Do you attend Church but have a spouse who does not attend? And does this effect your relationship?

Question

I have looked around my Church, and I have talked to folks at other Churches, and this is hardly a rare thing. There are many single people in Church, many widows and widowers, but there are also lots of people who attend Church but who have a spouse who does not attend. If you are one of these people, does this have any effect on your relationship?

Of course, in an ever increasingly plural society, there are couples of differing religions or denominations, and there are shift workers, or people who are just disenchanted with the church. So there are many reasons why one person might stay away while their spouse attends.

What's your experience - if any - of this?

Answer 1

I attend church regularly, but my longtime girlfriend (who will be my spouse) does not. She's not a Christian. We respect each other's beliefs. I go to her services fairly frequently, although she feels uncomfortable attending mine. She'll come once in a great while if I'm doing something major with the church music, but that's it (and she'll often walk out the second the music's done). I'm okay with her not attending. I'm used to it. There's no legislation on the books stating that a couple has to share the exact same religious beliefs.

Answer 2

I am a Christian and my husband is Orthodoxed Jewish and so far that hasn't been a problem but it could change. Because of both our jobs we're not living together full time but he's hoping to soon open up a business where I live so that we can. I promised him that I would learn and study about Judaism. Even though I would not have a problem with it but my family would and we may end up having some problems because of it.

Answer 3

If my spouse should choose not to attend church, I think it will be ok with me in the beginning, but after a while, it will affect our relationship.

Answer 4

For most of our married life I was agnostic and my husband was atheist. Then Christ pulled me back to Him a little over a year ago.

I attend church alone and this hasn’t created a problem. He is respectful of my views and I respect his right to be left alone.

Of course I pray for his heart to change, but that will only happen when he is ready.

Answer 5

well, my partner is catholic and i am not.
i was raised catholic, so i am very familiar with the religion.
we both have a daughter together, and since i grew up Catholic and didnt turn into some weirdo, i figure it would be fine for my daughter too....
my partner wants to show her this religion, and thats fine with me...
i did tell him, however, that if one day, when she is older, if she wants to explore other things, that he respect that...
we have an understanding...

i am someone of faith though, i just dont have a religion... i personally think its more important to have faith than belong to any religion..

and i think if both the people in the relationship are open minded and willing to talk and work out a compromise, it shouldnt be a problem.

Answer 6

Well, I can start with my husband's parents. His father is agnostic and his mother is a devout Christian. They have been married for decades and she follows her beliefs quietly and he has not problem with it.

For us - my husband is born again Christian and I am a Hasidic Gentile. Because of shift work it is hard for him to get to church every Sunday. When he can, I don't mind going with him. And he doesn't mind when I like to sleep in.

By accepting eachother, and be able to talk about our differences and learn from each other without inciting arguments we have grown stronger not weaker.

Answer 7

My husband is atheist.
I'm Heathen but I attend a UU church so that my kids can be exposed to all faiths, inluding my own. My husband wouldn't step foot in a church if he had a gun to his head.
It doesn't bother me in the least. I respect the way he feels.

Answer 8

My wife dosent attend church but I love to attend,

Answer 9

i do not attend any such.If ever I go there it's to please my kids or wife.(They have to be pleased!)Like going to the disco or elsewhere or celebrating a festival without any sense to you - only meeting what we call "social obligations"( to bond the family ties further !)
I like ( and encourage any)people enjoy their FREEDOMS and experience such on their own and at stories from elsewhere to build up their stock of knowledge for a positive decision in case...