My boyfriend is Protestant and he is skeptical of some Catholic teachings such as Purgatory, Popes, etc. and wonders why we do some of the things we do (Midnight Mass, meatless Fridays, etc.).
Better than that ending up with a Liberal Catholic ™ who doesn’t have a clue either way. Can he at least see the logic in some of it and, without necessarily agreeing that your points are valid, see that they aren’t coming from a pope’s vivid imagination but are in good faith derived from scripture and tradition?
Yet, he defends me from anti-Catholic accusations and recognizes that I follow Jesus and live my life according to His Word.
That’s good.
He also agrees with me on Catholic morals (no contraception, absolute purity, etc.)
Good. My last ex broke up with me because of what difficulties disagreeing on such matters would create in children’s upbringing.
and is curious about some aspects of my faith. We get into some interesting discussions.
That’s also good. Maybe if he agrees on morals, defends you from accusations and is interested in some aspects of the Catholic faith, maybe he’s becoming receptive to the idea of conversion? Even if not, then he’s “at least” (in quotes because it’s not actually little
) open-minded and considerate and wants to know more of what you believe.
I have doubts because I hope that no matter what happens, we’ll always be friends, even if we don’t end up together.
Might the desire to preserve the friendship interfere somehow with the growing of the relationship? With my last ex, we were more dedicated to preserving our friendship than our romantic relationship. Maybe that’s part of what made us split up in the end.
I also wonder about the difference of faith, as I’ve heard a lot of negatives about interfaith relationships (kids will grow up indifferent, too many compromises, etc.)
I hear you. Compromises are a pain. As Catholic spouses and parents, we have the obligation to bring children up as best we can - which means as good Catholics as we can make of them, basically. At least you don’t seem to differ on moral issues. Is he ready to have his children brought up Catholic? This doesn’t mean he needs to be cut off from what you share, but on what terms is he with the idea of his children being baptised Catholic and receiving other sacraments in the Catholic Church, going to confession, believing in Real Presence, accepting papal authority and tradition? And the other things his denomination doesn’t agree with?
I guess I also feel like I don’t deserve him, like he’s too good for me, because he always comes up to see me, but I don’t go to see him (mostly due to finances right now, but I feel bad for not visiting him). He also is so wonderful to me and shows that he cares, treats me like a lady, etc. and I don’t feel that I’m good enough. Maybe I feel insecure, I don’t know, but I am questioning alot.
That means you’re considerate. It probably also means that he’s a good man like not many can you find these days. It may also mean you have some insecurity or self-esteem issues (Cheer up and believe in yourself!
But it’s admirable how you can stay humble.
). If you feel bad about some aspects of how you treat him, maybe change them? Or discuss with him? Another thing you may want to think about is if not him because he’s too good, then what man would you like to end up with? Someone worse than him?
As in, would you like a worse man, with less virtue and more vice, or with more faults, or less Christian?
I think Jesus wants the best for us, so I don’t think His will would be for us to let go of someone too good.
I can tell you, though, that myself, when chasing a girl, I’ve prayed for God to prevent it from developing if someone else would be better for a given girl than I were. On the other hand, maybe you’re getting that feeling because he seems to be more dedicated to and more decided about you than you about him? Maybe you see that he would never leave you and fault yourself for having your doubts about him at times? I think deciding whether he’s the man you would like to marry in the future could help that.
Good luck to you and, well, you both.
God will never leave you alone. Or him. You will always be on His mind and He will have something for you.
