I personally wouldn't. I personally wouldn't recommend it. But I also have enough experience with family and friends in this situation, to understand why they do.
The Christian meets a nice, loving, non-alcholic, non-drug addicted, non-addicted to porn, non-wife/husband beater, who happens to be an unbeliever.
It's not that they are hostile to Jesus, it's just that they see no need for "religion". The Christian and the unbeliever get along well, share many interests, and the bond develops. The unbeliever doesn't mock the Christian or the faith, it's just that they don't participate. They don't try to stop the Christian from doing their Christian thing. To the unbelieving "other" the Christian thing is just the "hobby". So no need to get all crazy over the difference.
The Christian and unbeliever share the same values pretty much. The unbeliever isn't going to make an issue if the Christian wants to raise the kids in church. The unbeliever will just spend their Sundays watching the news and doing crosswords. After church they'll take the family out for brunch.
Given those realities, I more than understand WHY a Christian may marry an unbeliever. Should they? NO!
You know people say these things and on the surface it may appear that they share the same values, but I feel like, once you scratch the surface major cracks will appear.
For starts I would wonder if the Non Christian would like the kids going to church EVERY weekend, he would want to do things occasionally. In addition to this, what happens when the kids turn 12 and decide they don't want to? You can't really drag them by the ear if the Non Christian spouse isn't supportive.
In addition to this, is the Non Christian going to enjoy where you spend your time? If you don't have as much time for him/her because you are always doing church things, bible study every week, constantly involved in ministry and preaching to people.
What about money? I feel like Christians in the West are often very... unwise and sometimes uncaring in the way they spend their money. What happens when you start wanting to donate 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% 75% of your income to charity? I don't think they are going to enjoy it when, instead of going on an expensive holiday to Europe you decide to donate that money overseas and go to a caravan park for the weekend instead...
What if you ever feel like you should go somewhere because of the gospel? To support a church, to help out somewhere? Being a missionary is off the cards and I doubt your spouse will want to go with you elsewhere.
Not to mention the lack of encouragement, the lack of understanding in relation to your faith. What if you got hurt in a church, and it will probably happen to most of us at some point. Instead of being told to persevere he/she might just go 'just stop going, you've got me.'"
If you are married you want to be working as a team, going in the same direction... If one person is heading towards God and the other away from him, I don't see why you would make the choice to marry them.
Once the commitment is made it's a different thing, but considering these things?
No... I'd rather a Christian any day. And a Christian prepared to make some sacrifices.
