differing beliefs-Catholosism-Hmmm?

[Codeman]

Hi there!
Ok- some background info...

I am a pastor's kid. I have grown up in the First Church of God (non denominational)(protestant). I am solid in my beliefs, and I am confident that if I died today- heaven here I come- basically I'm saying I'm solid. (glory to God ) I plan to go into missions- or at least the ministry- I feel God calling me that way. Actually I plan to move to south dakota within a few years to work and eventually take over a Mission/church out there.

****I do not date a person if I think I wouldn't marry them.

I met a girl about 2.5 months ago. We hit it off and she is great. Honestly....I am head over heals- but she needs some time away from guys to help her focus on what is important and clear her head some...so I am waiting for a while. Anyhow, she is Catholic- traditional catholic. She is solid in her beliefs and her relationship with Christ. But...she, being Catholic, believs in some things that I find a little not so believable- things that I would not teach/preach, nor want my kids to believe. Little things, like "Mary was without sin" and praying to saints, and purgatory. As far as the basics of salvation and our love/passion for Christ, we are on the same page. Also, she participates in normal Catholic stuff, like confession, and mass- which would not be available out in SD (We would be running a protestant Christian church). So...what do I do? I do not want to try to "convert her"- that just wouldnt' be right...lol. Any advice is welcome, especially from catholics!
thanx!!

Codeman

 

[Pope Gonzo]

Discuss both of your beliefs together, with open Bible. If you find that God is really convicting the both of you in different directions(as per Romans 14), then maybe being together wouldn't work out in the end.

 

[Codeman]

yeah, I kinda figured. thanx! It's just....?
anyone else?

 

[Maeyken]

Why would she not be able to practice her Catholic faith in SD? Are there no Catholic churches there? :O

But seriously, if you are going to be in a relationship with someone who is of a different denomination, you need to seriously consider your feelings if that person never wanted to change. I know for myself, it is very important that I go to the same church as my husband (when I get a husband! lol). Is this important to you? How important? Is it important to her? Perhaps it is, perhaps it is not. Could you be married to someone who does not share your beliefs? How much would you be willing to change your beliefs for someone you love? You can't expect her to change any more than she can expect you to change, right?

That's a tough situation, and I don't know what I'd do if it were me. Catholicism seems to be a lot different from protestantism. My bf is Baptist, and I'm Mennonite, and if and when we get married, I will attend his church because to me it is very important for me to attend the same church as he does. Lucky for me, our denominations' beliefs are very similar, so there's not really anything I object to in their beliefs. But if my s/o had beliefs I could not accept? Wow, I'm just glad I'm not faced with that. Prayers for you, and I trust God will work things out in His way.

 

[Iggster]

I was born and raised a catholic. However, as I have come to know the truth, I started questioning everything I practiced. I am not bound by human traditions. It's not about my religion. It's my relationship with God.

My best suggestion to you is to take your bible and her bible, then read them together. Especially the verse about not bowing to idols......Forgot which verse it was.

I think you have a tough battle ahead of you. My mother, a devout catholic, persecuted my older sister for believing in the truth. This road will take alot of prayer, if you choose to pursue her. It will not be easy........I guarantee you.

 

[Codeman]

Thank you all very much! I appreciate it greatly!

 

[Sketcher]

I personally wouldn't get together with a Catholic because that generally leads to marraige, which leads to kids. She might want to teach them to pray to Mary and the saints and all that stuff, which I don't believe in. Rather than going through that wringer, I'll just stick to women with my own values. I believe children need and deserve for their parents to be united in how they are to be raised, rather than divided. They should both go to the same church, have the same (or similar) politics, they should have the same devotion to Christ. They need to talk things out ahead of time and agree on how the child will be raised. Neither parent should contradict the other.

 

[nahMish]

my opinion? dont go there !

my ex boyfriend and i were from different denominations and both actively involved in our churches. i do believe that we serve the same God and we will one day be raised to the same heaven-however, the foundation of your marriage needs to be concrete in God-not just your relationships with him and to each other, but also your beliefs. i know that God did not ask me to change the truth that he has convicted me of, nor did he ask that of my ex....
we ended up breaking up after nearly two years because it just became too hard. our foundation wasnt firm in that we believed diffferent things which affected what we valued and our perceptions of God etc....
i am still in contact with him and i cant wait till God brings him his wife (who i am pretty sure will be of the same denomination !)
i believe that the verse "do not be unequally yoked" also applies to differences in denominations-its the same God that we serve, but can you really have a divided household in that way? what are you going to raise your kids to believe?
mums view, or dad's view? talk about confusion...