My boyfriend is Mormon and I'm Catholic but ?

Question

I don't really have any strong feelings for religions in general. I was raised Catholic and would probably renounce my faith later in life if I had not met him. But his parents don't want us to be together because I'm not Mormon and I don't know what to do because we really love each other but I don't know whether to convert or not and I'm not sure what to do. Any help?

Answer 1

If you would like more answers, consider asking around this site as well...

http://christianforums.com/forumdisplay....

Answer 2

<<My boyfriend is Mormon and I'm Catholic but ? I don't really have any strong feelings for religions in general. I was raised Catholic and would probably renounce my faith later in life if I had not met him.>>

Do not renounce your Catholic Faith, nor convert to Mormonism simply for a man. Spiritually, you are far better off as a Catholic, even if you do not appreciate it now, the day will come when you will (regret having left the Catholic Church.

<<But his parents don't want us to be together because I'm not Mormon and I don't know what to do because we really love each other>>

If your inlaws cannot accept you for the Catholic you are, even if your boyfriend does, years of this second-class treatment will wear on both you and your husband.

Everyone has their breaking point:

It could be you deciding to break up with yuor husband

Your husband wanting to break up with you

The parents disowning their son

The son disowning the parents

. . . the point is, nothing can come from this - and don't under-estimate a person's loyalty to their Church do no matter what religion they're from.

<<but I don't know whether to convert or not and I'm not sure what to do. Any help?>>

No earthly pursuit is worth abandoning the Church. So, again, don't leave the Catholic Church. Perhaps it's best you and your fiance seek the council of a Catholic priest.

You and your fiance should probabc

Answer 3

I'm Mormon and even I am going to tell you not to convert JUST for the sake of dating him, pleasing him or his parents or even just because it would be easier for your relationship. When I was young, I had a boyfriend that converted because he just wanted to be with me. At the time I thought it was sweet and didn't understand the long-term aspects. Eventually we broke up and he stopped coming to church because there was no reason to in his mind. If you were to EVER commit to joining the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) it is a commitment NOT to be taken lightly. If you are a minor, just be patient. If you're curious about Mormonism, ask your boyfriend questions. Just let him know that you're just curious and not to be pushy. He'll understand. As for his parents...well, there's not much you can do about protective parents. Again, if you're a minor, you should respect the wishes of his parents, within reason.

Also, you may have already noticed, but there are a lot of hostile accusations towards Mormons in general. They are unfounded but they spread like weeds and they're everywhere.  

Answer 4

Check out this article... it's really good:

"What You Need to Know About the Mormons"

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/99...

Search YouTube for "Story of Mormonism" for a small video that describes what LDS teaches.

While most Mormon people are very good people, Mormon teachings are not compatible with Christianity.

Answer 5

dating is fine until you start getting serious. The differences in religion is a major hurdle to everyone. Its just a fact of life. Just like if one of you had an addiction. You 2 would be great together, if only one of you could end the addiction.

Answer 6

K...

I'm Mormon. It is counseled that we date members and not date non members with the intention of converting them.

My grandpa (died in '97) was Catholic, and my grandma is Mormon.

I would think about how important this church is in your boyfriends life. Ask him why it's important to him. Have a talk with his parents too.

There will be a lot of people on here that will tell you to stick to being Catholic and just disregard your boyfriend's beliefs.

I would do some research on his church, and talk to him about yours.

Religion is very important when it comes to raising a family.  

Just try to understand his religion better. Why does he believe so strongly in it? What exactly does he believe and why?

If you have a better understanding, his parents might feel better about you two being together.

-- Disregard the link that Lisa S gave to you. "What the Mormon Missionaries won't tell you" is false. That information is incorrect. Whoever wrote that article has their facts wrong, like anti-Mormon lit does.

Answer 7

Don't convert. It will only make you resent him later.

What are you going to do about the children?  

Answer 8

Seriously, just sit down with you boyfriend, talk it over and then ask him if you can pray together to know what to do.  

I went through a similar thing with my girlfriend (now wife) when I was younger.  She was LDS and I was episcopal but never really liked the church.  We prayed and it was overwhelming how the truth can come to you.

Answer 9

Don't convert.

Answer 10

Study the faith and find out for yourself if it is the Restored Church that it claims to be.  NEVER convert for another person.  Being baptized into the church it is YOU that will be making a covenant with God. Not your boyfriend, he has already made his own covenant with God, but you.  Joining the Church should be between and God.  Go to www.lds.org and www.mormons.org, then go to his parents and him and ask questions.  They will be more impressed with you for it.

Answer 11

Get pregnant and then tolerate your boyfriend's polyfidelity.  His Mormon parents will love you after that...  Dum dum dum, dum dum.

Seriously though, you'll certainly regret converting if you lack the belief required to do so.  I had to pretend I had faith for my family when I was young...  give lip service out of respect.  It was so freeing to outwardly be an Atheist, once I felt they could take it seriously.

