i am southern baptist and my husband is catholic please help?

Question

he hasn't gone to church in many years, but his ex-wife and him used to go together and take their kids when they were married. he says he didn't like the "church" part of it, but he still has a relationship with God. problem is, now we have custody of his kids and they haven't been going to church last couple yrs either and his 13 yr old daughter has been influenced to go to catholic church by her friends and other family so she can have a quince. i think if she is going to be catholic, her dad should go with her to church. she is doing ccd work, but it bothers me that she was happy going to church with me and her little brother and now for the sake of having a party and learning spanish and dances, she suddenly switches. i thought catholic was traditionally something that the whole family is - why would he let her go if he doesn't believe it himself. how will she have it anyway if neither her dad nor i are a part of it?

i did do research and that is why i am concerned. i gather that parents are involved in the ceremony and her dad doesn't seem to care much and her mom is brainwashed on drugs and i am not catholic - that is why i am asking for advise. and the values that she is taking away don't seem to be equal with what the catholics teach, i would expect more morals from her if she is taking it seriously. she has been in a lot of trouble lately since she switched churches. that is why i suspect she is only going because of peer pressure, not because she understands the beliefs.

i just guess i feel that if she were going to a church that i knew the religious beliefs of, i could better teach her. especially since her dad isn't reinforcing the catholis beliefs, i don't see how the are doing any good. am i cruel to not want to convert myself in order to teach support her beliefs. it is hard to parent when the beliefs are different.

how would the church accept him when he married me anyway? i feel like the catholics would judge her because of the blendded family.

Answer 1

You're correct. The Quince Años is a renewal of one's baptismal promises and a signal that one is ready to become actively involved in the life, mission, and work of the Roman Catholic Church. As such, it shouldn't be taken lightly. If I understand correctly, the quinceañera usually has an interview with a priest or panel beforehand in which she is asked questions about her commitment to her faith and the commitment of her family. I don't know how the priest or panel will rule in her case. You might take your questions to someone at the Catholic church where she's planning to have the ceremony.

Answer 2

Well a baptist church surely may not baptize them at a while two and three. Baptists comply with a modern-day culture of guys wherein a man or woman needs to be historic sufficient to make a individual dedication to Christ, and baptism then serves as an outward signal of that dedication. This of path is an suggestion no Christian in the world ever heard of till a couple of hundred years in the past. The Catholic Church follows the conventional and biblical educating that no-you will input the dominion with out baptism, and that it's as a result fundamental to baptize a little one as quickly as feasible. And, the baptism isn't some thing we do to illustrate our religion in God, however some thing God does, to fill our soul with grace and to make us individuals of the frame of Christ. Your youngsters can't be baptized two times. The Catholic Church acknowledges Baptist baptism as legitimate, and as a result won't rebaptize a man or woman baptized in a Baptist church. .

Answer 3

She's old enough to start making spiritual decisions for herself. Even if her rationale isn't the best at this point, she's at least putting herself into a position to explore religious issues. As for the "whole family" aspect of Catholicism, I can't tell you how many times I went to Mass in my youth without either of my parents in attendance. Other kids I knew were there alone, too. In that respect, it's just like any other religion. The Baptists used to send out a bus to pick up kids for church, and you'd never see any of their parents riding the bus (in other words, it's pretty common for children to attend church without any backing from their family). Just be glad she's going to church, whatever the reason, and is exploring that instead of very real alternatives like sex or drugs.

Answer 4

Pastor Billy says: don't get upset but have you ever thought he doesn't go himself because he knows intrinsically he is living in sin with you. The Catholic Church teaches divorce is a sin hence he is not comfortable admitting this, he might even be angry at the Churches stance on the issue as well as others. Clearly when it comes to his daughter he does know the Catholic Church teaches the truth and deep down it is a part of his and her culture, his and her identity. I'll write some more later

looks like I'll write some more now. 'Today' you goof Catholics are Christians, we believe in Jesus as Lord and God, we profess the Trinity One God, we accept Jesus as our savior, we teach that salvation is foremost received by the grace of God and without his grace we can do nothing. I could go on and on but frankly your answer 'Today' isn't an answer just another ignorant person who has never examined Catholicism for what it truly is.

