Advice on converting my Muslim boyfriend.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thyme
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Thyme

Guest
Hello!

I have a really open-minded Muslim boyfriend. When I say open-minded, I mean that he believes that it doesn’t matter what religion you are and that he believes the Bible isn’t corrupted, just the interpretation is. He even believes in Our Lady of Fatima and other Catholic apparitions/miracles. However, once he did say that he would never convert from Islam.

He hasn’t read the Bible yet, but over Christmas (we’re busy with work) he will so that he can compare it to the Qu 'ran. I was wondering what version of the Bible I should give him. I have the Douey Rheims, but you can also buy a copy of it with only the Psalms and the New Testament. Or should I buy him a copy of the NAB? If so, the full Bible, or would just the New Testament be best?

I’m also going to crochet him a pillow for Christmas and am planning on putting a blessed green scapular inside the stuffing, then saying the prayer everyday on his behalf. Would this be a valid devotion?

I also have an audio rosary, which I listen to when getting ready for university, praying for his conversion. Then at Mass, when there is a moment of silence, I tell God I want to dedicate my devotion of going to Mass for the conversion of my boyfriend…

I try not to talk about religion much, I don’t want him to feel like I’m pushing beliefs onto him. When we talk about it, it’s usually me asking about his religious practices.

What do you think of this, and does anyone have any better suggestions or additional advice?

Thank you for taking your time to read this. It would be so great to take him to RCIA(sp?) meetings one day and to teach him the rosary etc… 😃
 
I applaud your loyalty to the Catholic faith and the faith in converting him. Keep in mind that most Muslims feel strongly, that their religion is pure to them. Muslims who are truly devoted to their religion typically have difficulty believing in Christ in the way we know Him. Also, most Muslims who are either “open-minded” or “Americanized” and do not practice Islam as often, typically gravitate further to Islam as they get older and find themselves around family members as they get marred and etc. My family is actually from the Middle East and speak Arabic, except we are Catholic Arabs. My family pretty much grew up in a Muslim world just before immigrating to the USA so I have an idea of how some Muslims may think.

*If I had to suggest anything it would be to eventually show your boyfriend stories of Muslims who have converted to being Catholic, here is one:
catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0805500.htm

My other suggestion is that, regardless of how much you love him and how hard your pray, he may decide otherwise and then, your faith maybe tested!

Keeping you both in a prayer!
 
Bring up the fact that you only want to raise your children to be Christian, not Muslim.

Stop asking questions about Islam. Start asking him what he thinks about aspects of your religion, esp., Jesus. Point out the differences between your Jesus and his Jesus.

Be bold, because if you deny the real Jesus, then the real Jesus will deny you to his Father in heaven.
 
Thank you for your replies. I will have a longer look at those websites tomorrow evening.

On one of the sites (can’t remember which), it mentioned Mary’s apparitions and their connection with Islam. Maybe the Marian apparitions are the best way to get him thinking, seeing as he believes in Our Lady of Fatima. I even explained Purgatory to him once and since he doesn’t believe the Bible is corrupted, he believes in it as well :D.

I did once ask him about the personality of Jesus in the Qu ‘ran, but he couldn’t really remember much. I’m hoping that if he reads the New Testament, he will realise how beautiful Jesus’ personality really is. I really think that he will realies that there’s something missing in the Qu 'ran after reading the the New Testament. What are your opinions on this?

Also, about marriage. We discussed this once I told him that I would want to raise my children as Catholics and we now see this as a barrier in our relationship. I believe this is a temporary barrier because I have faith that God will try to convert him, and he’s probably hoping that I will convert to Islam :p.
 
Lady0Faith said:
My other suggestion is that, regardless of how much you love him and how hard your pray, he may decide otherwise and then, your faith maybe tested!

Keeping you both in a prayer!
Click to expand...
Thank you for your prayers!

Sorry, there is a lot to reply to, but this stuck out. I used to get frustrated, but after praying for patience, He gave it to me.

But why wouldn’t he be converted? God know the best way to bring him to the Church.
 
I would buy him a NAB. Try to get a St. Joseph or similar edition that has not only footnotes, but also an index in the back that references by Book/chapter/verse where evidence for certain Catholic beliefs and doctrines can be found.

I also would get him also a full Bible, not just the N.T./Psalms. While there are some minor similarities between the Genesis accounts and some of what is in the Qu’ran, they are mostly just names of people in events and rest pretty much diverges greatly. He really should read the Old Testament also since it is the lead-up to Jesus and the New Testament.

Do focus on marian beliefs as a way to bring him to greater understanding of Jesus. Mary is mentioned more times in the Qu’ran than any one person else.

