My son's girlfriend is Baptist & we're Pentecost. Why will her dad let her go ANYWHERE with us except church?

Question

We love God with all our heart & live the best way we know how. We always try to help people and show them love. We are faithful to church and we had a 5th Sunday Singing tonight and refreshments afterward and my son's girlfriend's church did not have church tonight. Still...she was not allowed to go with us. Is it not true that there are only two places to go when you die? Heaven or Hell? Then, if you can't worship together here, how does her dad think we will worship together in Heaven? Or maybe he believes only HIS church or just the Baptist religion will go to Heaven. I would like some input on this by someone with something to say that understands and can help.

Answer 1

He feels he has to give an account for how he raises his daughter and he has every right to choose this decision until she is out of the home. On the other hand you can choose to respect his decision or not. It is frustrating though and I was involved in this myself as the daughter whose father wouldn't allow it. I grew up enough to make my own choice but until then I had to respect my fathers decision to keep the peace. All the Baptists I know, do not believe that they are the only church that is going to go to heaven, so I wouldn't think that. There are quite a few doctrinal issues that separate Baptists from Pentecosts though and maybe he wishes she not be exposed to those yet. I am sure you are good, decent people but I wouldn't take this personal if I were you. Turn the situation around and see if you look at it the same way.

Answer 2

I was raised as a Baptist and as an adult have allowed my children to visit other denominations of the Christian Religion because I believe that it's important to examine your own and other peoples beliefs in order to make an informed decision for yourself on why you believe what you believe. My children who are now grown have told me that when they visit a Pentecost Church, they are startled by the 'speaking in tongues' that occurred. They said it was a disruption to what might have been a meaningful worship service. Now I know the day of Pentecost occurred in the New Testement where 1000s spoke in tongues and this is a fundemental practice of the Pentecostal Church. However, I consider myself a devout Christian with a personal relationship with Christ Jesus as my Savior and have never had this experience. I have been through some pretty dark periods in my life and have relied on my faith to get me through them and but for the Grace of God through Jesus I am still alive and able to worship Him. My point in telling you all this is 'the speaking in tongues' seems to affect almost everyone in a Pentecostal Church's congregation...but why then are no Baptist or Methodist or Catholics or Lutherans or Presbyterians affected this way, if it's truly a supernatural experience. ( I'm not asking this in a sarcastic manner, it's just something I have thought of before) I truly believe that the Holy Spirit does not favor one denomination over another. Probably the father of your son's girlfriend considers some of the Pentecostal's fundemental beliefs are too far from his own as I do. However, at a certain age I wouldn't let this stop me from allowing my child to visit your church. Please don't be so offended by his actions. He may be ignorant and you will never win him over to being more tolerant by assuming "he believes only his church will go to Heaven ...etc." In a way, as a Christian, concerning this matter, I believe you are called to be tolerant of his intolerance. There is not a perfect church on earth, they all have their flaws because they are consisted of humans with many flaws. The perfect church will be in heaven and it won't be a Baptist Church or a Pentecost Church, and contrary to what you say, we will all be able to worship together in Heaven in spite of how it was on Earth, because it will be the perfect Church established by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But I have a feeling your already knew that, your just a little frustrated with your son's girlfriends dad. Try talking to the boy about it if you two have a close enough relationship but if not I would let it go because you don't want to make the boy uncomfortable. Just pray about the situation and wait and see what happens.

Answer 3

AMEN- I went to a church for a very short time that did not like to worship with any other church- and I asked the pastor that question- why can't we worship here on earth with those that we are going to be in heaven with? His answer- "yes, some of those churches will have people in heaven with us, however we do not feel that we can associate on earth with them because of the differences in the way they worship" My response to that was "how sad". If both churches agree that Jesus is the only way to heaven- who should worry about anything else. I am sorry about this- just talk to the family and remind them that Jesus is the reason we gather together for worship. God bless you,

Answer 4

I understand your dilema. Most "main-stream" Christians think that other denominations are going to burn. (I'm Catholic, so I know the feeling). I've never been to a Pentecostal service, but I have made it a point to study every denomination before deciding whether or not they are "un-Christian". Baptists are a little out there, they seem to think that anyone who isn't a Baptist is going to hell. The Baptist church is not really a "church", their beliefs differ from church to church, and they can be almost as different as Catholics and Presbyterians, even within their own denomination. I just say that you should pray for your Son's Girlfriend's Dad that he opens up his heart. God Bless.

Answer 5

I had to throw this in here, though I don't know if it helps. My dad is a pastor at a Primitive Baptist church. I go to a Church of God which is Pentecostal. My dad will say things that I do not agree with, such as that we are pre-destined to do things. If someone is meant to find Jesus, he or she will. And he is constantly trying to get me to go to his church, when he knows full well that I am a member of my church. I am not interested in going to his.

So officially, I don't know the answer to your question. I wish I did. But judging by my dad's actions, I would say that Baptists do think that their religion is the only right one. I do not totally agree with any one teaching. But I do feel that the church I attend is my "home". I also think that anyone who believes in God and Jesus is a Christian. By doing so, they are saved and have a home in Heaven. I just wish that all Christians felt that way.

Answer 6

I was raised Baptist, and frankly we always thought the Pentecostals were a little odd. We have a term for them where I used to live, the Skirt Clan, because the women wore the long skirts and frizzy long hair (mine was long but I'm Native and it was stick-straight.) They have their own little culture. The Cherokee Baptists (it's a bit different from the "white Baptists" and a lot more positive than the fire and brimstone stuff) weren't all hung up like the Pentecostals where I lived.

I personally don't even go to church anymore though.

Answer 7

Not, he does not believe that you're not going to heaven just because you're not Baptist. I grew up Baptist and know it inside and out. That is not part of the doctine, that may be a personal struggle of his, but not a Baptist view.

Here's my suggestion - have you asked him? Just say, "The other day, my son was asking me why they can't attend church together, and I wanted to make sure that we're on the same page with our answers. What are you telling your daughter when she asks? Because I'm trying to figure out how to explain it to my son." Just something to be nice, but to start a conversation.

Here's my thing. Ultimately, you gotta respect what her father wants for his daughter. And hey, if those two decide to get married some day, they'll decide which denomination on their own when they start their own family.

Answer 8

I have been to both kinds of churches and the only reason I can think of is that maybe he feels that his daughter might feel looked down upon at your church. The Pentecost church I went to had a problem with women wearing make up & pants.I am not trying to judge just trying to give some insight.

Answer 9

He may just have issues with the religion, I know a few people who are Pentecost. They are frowned upon by others as well, I guess people never learned regardless of what religion you choose we are all either going to Heaven or Hell. Maybe asking him would resolve this.

Answer 10

The problem is that you are Pentecost and your son's girlfriend is Baptist -- and her father, it appears, is a very strong Baptist. It truly doesn't matter what you believe, it is what HE believes, since he is the one who will not let her worship with you. It's raising a red flag, as if they marry, there are going to be problems. If she is willing to defy her father and attend church with your son, that will come at a price. For some reason, Baptists are frequently very stiff-necked, and not prone to compromises. Tread warily here!