Am I wrong to disapprove of my brother's intention to date one of my friends?

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My brother likes a bestfriend of mine, and he doesn’t know her; let’s call her Jennifer. He started entertaining thoughts of Jennifer when my mother suggested her to him. But my mother doesn’t know her, I do! My mother sometimes doesn’t think before she speaks–but of course, because mum said it, he’s been thinking about Jennifer a lot! Jennifer is a practising Catholic (like really practising: living-it-out-in-love-and-humble-service kind of practising). She deserves the best.

My brother has very many good qualities, but not for marriage, yet. I do not seem him as the spouse of my friend; he is unprepared. I see marriage, and so does the Church, as a holy vocation.

But while my brother deserves the best too, like Jennifer, I think he deserves the best only when he can be prepared to give the best. Does he even understand what marriage is? You see, he is not a practising Catholic, and does not hold the Church in very high regard. He has a very bad anger problem and talks down on almost everyone in the house, he tends to objectify women, does not care for how a woman should dress, gives in to unchaste thoughts or behaviour, swears and calls me and others in the family such demeaning names. But of course I am the “wacko” to him for considering all such things.

Divorce is not a problem for him. He cannot look beyond the superficial romantic, cuddly, kissing, part of dating, toward the purpose of dating. Sure he’s handsome on the outside and sure he puts on a gentlemanly facade in front of the women he likes, but I’m concerned for the marriage itself. A facade is ingenuine. Unless he is willing to become the facade he puts on, I won’t support it.

He is 26, yes, but very unprepared for marriage. She is 22, yes, but very wise, and very pure. I know he is attracted to her purity and innocence. Something he does not often see esp. among his circle of friends.

But I care about both of them. He doesn’t yet see the end for which dating is intended. He has spent his entire life consumed in the thought of women. He laughs at me when I ask him to consider any other vocation besides–GIRLS. He has not taken a good look at himself and thinks he is the best: “I am the best” he will repeat to me because he knows I won’t support or involve myself in bringing Jennifer and he together. (Contd…)
 
You can only do what you can.

He isn’t going to listen IMO.

But if this girl is as good as you say she is, then I don’t think you’ll need to worry about her…She’ll probably do what needs to be done and let him know he’s not right for her.
 
(CONTD…) Now my brother is asking for my help in bringing she and he together in some sort of “spontaneous” meeting at church. He rarely ever goes to Mass, he wants to come next Sunday to greet Jennifer and start a conversation. For one thing, one must go to Mass sincerely; it’s not a place to check out girls. You receive the Eucharist sincerely.

You may be wondering what my problem is…“unworthy, if Jennifer is wise…she will know how to say no”
While that is a possibility, I also know my good friend Jennifer to be a little flaky; she has trouble saying no, as many of us do. And when it comes to the “charm” of a man she has given me some reason to believe that she is easily swayed by passion. Even a woman striving to be holy can fall for an external image.
My brother is one of those very charming types, very handsome, and his sense of confidence gives him an air of authority. He can make a woman’s knees weak…including Jennifer’s. But I do not support it so I will not involve myself in it.

In the end, whether or not my brother pursues her, or if they meet will be beyond my control. I know that. But is it wrong for me to not involve myself in their meeting (that is to say, not play an active role in helping my brother meet Jennifer)? He is understandably upset at my disapproval but after some prayerful reflection, I’m more convinced than ever. I welcome any suggestions or words of encouragement at this point.
 
I think you shouldn’t help him.

Just my honest opinion.

If you suspect that something bad can happen between the two, then don’t encourage it by helping your brother.

Tell him he is not right for her. Heck, even tell HER he isn’t the right kind of guy.

If he actually likes her (some guys will be attracted to good girls, but this might not be the case here) then he might change, who knows?
 
unworthy - I don’t mean to be rude, but I think you are taking this way,way beyond normal sisterly/friendly concern. Your friend is a big girl. She can decide for herself whether or not to date your brother.

To answer your question, no, you don’t have to support it. But you don’t have to obsess over it either.
 
Hmm…Perhaps there’s another factor in this equation?

I don’t know…it just seems to me like the answer is fairly obvious, so there must be another factor that would complicate the issue.

Even though your friend may be susceptable to your brother’s charms, I think she will still handle it…Unless, as I said, there is something else going on, too.
 
Thanks for your replies.
Christina yes, I think I need to relax a bit 🙂 I just began to write this after an argument with my brother on this topic. I know it seems like I’m obsessing, but I really don’t think about it too much, just at the points when he asks me to get him hooked up with Jen.
Belgarion, the thing is, I have no one to talk to who understands. All I have is my brother calling me uncompassionate for not wanting to involve myself. It’s an obvious answer yes, but lately I have been questioning its “obviousness” because of his persevering interest in Jennifer.
 
