Son becoming Agnostic may marry Muslim woman---advice please!

[journeycatholic]

Robwar,
Thank you for the recommendation and especially for your thoughtful contributions.

 

[journeycatholic]

Our son says that he has no intention of converting to Islam, but that her parents are “supportive” of whatever she wants to do. I am curious about this as I learned that she has not told her parents that she does drink alcohol—which seems like a trivial item to hold back from them when she has talked to them about wanting to be married to a Christian/Catholic? He says that they are not sure how/where they would be married. There is a lot they have not discussed or considered.

I believe that he would return to his faith eventually, but that it would be much more difficult or maybe impossible once into marriage with a Muslim woman, children in the picture, etc. I am so afraid that he will be lost if he takes this path. I am trying to have faith that God will lead him back and that all we can do is pray. Please keep B in your prayers.

 

[journeycatholic]

There is a very good book just recently published called “Till Faith do us part” It is about mixed faith couples (not just Catholic ones). The author is Jewish who married a non practicing JW. She has a whole chapter in there about marriages with Muslims and it emphasized again that Islam does not approve of a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim which basically makes her an apostate within her family and community even if the family is not serious about the faith. I think the book would be helpful to you. While the book does try to put a more positive spin on mixed faith couples, it does point out that mixed faith marriages are more difficult and less happy and when the parents are at odds or decide to let the children choose, the kids usually pick no faith. While your son and his girlfriend may feel that they are modern and tolerant and free to do whatever, the reality is that when children start, people usually go back to their roots. Likewise, family traditions are very influential even if the couple thinks they are free from all these things. I think this book might be helpful to you but likewise maybe your son might be open to reading because it’s not a “Catholic” book but a very realistic study of different faith couples and their issues. I wish you the best of luck.

I just ordered this book for him. thank you!