Be prepared to answer questions. He’s bound to have some. 😉
 
Axe_Swipe said:
I would buy him a NAB. Try to get a St. Joseph or similar edition that has not only footnotes, but also an index in the back that references by Book/chapter/verse where evidence for certain Catholic beliefs and doctrines can be found.

I also would get him also a full Bible, not just the N.T./Psalms. While there are some minor similarities between the Genesis accounts and some of what is in the Qu’ran, they are mostly just names of people in events and rest pretty much diverges greatly. He really should read the Old Testament also since it is the lead-up to Jesus and the New Testament.

Do focus on marian beliefs as a way to bring him to greater understanding of Jesus. Mary is mentioned more times in the Qu’ran than any one person else.

Be prepared to answer questions. He’s bound to have some. 😉
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. That was really good advice. I just ordered the St. Joseph’s NAB. When he’s not stressed about work I will find a Marian apparition which he will be interested in. Do you have a recommendation? He knows about Our Lady of Fatima and I have told him the story of Lourdes. He believes in both :).

But in your own opinion, do you think that reading the Bible will make him think?
 
How much does he know about the apparitions in Fatima and Lourdes? If he knows just a little, then this is an opportunity to present him with more information on those to gain his interest. If he already knows a lot, then maybe you could introduce him to a different one, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Will reading the Bible make him think? Depends on how open and interested he is to reading the BIble. It is a big book written with many different styles and most people honestly can’t read it cover-to-cover which is why I suggested the St. Joseph version as it makes it easy for him to look for answers to specific questions or for specific topics that he may be interested in.
 
Axe_Swipe said:
How much does he know about the apparitions in Fatima and Lourdes? If he knows just a little, then this is an opportunity to present him with more information on those to gain his interest. If he already knows a lot, then maybe you could introduce him to a different one, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Click to expand...
Thank you 😃 That is a really good idea.

Well, he’s seen the film The 13th Day and I have told him that there are news paper articles even by skeptics who acknowledge the Miracle of the Sun and he knows about the secrets and that one of the prophesies was about the Holy Father. He has no problem with this.

I told him a summary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but did mention the studieds of the tilma, proving that it was a miracle and he also believes. I wonder if he would still believe it if I told him that Mary came to convert them to the Catholic faith though.
Will reading the Bible make him think? Depends on how open and interested he is to reading the BIble. It is a big book written with many different styles and most people honestly can’t read it cover-to-cover which is why I suggested the St. Joseph version as it makes it easy for him to look for answers to specific questions or for specific topics that he may be interested in.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I didn’t realise it has answers to specific questions. It’ll be really interesting to look at when it arrives on Tuesday. Does it explain things such as the divinity of Christ really well?
 
The Doctrinal Index in the back is what makes it easy to look for answers in regards to Catholic doctrines and disciplines. I believe it also contains a biblical dictionary.
 
If he believes the Bible isn’t corrupted, then he should read it.

My sister dated a guy (against my parents’ wishes, at first) who was an atheist. He read the Bible, The Case for a Creator, and The Case for Christ while discussing it with some guys in our youth group and my dad. God’s Word works wonders!

But if that isn’t working out for you, hey! There’s no wake up call like a break up.

I know everyone on this board is going to tell you that you shouldn’t be dating him. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” That’s probably only going to make you angry, but it’s sound, biblical advice - a command, really.

I love you for caring about this guy’s salvation. Just don’t let your heart get broken in the process.
 
Thank you again for your replies. They really are helpful.

Regarding breaking up with him- well I really simply don’t want to, but I don’t think I’ll marry a non-Catholic. I would want my husband to agree with the way I would bring them up and would want him to set an example as well.

We are both aware that we may not be able to stay with eachother due to our beliefs- which is ironic because religion should be bringing us closer together :(.

I’ll make sure I post after the Christmas holidays, saying what he thinks of the Bible… and maybe if he converts 😃
 
I find it of little help or interest to debate theology, the Bible or Quran. IMHO the proof is in society and how each religion, as a matter of fact “all religions” interact with society.

Human Rights is the area of concern. We as humans are failing miserably in this area. And the only Faith I see making a constant effort to help the poor, homeless, sick, children and women etc, is the Catholic/Christian Faith.

God Bless, GT
 
Thyme said:
Hello!

I have a really open-minded Muslim boyfriend. When I say open-minded, I mean that he believes that it doesn’t matter what religion you are and that he believes the Bible isn’t corrupted, just the interpretation is. He even believes in Our Lady of Fatima and other Catholic apparitions/miracles. However, once he did say that he would never convert from Islam.

