What exactly is the Church's stance on a future marriage with a divorced man?

[Phemie]

1ke and Phemie… thank you for clarifying that.

I was told that if we were both unbaptised (which didn’t apply to me, as I was baptised in my case) that it was a much quicker process… that it would only be about 3 months as opposed to 18 months to 2 years in my diocese at the time.

I don’t know if my information was faulty or if it was my understanding that was lacking.

If they were both unbaptized when they got married and one got baptized and the other one didn’t want to stay married then the baptized person can ask for dissolution under the Pauline privilege. That’s granted by the bishop so it would perhaps be quicker than petitioning for a decree of nullity.

It doesn’t mean that the marriage was invalid. In this case a presumed valid marriage is dissolved based on 1 Corinthians 7-12: “To the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace.”

 

[Lerin]

If they were both unbaptized when they got married and one got baptized and the other one didn’t want to stay married then the baptized person can ask for dissolution under the Pauline privilege. That’s granted by the bishop so it would perhaps be quicker than petitioning for a decree of nullity.

It doesn’t mean that the marriage was invalid.

I think as a convert, I have misunderstood the two completely different terms: valid and sacramental. I was assuming they were one in the same, but see now they are not.

Thanks again! I don’t want to confuse anyone with my own misunderstanding on the matter.

 

[kage_ar]

Very true,
My point however, is that the Catholic Church takes it’s doctrine out of Scripture. .

The Catholic Church pre-exists the Bible as we know it today. Jesus fouded a Church, that Church gathered, vetted and preserved documents that were lated organized into the Bible.

A very good book on the history of how this process happened is “Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger”.

Catholic Doctrine is based on Tradition as well as Scripture. Scripture cannot conflict with Catholic Doctrine.

Otherwise it is made up, no doubt with prayer and thought, but scripture and doctrine writers were/are not puppets. They are not like Muhammad and believe that God spoke to them directly from an angel. You can argue with me all you want, but that is what I believe. .

From the CCC, beginning at 105

II. INSPIRATION AND TRUTH OF SACRED SCRIPTURE
105 God is the author of Sacred Scripture. "The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit."69
"For Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, whole and entire, with all their parts, on the grounds that, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, and have been handed on as such to the Church herself."70
106 God inspired the human authors of the sacred books. "To compose the sacred books, God chose certain men who, all the while he employed them in this task, made full use of their own faculties and powers so that, though he acted in them and by them, it was as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and no more."71
[107](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/107.htm’) The inspired books teach the truth. "Since therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred writers affirm should be regarded as affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures."72 108 Still, the Christian faith is not a “religion of the book.” Christianity is the religion of the “Word” of God, a word which is “not a written and mute word, but the Word which is incarnate and living”.73 If the Scriptures are not to remain a dead letter, Christ, the eternal Word of the living God, must, through the Holy Spirit, "open [our] minds to understand the Scriptures."74

The stories of such happenings I believe actually happened, (like Moses) but most of these stories were passed on orally for hundreds of years before they got penned down. Quoting Christian stories does not mean that you become totally accurate. .

Here is the CCC section on the senses of Scripture
scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c2a3.htm#115

Also, if Catholics believe what you said, why are there Bibles that are not hand written by the Pope? We would not have Bibles or footnotes at all if we believed that only defined Doctrine and Dogma of Catholics are completely correct.

My best answer is to spend some time learning what the Church teaches about Scripture.

You can use the links I provided above to read the Catechism section on Scripture. It begins at para 101. The footnotes will reference you to other documents and Scripture. You can read these other docs at www.vatican.va

 

[katillac1]

New Developments-

My boyfriend and I have taken the discussion further and I’m going to share with you some of what we said. I cannot begin to answer him as I have yet to read the books yall have suggested, and quite frankly, am struggling still with this concept myself. I really don’t know what to say.

He qouted: “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A Believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15).