It seems to me that if your boyfriend is the one that pursued you, then I'd wager his convictions aren't as strong as you think...  and certainly not as strong as his parents'.

Wouldn't it just be lovely if you both could just renounce your faiths and live religion free together somewhere other than where you live now (except Utah...lol).  You will have to eventually have to decide what's more important...  the faith you were born into, or your love for each other.  It seems your situation would make these 2 things mutually exclusive.

Good luck.

Answer 12

You need to embrace your faith--don't "think about" converting, especially for a boyfriend.  You need to delve into your faith, and actually learn about it, before you think about leaving!! it.

Take some time to study about Catholicism--going to Mass, in Adoration, and in personal prayer.  Join a Youth Group.  Talk to your parents.  See a priest. Any of these will help you to realize how lucky!! you are to be Catholic!

God Bless you.

Email me if you want more help/info: [e-mail]

Answer 13

Converting to any religion for someone is wrong.  Simple.

Having different beliefs in a relationship/marriage is hard.

Listen to your heart.  Ask him questions and ask him to ask you questions about your beliefs.  By only exploring what you do believe can you find your common ground.  And there is some between Catholics and Mormons, you just have to look for them.

Learn and study so that you can decide for yourself what you believe - LDS boyfriend or not.  If you find that you want to convert, do it for yourself, no one else.

As for what people say from the churches of You Tube and South Park about Mormons - guess what - they are wrong.  

But follow your heart, not what you think your boyfriend wants, and especially not his parents.  This is your life.

Answer 14

Stick with your Catholic roots and try to talk to your parish preist for some advice.

Answer 15

So you're looking at joining the Mormon faith, but you're not sure because your own beliefs are relatively vague to begin with?

As a born and raised LDS (Mormon), I understand your boyfriend's parents' concerns. It's nothing necessarily against you. I'll try to give you some unbiased advice.

I'd suggest talking to...

Your parents. If you're under 18, and you choose to join the LDS church, you will need their permission before being baptized. They may also have some insight as to why they chose Catholicism.

Your priest. Even in the LDS faith, we believe that people have a right to guidance from God regarding their responsibilities. Whether he realizes it or not, your priest has a responsibility to you regarding your spiritual situation. He may have some guidance to offer you.

Your boyfriend. He knows you better than I do. He may have some thoughts or suggestions for you, and can explain why he has chosen the LDS faith.

Your boyfriend may also suggest you do some of the following-

Read the Book of Mormon. We often call the Book of Mormon the keystone of our religion. Understanding the Book of Mormon- what it says, how it came to be is vital to understanding why we believe as we do.

Speak with the missionaries. I'm not sure if you'll be speaking with Elders (young men- 19+ yrs old) or Sisters (young women- 21+ years old), but either way, they've given up much to come and teach people what we believe. Whatever they say, please be respectful of their sacrifice.

Whatever you end up choosing to do, be honest, sincere, and respectful in your efforts to understand what your boyfriend believes. He'll appreciate your integrity, either way.

About Keystones--

When the Romans began building arches, they developed a technique that does not use mortar between the stones.

They would begin by creating a kind of form to fill in the center and then stack the stones up the sides of the form. Once the last stone, the one in the middle at the very top, is laid, the form becomes obsolete. It can be removed and the arch will remain standing.

Joseph Smith was the form, the Book of Mormon is the keystone.

Answer 16

Why does everybody convert to Mormon based on feelings of the heart? The heart is wicked. READ Jeremiah 17:9.

Answer 17

sounds like you're in junior high.  give it a few weeks or months at the most and you'll both move on to something else anyway.  

Answer 18

Hi. I just wanted to say, that when I met my husband, he was LDS and I was no religion at all. I wanted nothing to do with the church. His mother did not like me at all. Before I became a member, we had a baby and then got married 5 months later. (for insurance reasons) That made her not like me even more. Anyways, I joined for me, not for my husband. That is the important thing. I have a friend who joined for her husband, and now is having issues. I just wanted to tell you my experience.  

Answer 19

Don't convert just because someone's parents want you too. And if you're adults, it doesn't really matter what his parents think, he can date you all he wants, and they'll just have to deal with it.

Answer 20

How can you just decide to "convert"?  Conversion means a change of heart and mind.  It means accepting and believing the teachings of a particular religion.  Which in the case of Mormonism means rejecting everything that makes sense.

Answer 21

Do not convert to Mormonism unless you believe it and you want to commit your life to being a Mormon. Getting married is not reason enough to convert to a faith. I am LDS and I can tell you that joining the Church requires a lot of commitment. There is no paid clergy, so members do much of what is required. We clean the temple and the church buildings. Sermons are given by the members--we don't have a preacher. If you marry your husband may be called as a bishop--which would be a full time job with no pay for him. As a bishop's wife you need to provide moral support and you would be busy dealing with members of your congregation. Can you do that if you don't believe? I assume his family would want you to marry in the temple. This requires you to make very serious committements. You would also be under the obligation not to reveal certain things. Could you do this if you don't believe?  

