Actually, look in the catechism. THe very definition of love is that it is a CHOICE. It is not a feeling. It is not emotion. It is a decision.We don’t choose who we fall in love with. I’m married to a man that doesn’t have a “religion”. I’m Catholic, we agreed that our children would be raised in a Catholic religion no matter. Something we talked about before we ever got married. My husband is a wonderful man, who works hard everyday as a mechanic, is faithful to me, he treats our son and I fabulous. I know Catholic men that could never add up to him. So, to answer the question, there are no issues or complications in our marriage when it comes to religion. I don’t force him or beg him to become Catholic. If he ever decides to, it will be with his own heart, which will mean so much more.
I do reccomend you talk about all this stuff before you get married. It is important.
So what do you suggest be done?Intrafaith marriages are a fact, and they have to be addressed with more understanding and effort than just the pat “Pray for your spouse to convert” answer. It may happen for some couples, but for many it’s not realistic.
and there’s your answer.Oh, Agapewolf. It’s people like you who put themselves above others. Do you really think your better because you married a man of the same faith? I don’t think so. And who says that we don’t pray together and that my husband doesn’t lead in example with God. You know, at one time there weren’t churches for couples to go to, they actually stayed home and read the bible. My Grandparents for example, got to church once a year. Very Catholic, but the nearest church to these parts were to far for horse and buggy every week. And let me tell you something else, there’s no place closer to God than in the woods that HE made before man came and destroyed his creation. You are right that I don’t feel the need to share the Eucherist with him. I’m not one to think that I’m sharing the Eucherist with anyone, I believe that what I have with God is between God and I. Unlike most people, I don’t go to church to say “look, I showed up.” I go to church to hear the Gospel, I actually set in the back, where I’m not more noticable. People who know me, know my faith in God is strong. They know that I’ve put my life in his hands. They know that I love them. I grew up with my fathers family being Catholic and my mothers being Protastant. Let me tell you, my mothers family could whip out things from the Bible that my fathers family had know idea. My mothers family were super close and very compassionate. My dads were hard and fought till the last breath they took.
I’m done on my soap box. But people like you, who are so quick with the tongue irritate me. And it isn’t a choice, I feel bad for you if you didn’t find a husband that you loved, as apposed to CHOSE. Remember, not everything is written in the chatecism book, some of it’s in the bible. IMHO.
I hope you are saying that because you don’t want to get into a relationship with a Protestant and not because you think Protestants are bad people. I really really hope that’s what you meant.I can only speak from my own experiance & no one elses. If I ever get rid of this wife I will make sure I never even date a Protestant again. I’m sure not all Baptist women are like her, but I will stay away from them except as casual friends.
Honestly, I’m not sure what should be done. But I get really sick of it just being expected that I either convert or subvert my religous traditions simply because my husband rediscovered his Catholic roots. Especially, since I have never asked him to convert.So what do you suggest be done?
Your situation is different than one that has a person who is a practicing Catholic to begin with, and knowingly is going to enter into a relationship/marriage with a protestant.Honestly, I’m not sure what should be done. But I get really sick of it just being expected that I either convert or subvert my religous traditions simply because my husband rediscovered his Catholic roots. Especially, since I have never asked him to convert.
There has to be some sort of middle ground, where both traditions (especially when they are as close at ours are) can be respected. I have never asked my husband to convert, or prayed for it, and I would never tell him that our kids could not be exposed to his faith, however that is the clear message that I get from the Catholic concerning my involvement with our children’s upbringing. It’s really sad.
I’m not sure what an acceptable answer is, but I get sick of the first thing out of the Priest or parrishoner’s mouths when they find out I’m Lutheran is “You are baptizing your children Catholic, aren’t you”, not a “Hey welcome, nice to meet you”. It makes you feel like their only concern is protecting your future children from the you, the evil protestant.
This type of behavior is extremely hurtful, and certainly doesn’t make me want to convert. It’s sad because I always grew up holding my Catholic friends in high regard because of their faith, and respecting the beauty and tradition of the Catholic Church. Now I’ve lost a lot of the respect I once had because of the treatment I have received.
So I don’t know exactly what to suggest to fix it, but a more open approach to intrafaith marriages, and protestant spouse and their traditions might be a good start.
PM sent. Once you read it you’ll understand.I hope you are saying that because you don’t want to get into a relationship with …
How does a Catholic Baptism convey more grace than say a Lutheran, Anglican or Eastern Orthodox one? Same exact words and ceremony almost word for word. BTW Lutherans believe that Sacraments bring grace as well.Your situation is different than one that has a person who is a practicing Catholic to begin with, and knowingly is going to enter into a relationship/marriage with a protestant.
Catholics believe that the sacraments bring grace. We are very concerned that the grace is given along to our families, and that the children have opportunities for the most grace possible. We want everyone to be able to have the opportunity to receive that grace…which is why things are said about baptizing the children Catholic, converting etc. Not because protestants aren’t “good enough” as they are, but recognition that as we are all sinners, we need the most grace we could possibly get.
I’m not talking about Baptism. I’m talking about the rest of the sacraments. There are 7 in the Catholic faith.How does a Catholic Baptism convey more grace than say a Lutheran, Anglican or Eastern Orthodox one? Same exact words and ceremony almost word for word. BTW Lutherans believe that Sacraments bring grace as well.
You can’t compel him to go to Mass with you, but it is something I would insist on before I chose to marry a nonCatholic.The 6 Precepts of the Church (The Duties of a Catholic)
To go to Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days
To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent)
To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season (known as the “Easter duty”)
To observe the days of fasting and abstinence
To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one’s abilities and station in life
To obey the marriage laws of the Church
Do you feel the children should be exposed to both Faiths equally and let them draw their own conclusions?I have never asked my husband to convert, or prayed for it, and I would never tell him that our kids could not be exposed to his faith, however that is the clear message that I get from the Catholic concerning my involvement with our children’s upbringing. It’s really sad.
I have never understood why that is such a bad thing.Do you feel the children should be exposed to both Faiths equally and let them draw their own conclusions?