He confesses now that he never knew for sure whether she was Christian (baptized). He says: “My peace was found after the divorce, therefore I believe this is God’s will. This being the case, I firmly believe that I have had God’s permission to leave and I have God’s permission to remarry as He request that I live in peace. I would call marrying someone who you love and enjoy being with, “living in peace”.”
“I have no desire or interest in any way to have a group of so-called spiritual leaders telling me what I can or cannot do. I have God’s permission and that is all I need. I will allow no mortal man to take God’s place in my life. Who are they to think they have the right to question God’s authority.”…“I will not begin a marriage by starting off spitting in God’s face and telling Him that he is not good enough to judge my relationships. I will not start off a marriage where mortal human beings tell me whether I am fit for re-marriage trying to over power God’s permission.”…“There is only one relationship I value greater than yours and mine (this should be and I know is the same for you) and that is my relationship with God. I will not allow a group of men to supercede my relationship with God.”

When someone believes that strongly that “Catholic things” are man made rituals, and like I said, I am struggling with this concept myself right now, what do I tell him, give him to read to help him and both of us understand?
The books based on Catholicism are a start, but I doubt he would embrace that as they are from the very organization that he is fighting against.
I’m really lost here and want to try my best to make this work.

 

[Lerin]

This is such a sad situation, but it comes down to a question of Church authority. He doesn’t believe in it. Do you?

If we do believe that the Catholic Church has legitimate authority in our lives (which is what being “Catholic” means!) then we can submit to that authority. It doesn’t mean that we will always be happy or always get what we want, but what does it mean to a man to gaiin the whole world and lose his soul?

If you believe that Christ established the Church and the gates of Hell have not overcome it, and that church is the Catholic church… if you believe it has legitimate authority in your life… then you must submit to the Tribunal’s review and findings.

I am so sorry that this is such a heartbreaking ordeal for you, but I don’t understand the repeated questions. The REAL questions are the ones you should be asking yourself.

I will pray for you, and hope you can take comfort in that if nothing else!

 

[kage_ar]

Authority. That is something that so many outside of the Church cannot grasp.

First book I’d suggest _ “By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition” by Mark P. Shea

I’d also suggest you spend some time listening to the things over at www.biblechristiansociety.com

 

[whatevergirl]

New Developments-

My boyfriend and I have taken the discussion further and I’m going to share with you some of what we said. I cannot begin to answer him as I have yet to read the books yall have suggested, and quite frankly, am struggling still with this concept myself. I really don’t know what to say.

He qouted: “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A Believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15).

He confesses now that he never knew for sure whether she was Christian (baptized). He says: “My peace was found after the divorce, therefore I believe this is God’s will. This being the case, I firmly believe that I have had God’s permission to leave and I have God’s permission to remarry as He request that I live in peace. I would call marrying someone who you love and enjoy being with, “living in peace”.”
“I have no desire or interest in any way to have a group of so-called spiritual leaders telling me what I can or cannot do. I have God’s permission and that is all I need. I will allow no mortal man to take God’s place in my life. Who are they to think they have the right to question God’s authority.”…“I will not begin a marriage by starting off spitting in God’s face and telling Him that he is not good enough to judge my relationships. I will not start off a marriage where mortal human beings tell me whether I am fit for re-marriage trying to over power God’s permission.”…“There is only one relationship I value greater than yours and mine (this should be and I know is the same for you) and that is my relationship with God. I will not allow a group of men to supercede my relationship with God.”

When someone believes that strongly that “Catholic things” are man made rituals, and like I said, I am struggling with this concept myself right now, what do I tell him, give him to read to help him and both of us understand?
The books based on Catholicism are a start, but I doubt he would embrace that as they are from the very organization that he is fighting against.
I’m really lost here and want to try my best to make this work.

