Yoshi was arrogant enough to tell me what I believe - and he was wrong. He was right in his mind, and I stated how he was incorrect.

What I originally said was official Catholic teaching. I'm not saying everyone has to agree with me. What I am saying is that it is not up to any interpretation by him, myself, or anyone else..it is what it is. He has yet to disprove that.

No, **** it, let the thread continue on.

Wow, I'm simply stunned at how fast this trhead grew. Then again, it does address RELIGION at MASSASSI, so of course it's going to grow exponentially long and get derailed. Thanks for the comments I'ev gotten, it looks like there's a pretty decent split of ideas here, keep it flowing. I tend to agree with those of you that have said that if you really want it to work, it will. I think that a good marriage comes not from being perfect, but having teh love and desire to make the marriage successful. We do get too hung up on the perfect relationship - relationships aren't perfect and there are going to be problems. But personally I'm of the belief that we can do it.

And someone addressed the idea of being a parent that stays at home on Sundays - that was just the example she used in order to show me what she meant, I would intend to go on Sundays to church myself. I'm an agnostic, not an atheist. I'm sitting on the fence. I don't not believe God exists, I'm simply unsure of whether he exists or not. So I can tell my kids that I'm still finding my way too. I don't mind going to church, in fact, I usually enjoy learning more about her religon and its views. It helps me to get to know her better. So I have trouble seeing this point. At some point they're going to question their own beliefs, but it won't be for lack of guidance on my part.

I'll just say this: You can only hold your their hands for so long, and then they're going to have to decide for themselves what they believe.

Okay Ramos, ignore what all of those other self-righteous, arrogant, misinformed simpletons have said so far.

Here's the answer you need:

If she is a "true" conservative Christian, she wouldn't be having this issue. Most people who are faithfully serious about what is written in scripture would not come to this junction, because, as has been stated, it is quite plainly restricted. The simple fact that the relationship has gotten this far indicates that she is not completely and entirely devoted to her "religion" (for lack of a better word), and will probably continue with the relationship, after a bit if coaxing.

Chances are the two of you can work it out; I predict trouble for this relationship, though.

I would have to advise against it. I've dated people of different faiths than mine, and while we could ignore our differences for awhile, our different beliefs ended up pushing us apart eventually, and it lead to some really ugly breakups.

Careful now.

I was raised in a home where my father didn't go to church, but my mother did. It caused a lot of arguments and confusion (mainly because my mother belonged to a cult known as the Pentecostal religion), but after a certain age, I was able to make a decision for myself, one that I'm most comfortable with. Both my mother and father are now Pentecostals and I've learned to avoid those people like the plague.

As long as my spouse doesn't treat church like it's more important than me, it'll be all good. As long as she isn't very brainwashed and can think for herself and doesn't turn to church to make every little decision for her.

Those are the types of people that require a spouse of the same faith, because their lives are so hopelessly devoted to religion. Normal people can usually get along just fine if they have different religions, because they're sensible and realize that the person they married is far more important than their religion.

Of course, even a happy relationship between a muslim and a non-muslim can be.

Then again there are those that aren't.

er, well, technically, if they're christian they should act like its more important then you, it should be the most important thing bar none... just my two cents.

(also not saying its right, per se, i'm an atheist. i just happen to know my catholic teachings very well)

I really don't see how anyone could believe that.. after all, why even get married then? Just go marry your religion

These kinda posts make me wonder--who's worse, the closed-minded Religious folk, or the closed-minded non-Religious folk?

Both same crap.

Because you're talking about earthly live vs. eternal life. God should be the most important thing in your life. your spouse has nothing on god, so to speak, and so religion should come fist and foremost. "You should have no other gods before me", in other words, you should treat god with the highest respect and the most important, and therefore religion.



agreed

[QUOTE=Dj Yoshi]These kinda posts make me wonder--who's worse, the closed-minded Religious folk, or the closed-minded non-Religious folk?[/QUOTE]

Who's worse? Person A, who ignores PEOPLE? Or person B, who ignores RELIGION? PEOPLE > RELIGION. The feelings of people are more important than religion. Paying attention to people is more important than paying attention to religion. People are damn important.

well, i think he's saying you're both just using different ways of saying 'LALALALALA!!! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" not sure if i agree in this case, you jsut haven;t had proper catholic teaching, as far as i can tell, so you don't know. but normally an atheist can be as close-minded as a religious person about the same things.

But the feelings of people are the only thing that can matter because those are the only thing that exist. Are you going to place your bets on some afterlife at the expense of peoples' feelings, or are you going to pay attention to them and love them unconditionally because they are all that exist in the here and now? I would marry someone of any faith, even a harcore Christain, because I understand that all people have potential and all deserve affection. I would do my best to help them understand that of course, because I would not enjoy being treated less than optimally by my spouse.

To be honest, I'm not surprised at Free's reaction. Reformed Mormons among other similarly confining religion reformists usually reject religion in ANY form and basically give the "LALALALALLAALL I CAN'T HEAR YOU" reaction.

[quote=Dj Yoshi]These kinda posts make me wonder--who's worse, the closed-minded Religious folk, or the closed-minded non-Religious folk?[/quote]
I agree..



Having respect for human life & feelings does in no way contradict my religion.

I am suggesting it does if your religion teaches you to marry those of the same religion.

[QUOTE=Dj Yoshi]To be honest, I'm not surprised at Free's reaction. Reformed Mormons among other similarly confining religion reformists usually reject religion in ANY form and basically give the "LALALALALLAALL I CAN'T HEAR YOU" reaction.[/QUOTE]

Way to take a low blow at me.

At one time, I would have claimed religion as my top priority. I would have said god is the most important part of my life and all other facets of my life such as family, work, and school would all take a back seat to him. I understand this philosophy quite well. To tell me I'm not listening to your point of view is to tell me I didn't live eighteen years of my life living that exact philosophy. I did.

Yes, Yoshi, I am a little overly-wary of religion. After spending nearly two decades in a dogmatic cult, I think I've earned the luxury. I was lucky enough to escape. Many aren't. As a result, my internal sensors are finely tuned to detect similar institutional dogma, even less severe dogma. I am sorry if my current threshold for dealing with organized religion's rules and dogma is too low to suit you, but understand that it is a necessary defense mechanism to ward off similar religions that would have me. To join another religion (for me) is analogous to escaping a swarm of angry bees by jumping into a pit of snakes. I'm sure you can understand.

I can respect someone without marrying them. Regardless, it doesn't mandate what you're saying, although it is encouraged.


I know you were talking to Yoshi, but I do see what you're saying.

If you were truly interested in the religion, and actually trying to learn the ways with your children, that would be great.

The marriage would be great, but like I said before (I think) the biggest problem will be religion. If you can get interested in the religion, and go every Sunday with you wife/kids, and even choose to follow it, that'd be great. The only real problem would be religion.

Why do people think that churches brainwash people? And besides if someone truly beleive in Christ (as I do) then He must be the most importaint thing in their life. It is the only logical conclution of my faith. My wife (when I have one) will never be able to forgive my sins or make me righteous by dying for me.

First off Christ was God and so he had the power to forgive (because sin is ultimately against God). But he was also a man so he was able to represent men before God. His death was the death that we all deserve and the life he deserved gets imputed to us.

Because of that there cannot be anything more importaint for a Christian.

Sorry if I sound preachy but I wanted to give a defense for why I don't think the relationship can work. It has very little to do with what my religion says(although it does say that). It is the only logical conclution to beleiving it, and if you don't agree with the beleif please atleast see that there is a logical reason Christians shouldn't marry non-Christians, beyond "the Bible said so(which would be reason enough)."