Answer 22

Dont convert. Mormonism is really bad if you really take a look at it. They believe you can baptize people post mortem. All kinds of things. The Bible says to be equally yoked. If you do not have similar beliefs it may not seem a big deal now but later it will be. I am a christian and was married to a muslim for a while. Big mistake. It is especially noticed later when you have children.  

Answer 23

SUE gave a great answer.

Answer 24

If you feel strongly that Mormonism is the right religion for you, then convert.

don't convert to be with this boy.  It's the wrong reason.  If they won't accept you, you're out of luck, because they are probably a very strong influence in his life.  Just give it up.  Find someone who you can love as much, with less turmoil.

Answer 25

Well obviously your religion should come before love.  It is your love for God that must come before all else.  You cannot compromise that for any one man.  You might convert for him and then a few years down the line he could leave you.  Is it worth all of that for one person?  I don't think so.  You should try to go back to the true Roman Catholic faith and renew your love for God first.  If this guy really loves you then he won't have any objections to that.  If he has objections then you will learn more about him and make up your own mind.  I would stay away from the Mormon religion if I were you.   Go back to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic and don't give it up for anyone!    Pax in nomine Domini

Answer 26

I was raised Catholic too and really don't go to church too much anymore because I think Canon Law and Church Teachings are really whacked. There are way too many inconsistencies and man-made laws in Catholicism for my taste. There are even more man-made laws and inconsistent beliefs in the LDS church.

Because of a previous job, I had to know a lot about the Mormon faith. I knew a lot of Mormon families. I admire their work ethic and their close families, but felt very sorry for the women. Nearly all of them had to put on a "1950s June Cleaver" image. (If you don't know what that is watch some Nick at Night where the mom's always are cleaning the house in pearls and high heels.) They seemed happy on the outside, but most of them were baby machines. One family I knew very well had 11 kids and the oldest is now 19. If you want to be pregnant until you reach menopause, then maybe this is the religion for you.

I also have a problem with the fact that Mormons are opposed to caffine, alcohol, and tobacco (3 of my favorite vices) yet I can walk into the hotel bar at just about any Marriott (Bill Marriott is a Mormon) and get a beer or martini. I can get a cup of coffee at a Marriott restaurant. Hmmm? If they want to convert everyone to the LDS faith shouldn't they begin by not enabling "addictions" they feel are sinful?  Nope...because that would be bad business. And essentially that's really what that religion, and I think most large, organized religions are about...money. 10% of the profit made from those beer and coffee sales are going to go to the church and pad the pocketbooks of the First President and his cronies in Salt Lake. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were con men. The religion started in the early 19th century at the same time a lot of flim-flam travelling preachers were roaming around the country. There was a depression at the time and people were desperate. They gave their money to whatever roadside preacher made them feel good. Smith and Young were some of the best. Smith also attracted a lot of men to the religion because he preached polygamy. While it's been officially banned by the LDS church, one has to wonder how? Here's where the man-made laws come into play again.

Smith said he read these golden discs that were given to him by an angel. If they truely were the word of God, and God said polygamy is OK, then where do the Mormon leaders who came later on have any right to say Smith was wrong? Was the 1st Mormon prophet WRONG? If Smith was wrong about polygamy, who's to say he wasn't wrong about EVERYTHING?

And MILLIONS of people just accept this stuff. I think it's crazy.

Smith either lost the discs or they were taken back by the angel, I can't remember the details now, but heck, at least the Hebrews managed to hold on to the Ten Commandments for a thousand years or so before the Ark of the Covenant was lost.

So...here's your life if you convert:

10% of what you make goes to Salt Lake and your local Branch or Stake; No caffine; No alcohol; No tobacco; You become a baby machine; You wear some sort of special underwear; and you have to put up with lots of rituals and religious ceremony. You'll also have to love basketball. It appears to be the official sport of the LDS Church.

If his family is really religious it will be hard for you to fit in. "Just Accepting" his faith won't cut it. LDS women are the home makers and are responsible for reading the Bible and Book of Mormon to the kids. If you don't believe it yourself, you'll never raise the kids to the standards expected by the church...and his family.

This is a serious decision. I don't think I could have ever married a Muslim, Jew, Mormon, or Born-Again Christian because of my faith (or lack thereof) so I was quite happy to find a cafeteria-Catholic like myself to settle down with.

Good Luck.  

Answer 27

does it seriously matter that you have differnt religious beliefs? thats so stuid come on

what comes first

love

or

differnt beliefs??

you can still be together because you have different beliefs. f*ck his parents.

geeeeez louise.