Hi kat;

I think that seeing he is not Catholic, it is very easy and understandable to see where he is coming from. But, to Catholics, which you are, we believe in the apostolic succession, dating our present pope back to the original pope of our Church, St Peter. Now, your bf will not fall in love with the Church over night…it would be nice, but he won’t. It takes time, even for many of us cradle Catholics, to wrap our heads around some of the Catholic doctrine. But, we believe, that being said, that our Pope is the Vicar of Christ on earth…that he has received Divine inspiration and revelation in interpreting Scipture (thus does do infallibly) and that the ‘rules’ of our Church are not manmade, but God inspired. Now, that takes A LOT of study, and faith to believe that…but as a devout Catholic now, myself, for me…it makes sense. For your bf, who wants Scripture, dare I say, to fit with the mistakes he made in life…and to justify his belief system…it won’t make sense, and he will be most likely closed off. But, if your faith is important to you, and you want to be united with your bf on this …then, not sure what to say, other than, you have a big decision to make. Your choices are pretty much:

a) leave him
b) try to lead him to the Catholic Church
c) do nothing, and compromise your faith (which you will if your bf tries to convince you that the Catholic Church is a manmade set of rules, etc)

That’s pretty much the set of choices before you, katillac. I wouldn’t date someone, let alone marry someone, who bashes my faith…not that he is bashing per se, but he is getting there. He doesn’t respect your faith. That is clear. He wants you to turn away from your faith, as that will make his life ‘easier,’ I really think he sees it that way. So, your choices are above, what will you do?

When in doubt, do nothing. But, all I caution you to do, is think back to why you came to the Catholic Church…and do you wish to remain a Catholic? If so, that will help you to answer other tough questions relating to your bf. If he is open, I’d try to expose him to Catholic teachings, and hopefully, he will be inspired to continue. God bless…it’s tough, I know.

 

[whatevergirl]

New Developments-

My boyfriend and I have taken the discussion further and I’m going to share with you some of what we said. I cannot begin to answer him as I have yet to read the books yall have suggested, and quite frankly, am struggling still with this concept myself. I really don’t know what to say.
**
He qouted: “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A Believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15). **

He confesses now that he never knew for sure whether she was Christian (baptized). He says: “My peace was found after the divorce, therefore I believe this is God’s will. This being the case, I firmly believe that I have had God’s permission to leave and I have God’s permission to remarry as He request that I live in peace. I would call marrying someone who you love and enjoy being with, “living in peace”.”
“I have no desire or interest in any way to have a group of so-called spiritual leaders telling me what I can or cannot do. I have God’s permission and that is all I need. I will allow no mortal man to take God’s place in my life. Who are they to think they have the right to question God’s authority.”…“I will not begin a marriage by starting off spitting in God’s face and telling Him that he is not good enough to judge my relationships. I will not start off a marriage where mortal human beings tell me whether I am fit for re-marriage trying to over power God’s permission.”…“There is only one relationship I value greater than yours and mine (this should be and I know is the same for you) and that is my relationship with God. I will not allow a group of men to supercede my relationship with God.”

When someone believes that strongly that “Catholic things” are man made rituals, and like I said, I am struggling with this concept myself right now, what do I tell him, give him to read to help him and both of us understand?
The books based on Catholicism are a start, but I doubt he would embrace that as they are from the very organization that he is fighting against.
I’m really lost here and want to try my best to make this work.

katillac–also the Scripture that your bf mentioned…to I guess justify why he can remarry without going through an annulment process, really has nothing to do with REMARRIAGE. It has to do with that a person doesn’t need to REMAIN IN THE MARRIAGE currently, if a non believer leaves…but it doesn’t mean he/she is free to marry. Even in early Protestant texts, it clearly states that.

The ultimate question you will have to ask yourself is…do I put my bf who is a non believer over my faith? That’s it. If you were dating a devout Catholic, we wouldn’t be having this discussion, most likely… Just food for thought. Not saying you should break it off…but, beware of dating/marrying someone who wants to take you away from The Church, your faith.

 

[Cristiano]

New Developments-

My boyfriend and I have taken the discussion further and I’m going to share with you some of what we said. I cannot begin to answer him as I have yet to read the books yall have suggested, and quite frankly, am struggling still with this concept myself. I really don’t know what to say.

He qouted: “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A Believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15).

