeper values that are only outwardly visible as political and religious beliefs. If the christian converted after being atheist or agnostic, I don't think there is any hope, same as if the atheist was militant about it. They have fundamentally different world views, and unless they are both open minded about other views and not just able to accept but really understand them, something I don't think 95% of individuals can do, so I give it a 0.0025% chance that should work based on made up numbers.
its just as likely for my ex to go off with a guy with a grey beard, and a fat stomach, married for 29 years and means fuck all