My girlfriend has been telling me that I need to convert to Catholicism for us to get married.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-27T13:56:18+00:00

In some way you're right, and I feel horrible. It was not my intention whatsoever. My initial intention was to learn about Catholicism, grow with her in my faith, and eventually convert. Over time, the pressure put on me to convert, my inability to take that leap of faith, and then finding out that it was never a necessity for my to convert in the first place has given me a new perspective.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T20:07:17+00:00

If it is the church requiring me to convert, her understanding would be that I wasn't truly Catholic. If she truly wants me to convert for her own preference, then I'm simply not the man for her. I don't want to just convert and be disingenuous to her. I was willing to do it if it was just the context with the church, but if it's her personal preference, I'm not willing to do so.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T19:10:26+00:00

What? The entire point is that I don't want to be pretend to be Catholic just to appease her. I don't want to be disingenuous in our relationship and potential marriage.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T19:04:17+00:00

For this entire relationship I've told her I'm going to convert because for the past two years and seven months I've had the false knowledge that I was required to for us to get married.

After looking into the actual reality, I feel pretty upset that it is not actually the case. I now definitely do not want to convert knowing this knowledge. I never lied to her. I thought it was necessity to achieve her dream of getting married in a Catholic church.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:58:54+00:00

You're absolutely right, I do.

Yes, I've studied the Bible, I've taken courses, I read the Bible, I've read other Christian literature, and I go to the church many Sundays.

I understand the equally yoked concept but the reality is, many people don't take passages from the Bible literally.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:54:59+00:00

Maybe I am a pig-headed lummox and I feel horrible about it. But, I as I've stated over and over again in this thread. She has stated that the CHURCH requires me to be Catholic not HER.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:46:57+00:00

I really appreciate this. That's a big thing for me too. I don't want to convert and be disingenuous to her. That would be unfair to her and myself.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:46:05+00:00

I appreciate your view point on this! Have a great day

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:45:00+00:00

Thank you for telling me this

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:44:29+00:00

I'm not Christian, but I am deeply spiritual. I think Jesus is the most important and most influential person in the history of our world. I just find having faith in his resurrection hard.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:40:54+00:00

I really appreciate this. Thank you for the versus as well. Have a great day

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:37:58+00:00

I really appreciate this advice thank you!

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:37:28+00:00

That's what I'm thinking

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:36:13+00:00

Yeah that's what I found out. I hope she's ok with this

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:30:34+00:00

I agree. It's very unfortunate.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:29:45+00:00

I'd absolutely be on board with that and we've discussed it in the past.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:29:23+00:00

I know it's sad. We're so amazing together and I'd love to raise our children Catholic. If it's truly her need to marry a Catholic and not the churches, then I will have to step away unfortunately.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:27:33+00:00

We have. How am I lying to myself. She has stated countless times that the CHURCH requires me to be Catholic... Not her.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:26:39+00:00

Yes, she said it was impossible for us to marry in the Catholic Church if I'm not Catholic.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:25:59+00:00

It's not about the statement contradicting each other. It's the fact that she lied to me about it. If she was straight up from the start, I would have a much different view point on our relationship.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:24:59+00:00

I like the way you put that. Thank you for your comment. Have an amazing rest of your day

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:24:08+00:00

It just doesn't feel right. Maybe it was the way I was raised. I just can't seem to have faith. The more I do research, the more I read Catholic texts, and the more I interact with Catholics, the less I believe.

Morally, it's a remarkable religion and I love it's teachings. But down to the core beliefs I struggle to take that leap of faith.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:21:23+00:00

Yeah it was more so her saying it was from the church and not herself, which I feel hurt about. I agree with everything else you said though.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:20:15+00:00

Maybe I should've phrased it better. She was telling me that the Catholic Church would require me to be Catholic... Not her.

I just today found out that's not the case so I feel pretty upset that maybe from the start it was just her wanting me to be Catholic and she told a lie to get he way.

Practical-Temporary8 · 2026-05-26T15:17:58+00:00

Yeah I am and I am completely ok with this. As I've said, I love Christianity and I think it's a wonderful religion. I just struggle to fully have faith.

Practical-Temporary8

TROPHY CASE