He confesses now that he never knew for sure whether she was Christian (baptized). He says: “My peace was found after the divorce, therefore I believe this is God’s will. This being the case, I firmly believe that I have had God’s permission to leave and I have God’s permission to remarry as He request that I live in peace. I would call marrying someone who you love and enjoy being with, “living in peace”.”
“I have no desire or interest in any way to have a group of so-called spiritual leaders telling me what I can or cannot do. I have God’s permission and that is all I need. I will allow no mortal man to take God’s place in my life. Who are they to think they have the right to question God’s authority.”…“I will not begin a marriage by starting off spitting in God’s face and telling Him that he is not good enough to judge my relationships. I will not start off a marriage where mortal human beings tell me whether I am fit for re-marriage trying to over power God’s permission.”…“There is only one relationship I value greater than yours and mine (this should be and I know is the same for you) and that is my relationship with God. I will not allow a group of men to supercede my relationship with God.”

When someone believes that strongly that “Catholic things” are man made rituals, and like I said, I am struggling with this concept myself right now, what do I tell him, give him to read to help him and both of us understand?
The books based on Catholicism are a start, but I doubt he would embrace that as they are from the very organization that he is fighting against.
I’m really lost here and want to try my best to make this work.

Looking at his statement it looks like it made it clear that he has to follow his religious beliefs and that you have to choose the Catholic Church. From what I read it sounds like he is telling you that because of your beliefs in God then you cannot get married and that he is fine with that because it is God’s willing.
Unless he is trying to make sure that you are leaving the Catholic Church.

 

[Cristiano]

This is where I’m having a hard time. If the Tribunal has no power, and the ultimate power rests with God, then why is there any investigation at all. I really really don’t understand. Why God needs a Tribunal to tell Him that the marriage was not valid is beyond me.

If Catholics truly believe that God is almighty, full of grace and omnipotent, then this does not make sense.

Let me see, now this guy has already proved of being wrong on something big (e.g. marriage). Now he makes his own justifications to decide if his marriage is valid or not. God told him? He is a prophet?

He quoted a Bible passage referring to the unbaptized and now he does not know if his wife was baptized. Does he do his job as a Christian to seek the truth or does he just states that it does not matter because God spoke to him?

I do not see a lot of intellectual honesty here! I do not see it in relation to you and I think that if two people are willing to become one flesh then they should realize that intellectual honesty is of essence. You are doing your homework, he is not. That is not being equals.

 

[whatevergirl]

Let me see, now this guy has already proved of being wrong on something big (e.g. marriage). Now he makes his own justifications to decide if his marriage is valid or not. God told him? He is a prophet?

He quoted a Bible passage referring to the unbaptized and now he does not know if his wife was baptized. Does he do his job as a Christian to seek the truth or does he just states that it does not matter because God spoke to him?

I do not see a lot of intellectual honesty here! I do not see it in relation to you and I think that if two people are willing to become one flesh then they should realize that intellectual honesty is of essence. You are doing your homework, he is not. That is not being equals.

This is true, too, katillac. I think that at the very very least…your bf doesn’t respect your faith, and also, in a way, is bending you to think like him on this issue. You are Catholic. You will have some major problems going forward if you remain devout to your faith, and your bf tries to break you away from believing in Church teachings. I see it happening from the confusion you now have, in your posts. (you admitting that you are somewhat agreeing with him)

He sounds set in his thinking, but perhaps if he is open to sitting down with someone you trust …a priest …to discuss the issue, he might see the reasoning behind the Church doctrine, and that Church doctrine is really God given doctrine, not manmade. I hope that he will be open minded at least. If he isn’t at least that, you will be in for a lot of difficulty, if you stay with him, yet try to remain true to your faith. We can’t serve both man and God.

 

[katillac1]

Let me see, now this guy has already proved of being wrong on something big (e.g. marriage). Now he makes his own justifications to decide if his marriage is valid or not. God told him? He is a prophet?

He quoted a Bible passage referring to the unbaptized and now he does not know if his wife was baptized. Does he do his job as a Christian to seek the truth or does he just states that it does not matter because God spoke to him?

I do not see a lot of intellectual honesty here! I do not see it in relation to you and I think that if two people are willing to become one flesh then they should realize that intellectual honesty is of essence. You are doing your homework, he is not. That is not being equals.

