faith vs works

BillC wrote:

I've GOT to remember to delete this stupid little bunny...

to BillC and Searching....you two are truely blessed. as a married couple of different faiths you seem to disagree on certain points with respect maintained for one another. two people in love, on different paths, holding hands for the ultimate arrival in that eternal place. together. BRAVO TO YOU BOTH

wonder4u

Thanks wonder...
Some aspects of this kind of marriage can be quite difficult at times, but we try our best to make it work, and we try our best to not let the differences get too heated very often. Usually we keep a civil attitude with each other.
I think something I need reminded of occassionally is what you said in your post...that we are both heading toward the same eternal happiness in the way we each best understand how to get there.

BillC wrote:Thanks wonder...
Some aspects of this kind of marriage can be quite difficult at times, but we try our best to make it work, and we try our best to not let the differences get too heated very often. Usually we keep a civil attitude with each other.
I think something I need reminded of occassionally is what you said in your post...that we are both heading toward the same eternal happiness in the way we each best understand how to get there.

I second that. I think Bill and I both respect the other's religion out of love for each other, but, truthfully, a marriage of different religions is not something I would recommend to others. I don't have any worries about Bill and me, because neither of us is insisting on the conversion of the other and we both understand each other's obligations to our respective churches. But, an important element is missing when a family doesn't participate together in public worship (especially when we're used to praying, reading, etc. together in the home). There are the occasional times we visit each other's churches, but I don't think either of us feel entirely comfortable when we do that. If we were ever to have children, this would become an even bigger obstacle for us to overcome, I fear. Is it impossible to think that we might ever be able to worship together? No. The more I learn about the Catholic Church, the more I realize I need to learn. I even tried RCIA a couple of years ago, but it was basically a horrible experience with poorly catechized instructors. But, what I'm saying is - if I were to counsel a couple with different religions thinking of getting married - I'd advise against it until all of these issues are worked out beforehand. Not all people can be as wonderful spouses as Bill and I are.

searching wrote:I even tried RCIA a couple of years ago, but it was basically a horrible experience with poorly catechized instructors.

I totally hear you... Studying as much as I did before I entered the Church, I could have taught most of what I was there to learn... and, unfortunately, I even encountered things that were heretical from Catholic AND Protestant viewpoints... taking one matter all the way to the Bishop because it was so "off".

Some of the RCIA programs are downright horrible and could use some accountability for what is taught!

Bummer you had such a bad experience. However, you're likely to learn more correctly about Catholicism if you stick with apologetic books, Early Church Fathers and apostolates like Catholic Answers...

After I made it through RCIA, I discovered that, as a baptized Christian, I didn't even need to go through RCIA. I could have met with the priest a few times, proven my understanding of Church teaching, and asked to be received into the Church without RCIA. However, I DID make some good friends in the process... so, in that regard, it was worth attending.