Custody, step kids, and religion?

Question

currently, my man is going through a custody battle to get more time with his kids... his ex mother in law is a minister, and the kids go to a catholic elementary school, bible camp, and church each sunday they are with their mother... now, dont get me wrong, i have absolutely no issues whatsoever with any of this.. i just dont happen to be a practicing catholic and dont believe i need to be in order to have a close personal relationship with god.. in fact, i teeter between protestantism and catholicism... i call myself a cafeteria catholic, picking and choosing what to believe... anyway, a few sundays ago, my mans 7 year old asked me if i went to church that morning... i said, no, she asked why? thankfully, she got distracted and i avoided the question... but, i dont know what i would say to a child who i am trying to set an example for, but i am not her parent and do not want to steer her in any direction other than the one she is on, as it is not my place... my man doesnt go to church either, and he does not take the kids when he has them on the weekends, but i guess he has never been faced with that question.. on top of it, i wouldnt want to be in the way of anything having to do with his gaining more custody, such as their mother not wanting the kids around me due to my satanistic religious beliefs ( BIG LOL)! but you know what i mean... what can i say that will neither chastize what she's learning, nor make me out to be a bad guy if the question ever coms up again?

Answer 1

Go to church until the custody battle is resolved! heheheh that way, you won't have to lie...:P

I get what you're saying, and it's kind of a touchy part, especially since the mother is religious and brings up the kid in that. I wish I had a clear answer to give you, but it isn't always that easy.

If you say you don't go to Church because you believe you can be close to God without going, it could in return hurt you because you'd be "teaching things that are contrary to what the mother's beliefs are".

If the child would be 10 or older, it would be more simple, they would understand better, but a 7 year old doesn't always see the big picture.

Answer 2

So tell us then, why don't you go to church?  All you said was you don't need to be practicing to have a personal relationship with God.  True.  But why no church?  If you're confident in your relationship, one hour, once a week, sitting in a church surrounded by people who also have a personal relationship with God, soaking up the atmosphere, won't kill you. In fact, it's good for you.  Keeps you honest.

P.S. Please capitalize the G in God.

Answer 3

Ask your fella this question. If he doesn't go to church either than surely he knows this question is going to be asked of him by his kids. He'll probably be glad to get the heads up and you can ask him what he would  like you to do/say