He wanted to appear younger than he was so he didn’t put a 2 in front of the 6
On Wednesday I was at a birthday for a friend. It was a really fun time. In addition to praying the rosary at this birthday party, we sang happy birthday in multiple different languages. There was only about a dozen of us but we sang Happy Birthday in English, French, Spanish, Polish, Hungarian, and Arabic. Personally, I thought Hungarian sounded the best. I was actually surprised that I understood most of the Polish version.
While we were eating, it was only natural that discussion arose. I don’t remember how the conversation got to this topic but somehow it did. The big question was: “Would you marry a Catholic who was an ex-Muslim?” I also made it clear that this wasn’t a Muslim who’d convert to Catholicism so you could marry them. This is an ex-Muslim that’s been Catholic since you’ve met them. The girl that I was talking to said no. She said that family was important to her and that this Catholic ex-Muslim probably wouldn’t have a relationship with his family anymore and there couldn’t be that familial bond. I modified the question to say that his whole family had converted so he’d be on good terms with his family because they’re all Catholic. She still said no.
Thinking she would be the only one, I opened the conversation to others. One guy gave a firm no. When I asked why, he said because of “Taqiyya”. I then asked him if there were no true converts from Islam to Catholicism. He didn’t really have an answer.
We asked more people, and I kept getting the same answer. None of these people would marry someone who had left Muhammad’s religion for the true one.
I respect these people and value their opinions. I’m simply confused. This is an ex-Muslim we’re talking about. I’ve met Catholics who have left Islam and they’re great Catholics. Are they second class converts because of their former religion? They couldn’t help the fact that they were born into a Muslim family. The one thing that they could do to remedy the situation is convert, which they’ve done. They’ve had the courage to do something that so many people in that situation wouldn’t do.
I don’t doubt the faith of these people that I talked to. After all, I go to Church with them and they’re very sincere people. I’m not mad at them, but I am confused. This has got me thinking, are converts second class Catholics? Are only converts from Islam second class Catholics? What about former Protestants? Former atheists? Former Jews?
I wound up asking another Catholic about this. I don’t go to Church with this girl but her answer was no as well. Again, I’m confused.
To all of my Catholic readers, I’d like to hear your answer to the following question: “Would you marry a Catholic who’s an ex-Muslim?” Remember, this isn’t someone who will convert to marry you. This is someone that had converted before you met them.
My answer to your question is, if I were unmarried the answer would be “Yes”.
I am not surprised that you are mystified by some of the responses. Are you sure you are spending your time with the right people? None of the Catholics I know or who are in my family would even bring up these sort of questions (or answers) nor even pray the rosary at a birthday party – we’d all be too busy boozing anyway! That’s proper Catholicism as practised in Britain anyway, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for your answer. Hahaha, there was no booze at this party. The two priests from my Church were there. We had cake and pizza only. I had neither since I’m on keto diet.
God Bless,
Allan
So here are the opinions from the females of our family (well not the 3 year old):
female #1: It makes sense to me to avoid a marriage with such a deep rift with the inlaws. The family is important. If the immediate family had converted then that would change it though.
female #2: If he is really good looking, tall with blue eyes, then it would be fine.
female #3: Even if there are difficulties with the family it would be fine. Difficulties arise even with other differences.
female #4: I would discern in prayer and really this a personal preference. We all have different levels of tolerance for various imperfections. I would hate to be married to a man who watched sports religiously.
Thank you Maria!
God Bless,
Allan
1. A Christian is not allowed to look down on a convert simply because of latter’s former religion (or a lack thereof). This means denial of the regeneration of one’s heart under Christ’s grace, which is not something a true Christian approves.
2. “Former Jew” is a very tricky term. One does not simply loose their Jewishness, especially if they’re Jewish by birth. Conversion to Christianity does not obviate their Jewishness. Samaritans are an interesting case, as their continuous adherence to beliefs and practices that deviate from “standard” Judaism seems to had “extinguished” their Jewish identity (Christ Himself differentiates between Jews and Samaritans in His conversation with the Samaritan woman).
Hi Orangehunter,
Yeah, to this day the Jews can’t figure out what a Jew it. The Orthodox, Reform, and the State of Israel all have definitions of what a Jew is.
God Bless,
Allan
Gee, what about Galatians 3:28? I suppose it doesn’t saying anything about Muslims or Mahometans. Or ex-Muslims or ex-Mahometans.
Hi Latias,
You are most correct. The meaning of this verse seems to be lost on a lot of Christians.
God Bless,
Allan