My boyfriend and I have been talking about marriage. His parents want us to be married in his church. He is a Baptist. I'm not religious and I'm not a member of a church. Do I have to become a Baptist in order to be married in his church?
2007-06-14 04:04:04 · 15 answers · asked by hammysammy027 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
It does depend on the church. However, if you're really not into church what so ever and not at all religious or spiritual in any way, "converting," to please your to-be-husband will not help. People CAN make it work from two different religions or church backgrounds, but it's tough. Sharing the same spiritual beliefs and prinicipals are quite important in a relationship. Even if you have different beliefs, you have to make sure from day one that you respect one another's beliefs and do not try and change your partner's beliefs. If you feel comfortable converting, then all by means, go ahead. But if you don't, that's okay too. Don't become something you're truly not just to please someone, you'll regret it later. Now, my real advice is this: study up on his church, attend with him a few weeks in a row, get a feel for the church and the religion itself. If you feel comfortable there and not like a fish out of water, then perhaps converting won't be that difficult. Lots of people do it. But if you do feel very out of place time after time, then I'd reconsider marrying this person. Neither one of you can change each other and shouldn't have to. You can live together peacefully with different religions, but neither of you should be asking the other to change or convert to other ones. If you want to get married in his church, you may have to convert, that's up to you. People are usually willing to compromise on where they get married, but it's rare that people are willing to compromise on religion, take that into consideration and do what you feel is best for you! This is a tough situation, so goodluck!
2007-06-14 04:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by sarahlizjudd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off you have to be a member of a church or a different denomination to actually convert to baptist. But that's splitting hairs. I would say no you do not have to be a baptist to be married in a baptist church. Each church is different but i would expec the pastor to have a sit down chat with you and your boyfriend to spell out God's will on marriage.
2007-06-14 11:11:35 · answer #2 · answered by Illinois Chad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, since your are considered a non-denomination. However, most Baptist churches require you to go threw a series of marriage classes at the church. Talk with his pastor and see what they require before getting married in their church.
2007-06-14 11:07:43 · answer #3 · answered by be happier own a pitbull 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so, but it depends on the minister marrying you.
However, if you have differences of opinion in the religious domain, you need to talk about those things in full detail about how you will or won't live, if you will go to church with him, etc, before you get married. I've seen too many people divorce because one pressured the other to get involved, and they didn't want to. Especially after children are born, it seems to be an even bigger issue.
2007-06-14 11:08:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
u don't have to become a baptist to be married in the church but for u to have a happy marriage i suggest that you become a Christian(i am not trying to preach to u or any thing)
2007-06-14 11:50:00 · answer #5 · answered by lolita 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't-depending on that church's by-laws but you and your fiancee need to talk about the role faith is going to take in your marriage. Not having these discussions early is how divorces are made. Eventually he may want to raise his kids in the faith he was brought up in. You need to talk about all of this now!
2007-06-14 11:10:14 · answer #6 · answered by Hector D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dump him and get out while you can. You do not want to be a baptist.
2007-06-14 11:16:53 · answer #7 · answered by acmeraven 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so but different religions have different believes. Check with the church they will give you the best answer.
Best wishes.
2007-06-14 11:08:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on their rules. Some churches require it, others don't.
2007-06-14 11:06:42 · answer #9 · answered by Ravennwings 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It varies from church to church.
2007-06-14 11:06:25 · answer #10 · answered by xartinu33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