In the social sciences there tends to be a focus on weaknesses and why things go wrong. The American Families of Faith Project brings a much needed balance to the study of marriages and families by focusing on the features and origins of relational strengths and health.

Dr. Loren Marks and Dr. David Dollahite, co-directors of the American Families of Faith project, share thoughts about how their study of various families of faith has led them to a sense of deep admiration or “holy envy” for religious practices from other faiths.

Dr. David Dollahite, co-director of the American Families of Faith project, shares his thoughts on the familial power of sacred rituals among Jewish families. Through many wonderful experiences of participating in Shabbat observance with Jewish families, he has developed a deep sense of "holy envy."

Dr. Loren Marks, co-director of the American Families of Faith project, reflects on his "holy envy" for Asian Christian families in the United States. Their courage to embrace change in a new land, sincerely follow their beliefs, and serve through pragmatic collectivism are a few of the strengths to be admired among the Asian Christian community.

For some Asian American Christian families, faith is not only influential, it is central in their lives. In our research, we strive to present a strengths-based portrayal of exemplar Asian American Christian immigrant families by allowing participants to represent themselves, their marriages, their families, their faith, and their lived experience in their own voices.

Dr. David Dollahite, co-director of the American Families of Faith project, reflects on his sense of "holy envy" for Catholic and Orthodox Christian families in the United States. A simple, regular, patterned approach to asking and granting forgiveness smooths relationships within many of these families.

Religious beliefs, practices, and community can strengthen marriage and provide a significant protective factor against marital infidelity. What helps highly religious couples maintain a strong marriage and remain faithful in that marriage? A combination of relationship with God, strengthened moral values, improved relational quality, and a sanctified marriage.

Are you inviting God to be a direct guide in your marriage?

In marriage, as in any meaningful relationship, conflict is a certainty. Religiosity can have a positive influence on marital conflict. Conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and reconciliation can all be aided through religious practices and beliefs.

Some key virtues can positively influence a couple's marriage. Love, respect, patience, and forgiveness are some of the foundational ingredients that can make a great marriage.

During good times and difficult times, God can supply general guidance in marriage. When couples have difficult times in their marriages, they can gain strength by believing that God sanctions their marriage and remembering the times when He intervened to help their relationship.

Developing interpersonal traits through religious beliefs and practices can bless your marriage. An American Families of Faith participant shares how partnering with God to focus on his personal, emotional, and intellectual traits is blessing his relationships.

Religious involvement can help to sanctify your marriage. Spending sacred time together, creating a shared holy vision/purpose, developing desirable interpersonal traits, seeking and receiving divine guidance, and as a resource for resolving conflicts are all elements that can serve as a spiritual foundation for a strong marriage.

Even in the most faithful and relationally warm families, the approach which parents take in religious education and socialization has a big impact. This video shares six tips on how to balance your desire for religious continuity with your children's agency.

Why are religious youth willing to sacrifice for their faith? Some youth see it as giving up something good (or bad) for something better!

Are there ways that the children in your family are asked to sacrifice for their faith? When we asked a sample of religious youth this questions, we found six areas in which they sacrificed.

Attending mosque, church, or synagogue as a family can positively impact your most important relationships. By focusing on what's most important during worship services, forgiveness can pave the way to stronger family relationships.

God is always there to cheer you on!

Prayer can get you through anything and everything!

You are sustained by God's care during difficult times.

All experiences in life are in God's hands--you can give your burdens to God.

Religion can provide a framework for accountability in family relationships.