The thing is, is that he is not trying to be a prophet or anything else. He actually got sick worrying about God’s view on the situation and what happened. He felt terrible and guilty that she walked out on him. He read and reread the Bible, did alot of research, talked to many preachers to try and figure things out and to try and be right with God. This is why he is at peace with the situation now. He just did it from the Protestant view because that is what he is and what he believes. He did his homework, just not from our library . He is not Catholic because he believes that no matter what, God comes first, even before anyone on Earth, including the Pope.
I think that is what the situation boils down to, not so much the actual annullment, but that he actually believes it is insulting to God to go to a group of men to make things right, when he has already done that with God on a personal level.

 

[kage_ar]

he believes that no matter what, God comes first, even before anyone on Earth, including the Pope.
.

Then he agrees with the Catholic Church.

God DOES come first. God established a Church here on earth.

 

[whatevergirl]

The thing is, is that he is not trying to be a prophet or anything else. He actually got sick worrying about God’s view on the situation and what happened. He felt terrible and guilty that she walked out on him. He read and reread the Bible, did alot of research, talked to many preachers to try and figure things out and to try and be right with God. This is why he is at peace with the situation now. He just did it from the Protestant view because that is what he is and what he believes. He did his homework, just not from our library . He is not Catholic because he believes that no matter what, God comes first, even before anyone on Earth, including the Pope.
I think that is what the situation boils down to, not so much the actual annullment, but that he actually believes it is insulting to God to go to a group of men to make things right, when he has already done that with God on a personal level.

Ok, that makes sense. I would say to him though…why did Jesus “recruit” a group of 12 “mere men” to preach His Gospel? Why did Jesus entrust Peter, a mere man, to develop and build the Church on earth? Jesus is the head of the Catholic Church…Jesus entrusted Peter to build His church, for when He left this earth. If Jesus thought that men were not suited to carry out the Gospel message, He wouldn’t have chosen His Apostles. We put God above all else in the Catholic faith…when he tells you these things, how do you currently defend your faith? Just curious as to how you reply to him…

 

[katillac1]

I think he is set in his ways. Once I get past this week, hopefully I can start doing research so I’m better informed myself and then we can take baby steps. I’m gonna need lots of prayers!

 

[Cristiano]

I think he is set in his ways. Once I get past this week, hopefully I can start doing research so I’m better informed myself and then we can take baby steps.** I’m gonna need lots of prayers!**

We will be there for you and him. We really want you to have a good marriage with this guy, it is not our intention to split you apart. However, I think that you guys need to do a lot of talking and not only about religion. Do it now or it will bite you in the later.

 

[Lerin]

I think he is set in his ways. Once I get past this week, hopefully I can start doing research so I’m better informed myself and then we can take baby steps. I’m gonna need lots of prayers!

I’m not trying to be insensitive at all, but another serious question to ask yourself… Why would you decide that marrying a man with completely different, divisive religious beliefs is “right” for you?

Trust me, my first marriage when I was 19 (subsequently anulled) was a case of a non-believer and believer. I converted to Catholicism at age 20, and my ex was bitterly opposed to me baptising my daughter. I went to Mass alone, did Lent and Advent alone.

When I began dating again, my number one stipulation was that I wouldn’t date a non-Catholic. On something as serious as my faith, I wanted to be in unity there first before anywhere else.

If you think it’s hard now to have such separate faith, wait until you add kids and the stresses/realities of life to the mix.

Our faith touches all aspects of our lives, from issues of sexuality/contraception/number of children, to how we spend money, to where/how we educate our kids. If your faith is important to you and you want to raise your children in the Catholic faith… you need to seriously step back and get on your knees on prayer.

Feelings are fleeting… but a valid marriage is for a lifetime. Don’t underestimate how important and how potentially divisive the issues of faith are in a marriage.

Being in a marriage now with a devout Catholic man, I can tell you it is essential to the happiness and peace in our home. I can’t imagine it any other way. I would not be happy constantly having to argue, defend, and explain my submission to the authority of the Catholic Church to my husband… especially if, as in the case of your boyfriend, he was trying to convince me I was wrong in trusting Her.

