Is religion a hindrance?
@sweetbarbie22 (304)
Philippines
July 7, 2008 11:24pm CST
A friend of mine called up and wants to talked to me seeking for advice. From the sound of his voice, I could really feel that he is down and trouble. True indeed when he came over to our house, he shared to me his problem about his gf of four years. He was very depressed with his current situation now. From the very start I know both parents parties were againts their relationship. Just because Bryan came from a family whom a certified Catholic devotee, on the other hand his gf a Mormons. I am one of the witnessed how their realtionship had been through many trials and protests but they really stand for their love and managed to survived. See what a real love can do? But a bigger problem came when Bryan proposed marriage to his gf whom she accepted. As they go along with the marriage plan,the girl asked him to convert into her religion since she wanted to get marry in her church. But my friend Bryan raised a Catholic and even have a priests relatives was very against the idea. Since he was the guy he wanted that his gf would be the one to do that, but only to receive a response from her that if he really loves her he would succumb to her request. Disappointed,he didn't know what to do. No doubt he really loves his gf so much but he couldn't give up his faith also. He didn't know what to do now? At the same time he is afraid that their relationship would be threatened to end up just because of this clash of religion. But nobody wants to give up! Is realigion really a hindrance?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
8 Jul 08
Two possible solutions that I see to this is either to have the wedding in neither of their churches or to somehow have it in two parts, one in each church. Not that either solution will probably impress the various families.
Unfortunately, I forsee religion being a major problem for them if they ever decide to have children. They will probably both want to raise the child with their own faith. Religion is such an awkward touchy subject.
@efc872 (1077)
• Jamaica
9 Jul 08
If thet really love each other, I would suggest they find a church of a different faith and get spliced. Or continue living as sweethearts and let all hold their peace.
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
8 Jul 08
Religion is really a way of life and no one should ask someone else to give up their religion.
The problem here is not the religion but the fact that someone is being asked to give up theirs.
I believe that is wrong.
People do have a choice and this choice is also a human right.
It is wrong in this case to ask anyone to give up their religion.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Religion has good intentions, but I think it causes more problems than good. Religion is often the basis of many wars and people are often outcasted because their beliefs differ from the popular religion of a group or area. And like in the case of your friend, it can even get in the way of happiness and love, the things taught to be most important in all religions. I think that it's very selfish of the girlfriend to ask that of him, but I'm sure her family, friends and religious leaders are putting a lot of pressure on her to follow her religion's marriage tradition, and that truly is a shame. I believe that noone should ever feel pressured into doing something, and their religious differences are certainly putting a great deal of pressure on both of them, just as any religion always seems to do to its members. I definitely and absolutly believe religion is a hinderance. And I would advise to your friend to not convert. I believe that it would be a big mistake, no matter how much he loves the girl. If she truly cares for him, she will accept his decision. I'd also like to wish the best of luck to both of them. I hope they find a way to resolve this problem.
@munkysam07 (31)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I think that religion is more of a hindrance than anything else. It messes up relationships, and it turns followers into nothing but mindless drones. They should be able to be together if they love each other, even if they are not of the same religion
@shlooper (309)
• United States
8 Jul 08
This is very difficult, as was already stated, mormons can only marry in the temple if both of them are mormons, so there is definite pressure for him to convert. I think that there are some important factors that they need to straighten out. First, is the pressure for him to convert from her or from her parents through her. If she really loves him, she has loved him as a Catholic all these years and religion wont change that. Mormons receive a lot of pressure through the church to convert those who they marry, and marriage is an integral part of their religion. Second, it wont work for one person to just "convert" the other person will also have to move toward a middle ground. People don't just change what they have believed their entire life on a whim.
With these two religions, which have many opposing beliefs, religion certainly is a hindrance, and both of them will have to work to come to any sort of middle ground.
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
8 Jul 08
I see this is an issue more of ones beliefs and ideals more than that of religion. I'm speaking out of experience being in precisely a similar situation a few years ago. Today it seems to be an issue of conversion and tomorrow it will be something else. Even if they decide not to convert, because of the beliefs there will be an issue of how to bring up the kids. So if they truly love each other they will find a common ground and sort this out.
@ajmccrary1986 (454)
• United States
8 Jul 08
It can be. Sad to say, but yes a person's "religion" can hinder marriage.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Religion can be very cruel. With the Mormons, she can't be married in their sacred temple if her husband isn't of her faith. They also won't be together in heaven, she believes.
I think he has an unsolvable problem unless he converts. And he can't just say the words, he has to practice the religion or he'll be barred from certain ceremonies and the temple, as well.
I'm sorry for your friend. Religion is supposed to be about love but many of them are very unforgiving and judgmental. 
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
8 Jul 08
This is a very difficult problem because there is no middle ground with these two religions and I'm sure both your friend and his girlfriend feel very emotionally and spiritually tied to their respective churches. As a Catholic myself I know that leaving the church is very difficult to do. I've gone to other churches but my heart is in the church of my birth and in the traditions and rituals I've grown up with. I feel very bad for them but there is no easy answer to this one aside from both of them leaving their church, which is going to enrage both sides of the family at the same time.
@lazeebee (5461)
• Malaysia
8 Jul 08
Sad, isn't it? Do we really have to give up our religion just to get married? Isn't a compromise possible? Why can't we respect each other's beliefs?
If I'm a Catholic and he's a Mormon, I'd like to persuade and convince him rather than force him. It'd be better that he experiences the religion through my Catholic friends and church, and accepts it willingly.
@cherish1000 (6)
• Trinidad And Tobago
8 Jul 08
The Word of God clearly states that we should not be unequally yoked so obviously this will create a problem. This couple needs to determine what is more important to them. God is not about religion but a relationship with Him, religion ties us up and down. They both need to seek the face of God and allow Him to direct them.