He hasn’t read the Bible yet, but over Christmas (we’re busy with work) he will so that he can compare it to the Qu 'ran. I was wondering what version of the Bible I should give him. I have the Douey Rheims, but you can also buy a copy of it with only the Psalms and the New Testament. Or should I buy him a copy of the NAB? If so, the full Bible, or would just the New Testament be best?

I’m also going to crochet him a pillow for Christmas and am planning on putting a blessed green scapular inside the stuffing, then saying the prayer everyday on his behalf. Would this be a valid devotion?

I also have an audio rosary, which I listen to when getting ready for university, praying for his conversion. Then at Mass, when there is a moment of silence, I tell God I want to dedicate my devotion of going to Mass for the conversion of my boyfriend…

I try not to talk about religion much, I don’t want him to feel like I’m pushing beliefs onto him. When we talk about it, it’s usually me asking about his religious practices.

What do you think of this, and does anyone have any better suggestions or additional advice?

Thank you for taking your time to read this. It would be so great to take him to RCIA(sp?) meetings one day and to teach him the rosary etc… 😃
Click to expand...
This is a no brainier if for a Christian. Do you think you can convert anyone? Is this not the work of God? I would give him the gospel and if he accepts it, then wait and see if the conversion is genuine; you will know them by their fruits. I am assuming neither of you are living outside the will of God in this relationship (i.e. **any **type of “messing around”); if by chance you are, then you have a whole different issue before God that would needs to be addressed before ANY progress will be made or blessing given.

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

That command, not open for discussion, from the Holy Spirit and is found in 2 Corinthians chapter 6. Its application is many fold, but for the marriage application it is probably the strongest. Commands of God often go against our natural human “feelings”; especially strong marital feelings, but “Father knows best” and He is to be honored in this. If one is a Christian, then it will be an easy choice-obey God; if it is not any easy choice, then self examination is in order in my opinion and Scripture backs that up. I know that is hard, but God is trying to save a lot of pain and frustration down the road when many of those first “feelings” wash away.

I hope this is helpful to you; make the right choice and honor God.
 
Hello:(
Code: 
 This really pains me greatly because the truth is Muslim MEN are encouraged to date christian women with the sole intent of converting them to the Muslim faith. It is however, not permissible for a Muslim man to convert to Christianity for a woman. In short, he will never ever convert to Christianity and fully intends that you will convert at some point. There is no other way around it. My daughter dated a Muslim man in college who coerced her into having an abortion saying because she was not yet Muslim she could not have his child but he assured her that after they were married and she converted that they would have many children. She left him and converted to Catholicism and is married to a catholic man. She too believed that she could convert him and didn't know anything about his faith so she just assumed that he loved her and would allow her to be a christian. What a rude awakening!
Take Care M.
 
Originally Posted by Big Dummy
Click to expand...
Stop asking questions about Islam. Start asking him what he thinks about aspects of your religion, esp., Jesus.
Click to expand...
illmatic said:
Close-minded attitude is not a good move. I think this is awful advice.
Click to expand...
I think “Big Dummy’s” advice is spot on. The OP said that “usually” she is the one asking questions about his faith, indicating a bit of a one-way thing going on.
If he, the Muslim boyfriend, is close-minded about learning about her faith, then she needs to turn that dynamic around.
 
That is so great your Muslim Boyfriend is so open to Catholic Teaching. Blessed Be the Lord and The Wonders of His Work. 🙂
 
Hi. I’m a Protestant (for now). I’m looking at the Catholic Church with an eye toward possibly converting. And the further along I get in that process the more I realize, despite their similarities, how seriously different the two churches are. I didn’t really expect that. I viewed my Protestant friends who saw Rome as a foreign planet as burdened by generations of cultural and institutional prejudice and that I, with my love of Chesterton and Waugh and Eliot and Greene, was uniquely positioned to appreciate the great harmonies between the two sects. I’ve discovered that Crossing the Tiber is more than another lovely antique Catholic phrase- that it’s a metaphor for both the bewildering strangeness and difficulty of the journey. Crossing a foreign river on a life raft. I say this because I’m not sure you really understand what it means for a Muslim to convert to Christianity, let alone Catholic Christianity. It’s hard enough from Protestantism, a neighboring country. Islam is the far country (or one of them at any rate). It and Catholicism scarcely share the same soil.

And Islam, to its credit, takes itself very seriously. No doubt there are casual Muslims but a casual Muslim is not a casual Christian. If there are cafeteria Muslims they choose between a baked potato and a boiled potato. So I wouldn’t expect much. I tend to think evangelical dating is a bad idea- scripturally unsound and all the rest- but even on secular terms Muslims are not ripe for conversion of any kind. You’re liable to end up disappointed and maybe even spiritually bruised.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top