Again, I say this not to be insensitive to you but as a loving warning of where I have been and what I know. If your Catholic faith is your number one priority, you have more important questions to ponder than whether his first marriage was valid or not.

 

[nodito]

The thing is, is that he is not trying to be a prophet or anything else. He actually got sick worrying about God’s view on the situation and what happened. He felt terrible and guilty that she walked out on him. He read and reread the Bible, did alot of research, talked to many preachers to try and figure things out and to try and be right with God.

I think that is what the situation boils down to, not so much the actual annullment, but that he actually believes it is insulting to God to go to a group of men to make things right, when he has already done that with God on a personal level.

Your boyfriend shouldn’t be concerned that he is insulting God by going to the Tribunal; doing so is very similar to what he was doing before. When his wife left him he went to his pastors looking for reassurance. He did research on the subject and read the Bible a lot. Why did he do this? Because he wanted to make sure that he was interpreting the Bible correctly and because he wanted to be right with God. You want the same things, it’s just that as a Catholic, you understand that God gave us the Church (rather than simply preachers and internet research) to help us figure out what God expects of us and whether or not we’re free to marry.

Your boyfriend might be at peace with the situation now, but you are not, and he owes it to you to help you achieve that same level of peace with the situation that he has already achieved. How does he do this? By respecting your need to have the Church look into his previous marriage and determine whether or not it was valid.

He might truly believe that he is no longer married, but does he believe that he was never married? One of the differences between Catholic and Protestant theology is that Catholics believe that once married, always married. As long as both partners are alive, there is no such thing as “I was once married but now I’m not.” The tribunal will help you figure out whether he was married then and is still married today, or whether he was never married and is not married now.

God bless!

 

[Agripa]

The thing is, is that he is not trying to be a prophet or anything else. He actually got sick worrying about God’s view on the situation and what happened. He felt terrible and guilty that she walked out on him. He read and reread the Bible, did alot of research, talked to many preachers to try and figure things out and to try and be right with God. This is why he is at peace with the situation now. He just did it from the Protestant view because that is what he is and what he believes. He did his homework, just not from our library . He is not Catholic because he believes that no matter what, God comes first, even before anyone on Earth, including the Pope.
I think that is what the situation boils down to, not so much the actual annullment, but that he actually believes it is insulting to God to go to a group of men to make things right, when he has already done that with God on a personal level.

Some religions tend to insulate themselves to propagate their Faith. Traditionalists will do this through a rather restrictive view that only religious people of one faith should marry another of the same faith - Catholics are no different and there is some credence to the notion that “birds of a feather should flock together”. However, it seems clear form your posts that you and your bf have thought and prayed over this and it seems you are earnest in your effort to at least get various points of view. That is healthy for any relationship.

Not everyone feels you must only marry another who shares your same faith - I know of many Catholics who married Lutherans, Jews, etc and are happy together. I know others in mixed marriages that are not happy or their marriages have failed, but not always because of faith issues (stastically money is the main reasons marriages fail).

For instance, The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey finds that more than one-in-four (27%) American adults who are married or living with a partner are in religiously mixed relationships. If people from different Protestant denominational families are included – for example, a marriage between a Methodist and a Lutheran – nearly four-in-ten (37%) couples are religiously mixed.

The survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, finds that people who are unaffiliated with a particular religion are the most likely (65%) to have a spouse or partner with a different religious background. Buddhists (55%) also are likely to be married or living with a partner with a religious background different from their own.

In contrast, the individuals least likely to marry or live with a partner outside their faith include Hindus (only 10% are married to or live with someone of a different religion), Mormons (17%) and Catholics (22%).

Here is a link to the survey -

pewresearch.org/pubs/1116/religiously-mixed-relationships

Do yourself a favor and further explore this rationally in order to help make a truly informed decision!

 

[Cristiano]

…Do yourself a favor and further explore this rationally in order to help make a truly informed decision!

The truly informed rational decision comes from understanding the faith and not from looking at statistics. Statistics in this case are used to present trends and not possible outcomes. She is not playing the roulette, she is looking into having a valid marriage in front of God.