Thanks for your replies.
Christina yes, I think I need to relax a bit 🙂 I just began to write this after an argument with my brother on this topic. I know it seems like I’m obsessing, but I really don’t think about it too much, just at the points when he asks me to get him hooked up with Jen.
Belgarion, the thing is, I have no one to talk to who understands. All I have is my brother calling me uncompassionate for not wanting to involve myself. It’s an obvious answer yes, but lately I have been questioning its “obviousness” because of his persevering interest in Jennifer.
Ah…I see.

There are a couple things you can think about or tell him
  1. If he’s so slick, why doesn’t he man up and “hook up” with her by himself.
  2. You’re being compassionate…just not to him. You’re safeguarding not only your friend’s body, but her heart as well.
Finally, I think his attitude is certainly appalling. If he indeed openly indulges in impurity, then he needs to work on himself before he is worthy of a treasure like your friend. Truly, that’s what a woman is, a treasure. And until he can treat women as such, or at the very least this one, then he is not ready yet. If he so dearly wants to be with her, does he realize that he’s got nothing to offer her? He doesn’t respect The Church, or the Mass. He doesn’t respect purity, or even his own family!!
You treat your wife like you treat your mother (and sometimes even your sister) and you’ll treat your kids like you treat your younger siblings. Does he really want that for your friend? Do you?
If he really has these problems, he needs to realize that and do something about it!

I apologize for being rather blunt about this…I know I’m not perfect either, and I guess my own desire to better myself is being projected onto this issue, isn’t it:o
 
I think you are counting the chickens before they are hatched. Your brother has not even met your friend and you are talking about marriage. If your brother wants to go to Mass, great! If Jennifer is there, the polite thing would be to introduce her as you would to anyone else and leave it at that.
 
unworthy, your brother might have an anger problem, but it sounds to me like you have a meddling problem.

Mind your own business!
 
unworthy, your brother might have an anger problem, but it sounds to me like you have a meddling problem.

Mind your own business!
I don’t know about MYOB all the way. As a girl I like it when my girlfriends at least let me know that a guy may be interested in dating me. It lets me get into the right mind frame so i am not thrown off if a situation arises. Guys are hard to read and if she(jennifer) is not necessarly looking she could miss his signals or throw off the wrong ones to him and in the end led him on. Introduce them and later on if your comfortable enough in your relationship with her then mention. “hey i think my brother might be interested in you” and if she asked then don’t get into brother/sister stuff but just go general with something like “He’s still growing and maturing in his faith and he has had a past.” Let her be the judge of him and maybe she will be the catylast to bring him home into the church but don’t fret too much and think too far ahead. She might just be able to see right through him if he is a charmer.
 
My advice is to back off. Don’t set up your brother–let him make the first move if and when he decides to. Your friend is an adult and should be able to see through your brother. And she’ll probably ask you some questions about him…then you can answer truthfully.

There is no need for you to “protect” your friend…simply be truthful and honest when asked and do nothing to facitilitate your brother.
 
If I were Jennifer, I would appreciate a “heads up” that the man in question is not the best candidate for marriage, at least not at the present time. If she is 22, then she is definitely of an age to be looking and considering men for spouses and could “fall in love,” making break up extremely difficult emotionally. She might assume that if her female friend, the OP, is a good practicing Catholic, that her friend’s brother is a good, practicing Catholic also, especially if she were to meet him / be introduced to him at Mass. (I sincerely hope he’s not planning on receiving Holy Eucharist if he’s been away from Mass, been involved in impure relationships, etc, and not yet been to Confession.)

Some may worry about the OP’s danger of committing the sin of detraction, telling (truthfully) of another’s faults and damaging his reputation in her friend’s eyes, but I think this is a case of giving legitimate warning for her friend’s sincere benefit. As another example, telling someone of a mutual friend’s drinking problem is necessary if (and only if) the listener is considering letting the drinker watch / drive her kids where they (the kids) could be put in danger by the drinker’s addiction. See the similarity?
 
…My brother has very many good qualities, but not for marriage, yet. And this is up to you? Why? I do not seem him as the spouse of my friend; he is unprepared.And this is up to you? Why?
But while my brother deserves the best too, like Jennifer, I think he deserves the best only when he can be prepared to give the best. Does he even understand what marriage is? You see, he is not a practising Catholic, and does not hold the Church in very high regard. He has a very bad anger problem and talks down on almost everyone in the house, he tends to objectify women, does not care for how a woman should dress, gives in to unchaste thoughts or behaviour, swears and calls me and others in the family such demeaning names. But of course I am the “wacko” to him for considering all such things. And Jennifer is incapacitated and can’t see your brother for what he is?

