This is the first in a 2 part series on “Religion and Marriage” that will appear on the Marriage site here at Bella. I invite you to send in your comments and your own experiences on this subject. I also ask that you keep an open mind and respect for views that are not your own. Please remember that all religious and spiritual beliefs are respected here at Bella and that personal beliefs are sacred to the believer.

The title of this article is not meant to be offensive to anyone. It is, rather, a tribute to a man called Jesus and His importance to non-Christians. I am not a Christian, I am not Jewish; actually I am not a member of any conventional, mainstream religion and neither is Alan. Religion and spiritual beliefs have never been a problem in our marriage. After much searching, my spiritual beliefs are more in tune with nature and earth, the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, but I do believe in, and love, Jesus. Does this sound strange? It shouldn’t because I believe Jesus, His love and the beauty of His message is for everyone. Alan’s beliefs are more a mixture of many spiritual ideas but he also believes in Jesus. Our marriage has been richer because of our searching and finding.

A relative by marriage was appalled when she saw my husband Alan and me in a Roman Catholic Church one Christmas Eve. She “whispered,” loudly enough for me to hear, “what are they doing in my church? Jesus isn’t even their God!! He’s Christian!!” I didn’t want to tell her that Jesus wasn’t actually a Christian. He was a nice Jewish boy from a good, traditional Jewish family. He is God, so I would think no one group has sole rights to Him.

I am not trying to make light of people’s ideas about God, I am just saying how I feel. I once attended a lecture entitled, “Humanity and Divinity,” given by a visiting professor who was a Buddhist monk. In order to set up equipment for a short film he had to move a large statue of Jesus. He did this in a way that I have not forgotten. He bowed his head in front of the statue then lovingly lifted it and, with great reverence, placed it on the desk. At the end of the lecture, after putting away his materials, he put the statue back in its place with the same degree of care and reverence, again bowing with respect.

Historically, we know that Jesus actually lived as a human man; the Romans kept meticulous records, which are archived in the Vatican. I used to teach the history of the Roman Empire and there is definite mention of a man named Jesus of Nazareth.

It is increasingly popular for many scholars to have debates on the life of Jesus; whether He was married, whether He was indeed God, the role women played in His ministry and life, etc. Many of the conventional Christian sects are outraged at the mere mention of what you just read, but debate is a good thing. There are many people like Alan and me who are searching for someone or some belief that strikes a chord in our souls. Perhaps a non-Christian look at Jesus can be refreshing and open up new opportunities to believe. Jesus can be a part of everyone’s life.

If we look at the message of Jesus, it is one which transcends all religious and spiritual beliefs. He reaches all. Perhaps that is what He meant to do all along.