Christian-Muslim couples in the Veneto region, northeastern Italy: Dealing with religious pluralism in everyday family life. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cerchiaro, Francesco; Aupers, Stef; Houtman, Dick
• Is Part Of: Social compass. Volume 62:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Christian-Muslim couples -- inter-faith marriage -- mixed couples -- qualitative research -- religious pluralism; couples chrétien-musulmans -- couples mixtes -- mariage interreligieux -- pluralisme religieux -- recherche qualitative; Religion and sociology -- Periodicals; 306.605
• DOI: 10.1177/0037768614561151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-7686

Abstract

Based on a three-year ethnographic study of processes of identity construction in 15 Christian-Muslim couples in Italy, this paper focuses on religion and analyses how partners rely on various strategies in order to deal with religious differences within the context of family life. Does religious pluralism emerge as a problem actually perceived by those couples? Chosen as a paradigmatic case study of 'mixed' couples, the analysis shows how partners, united by a common purpose to minimize their religious differences, often overcome religious pluralism. Four strategies to accomplish this are distinguished: 'renunciation', 'closeting', 'conversion' and 'spiritualization'. It is concluded that what is defined in public debate as 'mixed' – in terms of religious differences – is not always experienced as such within the family context.