"There is not a 100 persons who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they think it to be."

Archbisop Fullen Sheen, "bye now and God love you"


addition #2 you ask why the Church still accepts your husband? Well the Church doesn't turn anyone away. Catholicism believes sinners and saints are joined until the end and it will be Jesus who will separate the flock, or the tares from the wheat and all this happens within the church. It is the fundamentalist view which assumes we are already fully perfected with the church here on earth. The Catholic understanding is we are always being perfected or at least have a opportunity of perfection right up to our physical death. It is a process hence the church does not condone sinful behavior but through all things shows mercy to those who desire repentence. As Jesus is continually calling us so to his Church must also do. Perhaps there is more than meets the eye, perhaps your husband has received an anullment and the Church has after close examination understood his first marriage wasn't a marriage at all. This however is something you did not say so I'm only guessing.

I really suggest you study what Catholicism actually teaches before think your step-childs spiritual-life is in jeopardy.
see the vatican website and do a search on the catechism link for marriage.

Finally you really have a great opportunity here not only with your step-daughter but also with your husband. You should investigate the RCIA class at the Catholic Church, RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. I know many non-Catholics who check this course out and never convert but enter into it for a better understanding of Catholicism in a non-stress, non-evangelist setting. You might end up encouraging your husband back to church with you by your own interest.

I just keep writing lol, you know your question is very interesting for example after reading it again I now understand you assumed being Catholic is merely a family tradition (or what I assume you think a ritual) but what about being a Southern Baptist where you not also raised in a Southern Baptist tradition? and if not why do you assume the Catholic Church does not receive adult converts to the faith? If any church claims to be the church established by Jesus Christ and still existing in the world today well would that mean generations of Christians have handed on the faith from generation to generation forming part of their family and individual identity? Interesting don't you think as this would mean our Christian belief is formed by the teaching of generations handed down to us from the time of Jesus hence..........tradition. :)

I hope I've helped and have not offended you. I usually deal with some very anti-Catholic people on yahoo and my responses do not always hit the right nerve but I find in many cases some non-Catholics who believe they've been given a tradition of bible interpretation that is unchallengeable need to be strongly challenged with stronger language.

Peace of Christ.

Answer 5

I am southern baptist also and have many friends and family that are in mixed marriages with catholics. The best thing you can do is allow the girl to make her own decisions about which religion she should pursue. Then respect her choice and do whatever you can to nurture that.
The worst thing you can do is complain about her decision and press her and your husband to do something they don't want to do. You can always politely ask them if they would like to go to church with you but don't judge them or even act dissapointed if they don't go.

Answer 6

Catholic, Southern Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist, or whatever the church association, if we of the christian faith beleive in God and are willting to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, what does it matter. We are all part of the Body of Jesus Christ.As long as you remember and remain in your faith, your husband and daughter-in-law will be sanctified. Let her find Christ where she is, and not where you think she should find it. As for your husband, help him to see that church is not a building, but rather, a group of people who beleive that Jesus is the Son of God.

Answer 7

Your step-daughter is old enough to decide. Isn't that why you Southern Baptist don't baptize until a person is old enough to decide on their own. What is a "quince?" I know what the fruit is, but I have no idea what you are talking about. If the Holy Spirit is leading your step-daughter to join the Catholic Church, who are you to interfere. If He isn't, she will find out. Trust God,and let Him lead the way. YBIC

Answer 8

Uh, if she's happily Catholic and going to church (something your husband isn't) why do you care? She's not dragging you along to a church that isn't of your faith or sitting at home watching MTV. She sounds like she's happy and having fun. Leave her alone. I'd understand your concern if she was doing something dangerous, but going to church and praying and being someone that any parent would be proud of does not warrent the headache you're giving yourself.

Answer 9

The foucus shouldnt be on church as much as there faith in Jesus. If your husband loves his children then he would want all his children to be professing Christians. Put the emphasis on the fact salavation comes by faith and just because the kids were baptized as infants it doesnt mean there saved.

Answer 10

A family that prays together stays together. Ask him to go to confession, usually when someone is in mortal sin it is difficult to go to God even though God is waiting for him with his loving mercy. God Bless