Okay, so I honestly don't know whom to ask this because writingwithcolor has been closed for ages ... in my story, I have two side characters starting a romance. Person A is a middle-aged Iranian trans woman who's divorced and a devout muslima, person B is a young white woman with a Christian dad and a Jewish mum (isn't faithful herself but is familiar with faith). What kind of issues might come up in their relationship? (I have some ideas, but I'm afraid I'm missing something obvious.)
I’ll start with the disclaimer that I’m (more or less) not any of those religions, but here are some of my thoughts:
I’m writing this assuming that this isn’t set in Iran, because 1) I know nothing about Iranian law and so wouldn’t be able to help with that and 2) the answer would probably be super different.
First, I recommend doing as much research as you can on views on divorce, transgender and gay issues, and interfaith marriage in Islam, particularly in Shia Islam.
The first thing I would consider is how their parents would react. I’m assuming Person B’s parents aren’t particularly concerned about interfaith relationships, but that may or may not be the case. Alternatively, Person A’s parents may have different views on interfaith relationships. Consider that this is also an interracial relationship, which some people around them may or may not react negatively to.
Consider how Person B views her own religious upbringing. By Jewish tradition, she would be considered Jewish, as it’s passed down through the mother’s line, which is something that may or may not be important to her. Also think about which parts of each religion were practiced culturally with her. Did she go to a church growing up? A synagogue? Was she baptized? Did she go through a confirmation? A bat mitzvah?
As being Jewish is passed through the mother’s line, if the two of them had biological children and Person B was involved in that the children would be considered Jewish. Is that something she would care about? Is that something Person A would care about? What would be the expectation for any children they might have?
You said Person B isn’t faithful. Do you mean that she’s not practicing? Raised entirely non-religious? That she’s an atheist? Because she can be culturally Jewish while still being an atheist, in which case she would still be considered Jewish. Would she consider converting to Islam for Person A?
Consider what religious or cultural practices might conflict with each other. Consider also the assumed standards or ideas that each might have that are different. Which holidays would be celebrated, and how? Would Person A have an issue with being with someone who isn’t devout? Would person B have an issue with being with someone who is devout?
It’s not clear how big the age difference is, but consider how people would react to the age difference if it’s large enough. I know enough relationships where one person is 15+ years older than the other to know that people have weird reactions to it. People who see them out may assume that they’re not in a relationship but are instead related? How would they deal with that?
There is also the obvious transphobia and homophobia that they would likely encounter, which would likely be exacerbated by the other parts involved (that it’s an interracial relationship, the age difference, etc.).
I can honestly speak the most about (one version) of being the non-religious child of parents of two different religions, if that’s something you have more questions about.
