can a catholic marry a christian???

Question

i am a catholic in love with my boyfriend that is a christian but we are having so many problems because we are different religion and have different beliefs...we have had many fights about it because when we have children i want them to be catholic and he wants them to be christian and then the other problem is that when its time for our wedding we dont know in which church to get married in...i'm very sad right now i love him so much and about to lose him just beacuse of a religion...please help me and give me advice i really need it...thanks for reading

Answer 1

First off, you should know by now that Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity. If you knew this before but your boyfriend convinced you differently, this tells me already he is attempting to change and control your beliefs. Big red flag warning!
Another thing, if you are having this this much friction between you now, it's not going to get better. I strongly suggest looking into what you are planning to get yourself into before making that commitment. There seems to be more underlying problems than religion here.
If you still want to go forward with this, talk to the officials at YOUR church. They can tell you the rules about marrying outside the Catholic faith.

Answer 2

First, remember that Catholic IS Christian. We were the first Christians. But anyway, wow I have the same problem. I've been with my b/f for over 7 years and sometimes the arguments can get really bad. He is one of those fundamentalist christian religions (although he used to be Catholic) and I am Roman Catholic. What annoys me most is that usually peolple of those religions seem to think they know everything and they always have to have an answer for everything. And I absolutely HATE the rapture philosophy they have. Anyway, myself personally, I would never get married any other way than the Catholic way. I think it isn't valid in our church if u were to be married in another religion and definitely not in a court. So whoever suggested that, that is bad advice. You need to do what is best for you though. But I would think if someone truly wanted to be with you, they would get married in the Catholic church-you know, they religion started by Jesus. Not one that was started 100 years ago. Btw, whoever said that your b/f would have to get baptized in your church to marry you is wrong-that isn't true.

Answer 3

I'm guessing from the way you've phrased your question that you're not as strong in your faith as he is in his. Catholics and non-Catholics often conflict because we have a lot of cultural differences, though the religious differences are very very minor. But these differences come out in language - non-Catholic Christians will talk about "being saved" while Catholics talk about "being in grace" - really the same thing is meant, that you're walking with Christ, and walking well.

My guess is that one of these language differences comes up in your relationship with his insistence that you "be saved" and your reply that you "go to Mass."

It may be helpful to sit with a relationship counselor (I can mention a few in St. Louis, but check with someone outside of both of your communities so that there is no bias in the mediation) to be able to iron out exactly where you do have differences. Most importantly, it's good for you both to speak the same language. You may find that your differences are based on misunderstandings (yours and his), or you may find they are based on substance. It is at least good to know where you stand.

It sounds like this is not the only thing you are arguing about. There a relationship counselor will help, too.

As far as where to get married, generally there's not a problem for a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic, but baptized, Christian in a Catholic church. There's some paperwork to be done (mainly to make sure the non-Catholic is actually baptized). It is important to make sure you agree on what marriage means, since a Catholic marriage is considered a sacrament, while some Christian churches don't believe in sacramentalism.

As far as raising the children, I think you both can find a substantial common ground on the core of our faith (the "mere Christianity" as C.S. Lewis would have it) and on the ethics. The major difficulty I can think of (and that can be talked through with the help of an outside counselor) is that raising Catholic generally means infant baptism, while raising non-denominational or evangelical generally means adult baptism only. Note that Catholics accept adult baptism as just as valid as infant baptism, so this is a point of compromise. I know of families that attend two services every Sunday, and give the children their choice of how to learn. What is important is to agree to a plan and stick with it - don't argue religion in front of the kids or they'll end up like the rest of us on Yahoo!Answers, bickering amongst ourselves ;-)

If I can be of any help in the language barrier between Catholics and non-Catholics, let me know.

In Christ,
V17

Answer 4

That's what happen when people are fanatics. I am in love with a catholic man and I wish to marry him. I am an evangelical christian but I am not baptized yet, and I was suppose to years ago. If I were to marry him I have to get bautized by obligation. I would convert to catholism to him, religion doesnt matter much to me. That doesnt stop me from believing in God.

Answer 5

A Catholic IS a Christian so obviously yes.

If you mean a Catholic and a Protestant, yes it's also possible. Sounds like you two have some issues to work out first. If you talk it out you might be able to work out some sort of understanding or compromise. Good luck!

Answer 6

you can still believe the way that you were raised and still have a happy marriage. as far as the kids alternate every sunday so that they can see what it is like in both churches and when they get old enough then they can make their own minds up on how they want to be. ultimatly it will be their choice anyway. as far as the wedding you could do one of two things either have a ceremony in both churches or go to the courthouse and get married by a judge.

Answer 7

i would not say that you are a different religion. i would say that you are of a different denomination of Christianity as a whole. Do you both believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the Christ? and that only through Jesus can a person enter heaven?
before the rise of Lutheranism, Calvinism, protestantism, Catholicism, there was only one name for it. Christianity. it was not until years later, was it called the Roman Catholic Church.

different denominations of a faith are not necessarily different religions.

myself, there is a biblical passage that helps explain this. found in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9 verses 38-41. It is here that the disciples come to Jesus, and announce that they discovered a man casting out demons in the name of Christ (Jesus). however they tell this man to stop, for he was not accompanying those that followed Jesus everywhere. Jesus then rebukes them, saying that "For no one who will work a deed of great power in my name will immediately be able to speak evil of me." He went on to say that "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you are Christ's, 'Amen,' I say to you, that he will certainly not be without his reward."

This passage has been used for years to show that God and Jesus do not care what denomination you follow. If you live your life by Christ's teachings, then you will receive your reward.

You and your boyfriend need to talk things out about this. It is silly differences on how a man prays that has caused many atrocities in this world.

talk to your respective ministers/priests. Pray. but most importantly, talk to each other. If your love is real, and you are both on God's side, all will end in happiness.

yours in Christ,

a friend.

Answer 8

My mother is catholic and my dad is christian and they did not argue about this because christians and catholics are the basuc roots of each other

Answer 9

Thaks you have just sved my love for a women that I thought I would have to let go because of re;igone
I thank all of you that ansewrd this qwestion.

Answer 10

One of you has to change faiths.