He is 26, yes, but very unprepared for marriage. She is 22, yes, but very wise, and very pure. Then she certainly knows how to look him in the eye and say, “Don’t hand me no lines, and keep your hands to yourself” should she even decide to go out with him. I know he is attracted to her purity and innocence. Something he does not often see esp. among his circle of friends. Maybe he will get his act together. Maybe not. Why don’t you give Jennifer the benefit of the doubt as she is such a paragon of virtue? Why are you so sure your brother is going to corrupt, pillage and ravish her? You certainly don’t give old Jen much credit for her virtue, just your brother for this alleged lechery.
…Now my brother is asking for my help in bringing she and he together in some sort of “spontaneous” meeting at church.You don’t have to participate. Tell him NO, loudly and firmly. If he asks why, tell him you refuse to participate. Period.
…While that is a possibility, I also know my good friend Jennifer to be a little flaky; she has trouble saying no, as many of us do. And when it comes to the “charm” of a man she has given me some reason to believe that she is easily swayed by passion.Give your friend some credit. And your brother is not that handsome or slick, if this girl is that good.
…But is it wrong for me to not involve myself in their meeting (that is to say, not play an active role in helping my brother meet Jennifer)? No it is not. The best place to be in this one is far, far away. If he wants Jennifer, he is going to have to do the work on his own. And you never know…Jen may be his agent of change.
 
(CONTD…) Now my brother is asking for my help in bringing she and he together in some sort of “spontaneous” meeting at church. He rarely ever goes to Mass, he wants to come next Sunday to greet Jennifer and start a conversation. For one thing, one must go to Mass sincerely; it’s not a place to check out girls. You receive the Eucharist sincerely.

You may be wondering what my problem is…“unworthy, if Jennifer is wise…she will know how to say no”
While that is a possibility, I also know my good friend Jennifer to be a little flaky; she has trouble saying no, as many of us do. And when it comes to the “charm” of a man she has given me some reason to believe that she is easily swayed by passion. Even a woman striving to be holy can fall for an external image.
My brother is one of those very charming types, very handsome, and his sense of confidence gives him an air of authority. He can make a woman’s knees weak…including Jennifer’s. But I do not support it so I will not involve myself in it.

In the end, whether or not my brother pursues her, or if they meet will be beyond my control. I know that. But is it wrong for me to not involve myself in their meeting (that is to say, not play an active role in helping my brother meet Jennifer)? He is understandably upset at my disapproval but after some prayerful reflection, I’m more convinced than ever. I welcome any suggestions or words of encouragement at this point.
I find the idea of your brother using Mass to pick up women as somewhat revolting. It would also be giving this woman the impression that he is a practicing Catholic when he is not. If he wants to date your friend that up to him & her. If I were you I would not enable it in anyway.
 
I find the idea of your brother using Mass to pick up women as somewhat revolting. It would also be giving this woman the impression that he is a practicing Catholic when he is not. If he wants to date your friend that up to him & her. If I were you I would not enable it in anyway.
I also find it revolting, and I understand your concerns since you know both of them you are in the position of knowing both their characters. I would give Jen the heads up on what your brother is like then let it go at that.
 
I bet she would see through your brother pretty fast.

Maybe you could mention to her that your brother may start attending Mass again and that he has had a few problems and let her make the decision. That way he will be going to Mass and may become interested in it beyond the girls. Most of the “good” girls can see through the “bad” boy.
 
I have a rather deicate questin for the OP. Do you have any romantic interests in this woman?
 
Dang, y’all are coming down hard on this boy LOL.

Y’all were baggin on him cause he’s goin to Mass to meet girls. I agree not the most ideal thing, but c’mon you’d rather him not be there? And what if he does find a nice Catholic girl, strong in Faith? She’s gonna implode just because he’s on the scene?

If Jennifer is as grounded as you say, she’ll deal with him.

And who knows? Perhaps it is His plan that Jennifer not only become his partner, but the instrument that brings him back to the church and into the light? You know He does work that way. If it is not His plan, Jennifer will recognize it and take the appropitate action, right now nobody knows.

I’d just stay outta of it. “If you want to call her, up to you, but I’m not helping, what y’all do is up to the 2 of you.”

When you turn things over to God you can relax. Just like a tandem bicycle, put God on the front to steer, and you just peddle, and he will guide you. From your description is sounds like Jennifer already has Him in the front, so I wouldn’t worry too much about your brother causing her to crash.
 
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