Ethan Loewi
:So, I've (mid 30s F) just started a serious relationship with a Christian (early 30s M). Been dating for 3 weeks, but have known eachother for about a year.
Prior to getting romantically interested in him, I always said I would only date other agnostics or spiritual/non-religious men. Atheists and religious guys were off the table.
I went through my own spiritual awakening after a devastatingly traumatic relationship with an alcoholic/coke addict. Ended things back in March and had my "awakening" in April. I truly believe in evil entities now. Got to feel thier presence first hand, that's the only way I can describe my experience.
I do believe in a "higher power", but feel the nature of such a power is unknowable with our current technology. Perhaps it's the universe, another dimension, pure energy, the laws of nature, I don't know, but intuitively, I feel, "something" and perhaps our technology will prove it someday. So, I'm a spiritual weak agnostic basically. I was raised methodist until I was 10, then my mom rejected the church, pulled me out, and I went along with it. For a while I was an atheist, then more of a strong agnostic, now more of a weak one. I discovered UUism in college and it resonated with me more than any other belief system, so that's how I describe myself even though I don't attend a UU church (though I have been to one service, and I did really enjoy it). I would have kept going, but my mother is now very anti-organized religion and said discouraging things about it after I told her about my experience, so I never went again.
I had a hunch he was Christian before we started dating (he's a church organist), and I decided ahead of time I would be open to it. I felt a spiritual connection with him. All of the agnostics I dated in the past we're non-spiritual, and I have been longing for a spiritual connection with a romantic partner.
I believe that there are many paths to the same truth and that the majority of religions are all potential paths to that truth (so long as the religion is not an ego driven religion that forces it's belief system on others or excludes non-believers from "salvation". These practices seem innately egoic and, when taken to the extreme, outright evil in nature, so I personally reject them.)
My boyfriend was raised Lutheran and still identifies as such, however he has admitted that he is struggling with his faith after his failed marriage. He saved himself for marriage, thought he was evenly "yoked", followed the rules, was a good Christian, etc. It went horribly south, he got a divorce, and this rocked his belief system and caused him to question his convictions. He is now more "lax" about things, is okay with premarital sex (he didn't bat an eye at all about hooking up before we even agreed upon being exclusive).
However, he said he disagrees with my "all paths lead to the same thing" approach and still believes Jesus is his one true path. He said my belief system is not a dealbreaker to him, that he wants to learn more about how and what I believe and have spiritual dialogue about his beliefs as well.
He hasn't outright told me that he believes I won't be "saved", but I can't help but worry that this is how he feels deep down since that's pretty much what his denomination teaches.
I know I need to have a talk with him about kids and how he wants to raise his kids. We have talked about both wanting children, so we are on the same page there, but I don't think I could, in good conscience, allow my children to be raised solely as Christians if that's what he wants. If they want to choose it after going through their own, uninfluenced, spiritual journey, fine, but I don't want it imposed on them. I guess I'm scared to have this talk and afraid I might be pushing my belief system on him by having a boundary like this.
I guess I'm just looking for advice, stories from others in interfaith relationships, or words of encouragement on how to approach this. I want to respect his beliefs but at the same time, want to feel heard and respected.
Elaine McArdle
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