Advice anyone?
Hi y'all!! I posted a long while ago about joining this community to learn more, so this is one of my questions I suppose!
I am personally not aligned with any religion, I believe in history and I believe in people. My boyfriend was raised Catholic and is Catholic. He isn't hardcore but he loves the traditional aspects and all of the music. We have had many discussions about the fact that I am not Catholic and what that would look like for us in the future. Obviously being Catholic, part of the tradition is to spread Catholicism, so I think he would like for me to convert eventually.
While I think Catholicism is beautiful, I was not raised in a way to facilitate putting a man, religion, or God at the centre of my life. I was raised to see every person as equal, to not assume religion, to explore, to learn, and to believe in other people. So, I find it kind of hard to think of myself as a woman of God in any sense of the term.
I recently expressed to him that I do feel connected with Mary though. I think she is wonderful, and I think if I did become Catholic she would be the woman I would hold highest, which I think is kind of the norm. Because I hold beauty dear to me, and I hold the mother dear to me, I am not against exploring this religion or converting later in life. But for now, I just want to live. Overall, I never want to be apart of something just because someone else is, or someone else wants me to.
Does anyone have advice on how to navigate this? I don't want to come off as critical, but I am also not really a believer to the degree of an average person.
Thank you, sorry this was rambly ^,^//
@Lonely4Flower
I think sometimes we may resist becoming part of something because it doesn't feel like it was entirely our decision to do so. In other words, if you'd happened to encounter the faith entirely on your own, might you actually want to join it?
Catholicism is far, far different now than it was when I was a kid. For years I'd call myself a "recovering Catholic." Yet the Church has changed so much, and is still in the process of radical change, I don't feel negativity towards it any more. Even when I was a kid, I recognized there were many wonderful Catholics, but the institution itself was a moral shambles.
Fast forward 30+ years, and my wife and I co-founded a Unity Church. 25 years later, we left that Church. Now we pray and meditate daily, and on Sunday, we discuss spiritual concepts and their practical applications.
Many have tried to get me to agree with their particular flavor of Church and dogma. My answer has been to remind them that faith in the Creator's ability to reach every heart means they don't have to worry about what I believe.
I believe, and perhaps you do as well, that ultimately, the most pure form of Christianity exists between our hearts and God. In other words, a personal relationship. If that reality exists within, it really doesn't matter if you're a Baptist, Catholic, something else, or go to the laundromat to commune with God.
Your BF needs to support your freedom to choose your spiritual path. He needs to have faith in the Primary Source of Love to reach you, and also faith in your faith that you're both seeking and finding that all important personal relationship with God.
Your relationship with religion sounds lovely Spiritriver! I will keep this all in mind <3
I think your first part is definitely correct, I think if I find Him, it will be on my own ☺️
I might encourage bf and I having our own form of conversation about religion in that way, I think it would be interesting for me to see exactly where he lies on that spectrum and for him to see where I lie on finding Him.
Thank you so much for your response! Best wishes to you and ur wife ❤️
@Lonely4Flower
It's important you decided what you believe. If you have questions an Alpha group can be a great place to ask questions and explore answers. No idea where you are but Google them and see if there is something local. Many different denominations run the program and it is a way of exploring some of the main concepts of faith including Jesus prayer Bible etc.
What do you mean by Alpha group? I looked it up according to my area, but didnt find anything aha. That sounds nice though, I dont really have independence to go do something like that, I’ll havr a conversation with my guardians about it ☺️🙏