I'm an atheist and in a serious relation with a religious woman (Pentecostal). We're together for a year now and are hoping to get married next year.
I'm not worried that our different (non-)religious views are posing a problem, but there is one thing which is really bothering me: She's always avoiding talking about her religion and I don't know or understand why.
Although my parents are agnostic, I did attend a christian school and do know something about the bible, Christianity and religion in general. As for my girlfriend, all I know she is Pentecostal and raises her children as such too. (We're both mid 40's and both have had past relationships).
For me Pentecostalism is a mystery; I read about that so I have some idea what it involves, but I don't know anything about the 'practical' side. She's not going to church, because there's no Pentecostal church near her, but I don't know if she is actively practicing her faith and how she's doing that; heck, I don't even know if she prays.
Every time I ask her about her religion she ignores me or tells me we talk some other time about that when we're together again (currently we're living in different countries).
I don't understand why she even doesn't want to answer straight forward questions like "do you pray?"
To be clear, I'm only interested in that aspect of her life, because I love her and want a future with her. I have no intentions to talk her out of her faith; although I have a different view, it is her choice and not for me to decide otherwise.
I feel a bit lost, so I'm hoping someone here with a much better understanding of faith than me, can give me some ideas how to approach her.
Thanks,
Bob
I'm not worried that our different (non-)religious views are posing a problem, but there is one thing which is really bothering me: She's always avoiding talking about her religion and I don't know or understand why.
Although my parents are agnostic, I did attend a christian school and do know something about the bible, Christianity and religion in general. As for my girlfriend, all I know she is Pentecostal and raises her children as such too. (We're both mid 40's and both have had past relationships).
For me Pentecostalism is a mystery; I read about that so I have some idea what it involves, but I don't know anything about the 'practical' side. She's not going to church, because there's no Pentecostal church near her, but I don't know if she is actively practicing her faith and how she's doing that; heck, I don't even know if she prays.
Every time I ask her about her religion she ignores me or tells me we talk some other time about that when we're together again (currently we're living in different countries).
I don't understand why she even doesn't want to answer straight forward questions like "do you pray?"
To be clear, I'm only interested in that aspect of her life, because I love her and want a future with her. I have no intentions to talk her out of her faith; although I have a different view, it is her choice and not for me to decide otherwise.
I feel a bit lost, so I'm hoping someone here with a much better understanding of faith than me, can give me some ideas how to approach her.
Thanks,
Bob
