Dear Papa Joe,
I am Gail. I just want to share a little something. I am Catholic and I have no ill feelings towards other religions.
My cousin invited me because her boyfriend is from a different religion. My child and I started attending worship services there, and we have already joined twice (let us not mention the name of the church).
Every time we attend worship on Saturdays, my husband gets angry because he says we are worshipping in a different religion. Sometimes this becomes a cause for arguments between us.
I even plan to formally join that religion with my child because I do not want him to end up like his father, who has many vices. My husband has almost every vice.
I want our child to be free from vices. Perhaps my husband is afraid that our child will become a member of another religion.
I have invited him to join us in worship, but he does not want to. I do not force him if he does not want to come. My family also has vices, like drinking alcoholic beverages. They are just like my husband.
I do not want that kind of life for our child. I want him to grow up with good manners and no vices.
Right now, we are just attending worship and have not officially joined another religion. In my opinion, maybe my husband is angry because it is hard for him to give up his vices.
Thank you, GAIL
Papa Joe's Response
Gail, this is just my opinion: the answer to everything is not found in religion, but in the person. It is true that religion can guide us. But you cannot just do things on your own and call it "worship-worship" because your faith lacks foundation. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit on whether that religion can guide your family, especially your husband, to change, instead of separating your child from him because you are still a family.
Let us not base it on religion but on your belief that change can happen in your husband. God already knows what is in our hearts and minds even before we say it. Also, look at your part in your husband's stubbornness. It is like enrolling in an expensive school, but if the student does not study, the school's reputation will not help your failing grades.
Papa Joe
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