Can a Catholic and an athiest ever marry?

Question

Do you think it would work out? I am catholic, boyfriend is raised catholic but athiest and not open to religion. Can it work out? Will our kids be soulless? He is willing to marry in the Catholic church but I feel it would be a lie to get married in the church before the priest and such. Please help, opinions help. Thanks.

He says he is willing to go to church and maybe some classes, but that he is convinced he will never be capable to get into religion. He said when he was young, he went to catechism classes but all he could do was ask questions and no one could answer him. I love him very much, but this issue is such a large one. He just suggests that we never bring it up, but I don't see how I can do that. But I do love him...

Answer 1

Yes it can happen. If he's truly an athiest he can simply 'pretend' to be catholic simply for the ceremony and for your sake. If he refuses, he's probably just one of those people who are athiest only because he wants people to think he's really intelligent. (because a lot of ahtiests are actually just as unsure as anyone else about the existance of god) Athiests don't have a responsibility to destroy religion or anything, they can go into a church all they want, and your children will absolutely NOT be soulless. All human beings are born with a soul. Also, it will not be a "lie" to get married in church.
You would be completing the final sacrament in your religion and thus living properly. If you should raise your children in a similar fashion they will be just as well off. Remember this, it's Jesus Christ that is important, not any sort of religion's tactics to survive as a theological institution. Remember that the church only survived since antioch because of 'church laws' and cannon law. These laws were in place to ensure the existence of the church for years to come, but the purpose of the church was to keep the memory of Jesus' teaching alive and active with a firey passion. Your best bet is to whatever you do, understand the relationship you have with the trinity. You will be fine.

It seems to me that alot of people are calling themselves athiests but they really aren't nor do they even understand what an athiest is. They refuse religion in any way shape or form but don't really do so for the "right" reason. They do it because they want to be different, they do it because they think it makes them look like an intellectual, and they don't do it because its truly a belief of theirs. They don't do it because they understand people like Richard Dawkins, often too, they do it because they don't truly understand religion or they feel religion has done nothing good for them.

Answer 2

what makes you think it would not work? How about instead of being married in the church you go to the Justice of the peace and have that person marry the two of you, then if you have kids YOU can take them to the catholic church until they hit maybe 14 or 15 and let them decided if they want to continue in a church of their choice or no church at all. I know a few Atheist that are married to church goers and all has worked out for them.

Answer 3

There are 5 major issues that often cause conflict in a marriage:
1. Finances:
a. How to spend the cash.
b. How much to save.
c. What the financial priorities are.

2. Children:
a. When to have them
b. How many?
c. Birth control (whether to use it and what type)

3. Sex:
a. Frequency
b. Techniques
c. Satisfaction

4. RELIGION
a. Which one?
b. If couple disagrees on beliefs, what will the children be taught regarding religion?
c. Non-religious spouses often feel condemned by their religious spouse.

5. In-laws
a. How much input can they have in the relationship?
b. If one spouse relies strongly on a parent for relational insight, mistrust between the couple can often result.
c. Sometimes we just don't get along with our in-laws!

Answer 4

As somebody who became raised a catholic, who would desire to not settle for the instructions, and am now an atheist i could say you're actually not to any extent further a catholic. Deep down I guess you recognize that too. you're conserving up the visual charm of being a catholic as a results of fact of your loved ones, and specific the fears and guilt you have been subjected to over the years. I guess you do not bypass to confession, receive the sacraments, and infrequently if ever bypass to mass. All of this may well be a factor of being a catholic and is in direct opposition to being an atheist, besides as, your perspectives of god. i don't think of you're offending all and sundry, you're basically pointing out your place immediately as you're beginning your journey removed from the church. you have considered and comprehend the failings which do not upload up while it includes the religion, lots of of those issues are tied to a concept in god as your thinking expands and as time is going via you will replace into much less tied to the church and could locate your guy or woman course. sturdy luck to you.

Answer 5

My husband (who is a devout Catholic) and I (a long-time atheist) have been happily married for 30 years. We got married in a Catholic church for appearance sake only but the priest knew and approved of the union. We have three grown children. Do you want to know the secret to our success? We simply love and respect each other. I don't say a WORD when he goes to Mass every Saturday afternoon at the local Catholic church. He never says a WORD when I start spouting off about the Bible being a collection of well-written "stories" and that Jesus was just a great prophet. The kids were never christened nor sent to parochial schools. My husband and I felt that if we brought them up with good "Christian" morals of right and wrong, they'd turn out just fine, and they have. I have to admit that none are religious, all three question God's existence. We just don't talk about the subject of religion in front of Dad and/or his family. If all of us have to attend a Catholic wedding or funeral, for example, we simply play along. Our personal beliefs are just that, they are PERSONAL!

Answer 6

The Church will not sanction such a union.....and YES, it would be a lie to ALL, and before ALL those concerned. You, your children, and atheist friend all have a soul; however, something as sacred as marriage MUST be kept sacred in order to succeed logically, physically, and spiritually. What you are describing is an invalid convulsion and grounds for an annulment even before the marriage has been performed....See your parish priest for answers/solutions to your dilemma.

Answer 7

i dont think it will work out, sorry to say. It really doesnt even depend on how catholic you are. Just you believing in God is enough to make it not work. When problems arise later down the road, like financial problems, stress, children, family, illness, holidays, etc...how will you deal with them? If you are like me and many other believers you are going to pray about it, seek spiritual support, or maybe just have faith that you will get through your tough time. If your husband doesnt agree with that how is h going to support you through these hard times?? How will you support him?? I am a non catholic christian and couldnt make a relationship with a catholic work solely because of differences in beliefs. If you can do it, great, but i dont think you will be happy. sorry sweetie :(

Answer 8

Of course they can. However your going to have to have a good discussion with each other regarding religion. Your marriage isn't going to last if you keep trying to convert him and he doesn't want to be a catholic. You will just both have to accept each others beliefs without trying to convert each other. Well I personally don't believe in souls, but it sounds like you do. Your boyfriend had a soul when he was born right? and when he was being raised catholic right? So when he decided he was atheist did it dissapear or something? If he decides to be catholic again does a new pop in to fill the void? If you believe in souls I would say that everyone has one regardless of their beliefs. I agree with you about it being a lie on his part to be married in a church, but he isn't doing that part for him, he is doing it for you because he wants you to be happy.

Answer 9

It would be better if he were apathetic towards religion, at least then he wouldn't complain about you taking the kids to church. But to marry someone who is against religion is very troubling. The ceremony would be a sham, the kids would pick up on Daddy's feelings. Hopefully your children would be baptized, but imagine their struggles thereafter with only one parent showing them the way while the other parent undermines the effort.

How much better it would be to find someone with whom you can joyfully share your religion!!

Answer 10

depends how religious you are... If you are in church 24/7 obviously he will not like the idea of having a wife like that other than that there shouldnt be a problem so what he is not into religion? maybe later he will get in touch with it either way no difference marry the guy