for those that have converted to another religion

[Aurora63]

You are Christian, and he is Muslim? How do you do it? I mean, if you are Christian, then you must know that your husband isn't saved, b/c Muslim beliefs and Christian beliefs about salvation are COMPLETELY different. Honestly, you say you feel strongly about your faith (though your not very religious, still trying to see how that is possible), so how does it make you feel to know that he's not saved, but you assumably are? I know the Bible says to stay in the marriage and try to convert the other person (1 Corinthians), but this would be pretty tough in your situation, I would think.

You don't know my situation. Don't try to judge me or pick apart my words. It's none of your business.

This happens evey time I mention being a Christian with a Muslim husband...you would think I would have learned.

OP, I hope all goes well for you in this decision.

 

[tigercat]

I changed my religion after many years of investigating. The Christian religions just did not answer my questions at all. I chose to become a Baha'i and have felt that I was destined to find it. I investigated as many Christian faiths as I could and after many months of talking to the minister or whatever we would always come to the agreement that that particular one was not for me. I feel that everyone has to come to God in their own way and if they have investigated and feel that that faith is for you then that is what you need to believe in. God is there for everyone.
tigercat

 

[Disney Doll]

tigercat, what is the Baha'i faith??? It sounds fascinating.

 

[clarabelle]

WOW! Can't imagina a protestant church being MORE liberal than a Catholic church! What about just changing churches not the whole denomination....

My husband was brought up Untied Church of Christ and it is very liberal. Now he is Presbyterian Church USA which is Also very liberal.
Yes -there is a religious left out there.

To the OP -I think it is wonderful that you want to go to church as a family. I also think it is great that you are trying to research this and make a informed decision. I am sometimes suprised that there are people who go to my church who don't have much of a handle on the theology of our particular denomination. I don't think you have to agree with every word to be a part of a church -but I think it helps if you are on the "same page"
I wish you all the best in your decision and conversion.

 

[Denine]

Thank you all again so much for taking the time to answer me and find other information.

Having lived with a Catholic husband for 14 years and one that went to Catholic school all the way through college, I have a pretty good idea about the religion. The one part that is hard is the Body and Blood of Christ, but I think that is because that wasn't how I was brought up, but if I look into it more and study on it, I am sure I could believe in it. I really don't have a problem with all of the other differences on the list.

Now, I need to talk with DH about this. I am sure he would be thrilled, but I needed some outside opinions and experiences first.

I know it takes a long time to convert and I won't be able to do it until next year at the earliest, since I really want to start attending a church together and finding one we like. I will have plenty of time to research it more.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The good thing that you can keep in mind--if you decide to convert and go through the process..you are NEVER obligated to continue if you find in your self discovery and learn more details about the faith that you are just not connecting. KWIM?

So if you find you are not accepting--you can abandon the process. Since you can't start until next year, you can still get some books on the faith and start reading. I found a really good Catholic bookstore in new mexico--so I am sure there are others out there. So many books---especially the simple ones when you are just starting out. It's been 10 years since I became Catholic and I still cannot digest the more difficult books. But that is just my personality with reading.

 

[Buckalew11]

Beth, I'm not Deb but I am a SB. Everyone is different and I have a friend who converted to Catholicism when she married her DH. But I would never be able to do it. The list Lisa posted is just too different for me to change. I think the most important thing would be the body and blood being real. I have no problem with anyone believing that but I know in my heart I could never partake in that if that was what I truly and honestly believed. That would be my biggest hang-up and I know from reading here that you just should never partake in the catholic church if you do not believe that deep within.

Good luck with the boyfriend!

 

[anut4disney]

tigercat, what is the Baha'i faith??? It sounds fascinating.

I don't know anything about it either but I did find this web site. I have always been fascinated by other religions.

 

[Microcell]

My father is Jewish, and my mother Protestant christian. I believe I am worm food. I was Jewish first, then Christian, then Jewish again after my mom died.

Just think about it, I was told there was no Jesus (they didn't even say he was a prophet until the mid eighties- they refused his existance). Then my parents got divorced and my mom wanted to celebrate Christmas. I had 12 years under my belt of "Jesus is not the messiah (savior)". It has always been very hard to believe he is.

My Dh is a minister's kid. He is worried for my soul and hopes I can believe in Jesus before I die.

For the sake of my children, I practice Christianity because their father's faith is solid, and I want them to have that too.

It is no picnic not thinking there is anything after this life, in fact, it is scary. Whatever you do, a united front is best, and do not vascillate.

 

[numbersman]

You don't know my situation. Don't try to judge me or pick apart my words. It's none of your business.

This happens evey time I mention being a Christian with a Muslim husband...you would think I would have learned.

OP, I hope all goes well for you in this decision.

Whoa, easy there, tiger! Nobody's judging you or picking apart your words. I just had a sincere question as to how you go about your daily life, each of you having religions that are on opposite ends of the spectrum. I say that b/c I know it's not something I could do, b/c I wouldn't be able to get past the fact that I know my spouse wasn't saved as I believe in. As to it being anybody's "business", I didn't ask you about it to begin with, you volunteered the information yourself, so you kind of allowed it to be other's business, to the extent that they now know. If you choose to not answer any other questions about it, then of course, that is your business!

As you say, this happens to you when you mention your religious affiliations, so certainly you understand why people have questions, b/c it seems so odd. I could see one being a SB and one a Presbyterian, b/c they're just different sects of the same religion. But you must admit, Islam and Christianity are by no means the same, and the endings are VERY different after you die!

 

[Deb in IA]

Deb, (I continue to be off topic ) were you a practicing SB before you converted? I am curious, because DD is dating a practicing SB and I was wondering if there might be ANY chance of him ever converting to Catholic.

Hi Beth!

Well, I was never really that invested as a Southern Baptist. I grew up near a large Southern Baptist seminary in Louisville, KY, and joined the church after being invited by my best friend in high school. My own family did not attend church of any kind.

I attended church sporadically in college and even less so in medical school.

After I met DH, we began attending his Episcopal church, but it wasn't until we had been married for 6 years before I was officially received by the bishop into the Episcopal Church. By then, I hadn't attended a Southern Baptist church for at least 10 years.

So, there may be hope for your DD's boyfriend!!

 

[BethR]

Thanks Brenda and Deb!

I truly don't want to convert DD's BF. I just know that their respective faiths are important to DD and to her BF both, and I just worry about what that could mean for their future.

If the BF would convert that would be super! If DD would convert, that would be hard. But truly as long as she "believes" that would be all that would be important. As long as she never looked at the faith of her family with disdain or as long as she never worried about our salvation because we are Catholic it would be OK.

 

[Buckalew11]

Thanks Brenda and Deb!

I truly don't want to convert DD's BF. I just know that their respective faiths are important to DD and to her BF both, and I just worry about what that could mean for their future.

If the BF would convert that would be super! If DD would convert, that would be hard. But truly as long as she "believes" that would be all that would be important. As long as she never looked at the faith of her family with disdain or as long as she never worried about our salvation because we are Catholic it would be OK.

I totally agree with you Beth. For people who don't believe it isn't a big deal but to me it is the most important aspect of my DDs life--her faith in her creator. I don't care where people go to church or even if they go to church but always want for everyone to have a relationship with God. I know that my thoughts offend somepeople and I don't mean them that way. It just is the that important to me and something I feel very passionate about. It is all out of love...nothing more.

And with that, I am out of here to hopefully warm (er) sunny FL!!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I totally agree with you Beth. For people who don't believe it isn't a big deal but to me it is the most important aspect of my DDs life--her faith in her creator. I don't care where people go to church or even if they go to church but always want for everyone to have a relationship with God. I know that my thoughts offend somepeople and I don't mean them that way. It just is the that important to me and something I feel very passionate about. It is all out of love...nothing more.

!!

I think that's where my mother has a tough time with my conversion.I still have a deep belief and reltionship with G-d..I'm just no longer a christian. I'm sure my mother is praying for my immortal soul.
I wonder how people would feel if this disussion wasn't about a *lateral* Coversion ,but one from Christianity to say Judaism or Islam

 

[BethR]

I wonder how people would feel if this disussion wasn't about a *lateral* Coversion ,but one from Christianity to say Judaism or Islam

Jenny, I must admit that if this were to happen with one of my children, it would be very upsetting and confusing to me. But I would hope that it is something that I would learn to accept...

 

[JennyMominRI]

Jenny, I must admit that if this were to happen with one of my children, it would be very upsetting and confusing to me. But I would hope that it is something that I would learn to accept...

I think that's a very honest answer. That's why I try to be so understanding with my mother,and I know she's trying very hard to be understanding with me.. I have tried to assure her that my leaving Cathlocism doesn't mean that she failed in her job..Her rasing me in a strong Catholic home is what gave me the love of G-d and the desire to seek to know more about G-d. I am very fond of Catholicism and Christianity in general and my leaving is not because I think Christianity is *wrong* but that I think Judaism is *right* for me.

 

[clarabelle]

I wonder how people would feel if this disussion wasn't about a *lateral* Coversion ,but one from Christianity to say Judaism or Islam

It would not make a difference for me in my replies. If it were a close family member -I probably would have some pangs- but still be supportive. There are a few of the less mainstream reigions that would make me uncomfortable (Scientology for example).

 

[palmtreegirl]

I was raised Catholic and my parents use to teach the RCIA classes, they always had people of all ages and backrounds in their classes. I do remember that they also had people change their minds and drop it, so you could always start and if you decide it's not for you just drop out too.

Good luck! I've been searching for a religion for years but still haven't found one, probably because my beliefs are all over the chart and I never seem to fit into any of them.

 

[frndshpcptn]

"I wonder how people would feel if this disussion wasn't about a *lateral* Coversion ,but one from Christianity to say Judaism or Islam"

It would upset me if one of my relatives converted from Judiasm to Christianity. But I wouldn't cut them out of my life...

 

[JennyMominRI]

"I wonder how people would feel if this disussion wasn't about a *lateral* Coversion ,but one from Christianity to say Judaism or Islam"

It would upset me if one of my relatives converted from Judiasm to Christianity. But I wouldn't cut them out of my life...

Yeah. I don't understand how any parent could do that.