Religious Differences between Fiancees

[Tye & Shirlei 0]

Correction. Both Catholics and Baptists are trinitarian, though one sect of Pentcostals is not (the Oneness Pentecostals). Non-triniatarian's include Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, and Unitarians.

Anyway, I've never heard of this being an issue at the consulate in Manila. I would assume that the majority of beneficiary's there are Catholic and a substantial percentage of the petitioners are not.

What do you mean "triniatarian"???

I ask because I am LDS, mormon as you say, and I have heard the LDS religion refered to as trinitarian before from non-LDS people

[Tye & Shirlei 0]

Excuse me, but the Catholic and Baptist traditions are BOTH Trinitarian, i.e., the both view the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as a part of the Godhead.

This would also include Episcopal/Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, most pentecostal/charismatic, including the majority of non-denominational churches.

The important thing is to learn of each other's beliefs, finding the points you both have in common. It can be more difficult, but it's not impossible.

Bruce

Latter Day Saints (Mormons) also believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all part of the Godhead......

[dekedwin 52]

When you say a church or an individual is trinitarian, that means that, that church or individual believes in the Father, God, Son, God, and Holy Spirit, God. It is complicated and difficult to understand, but that is accepted by faith for people who believe that. There are three, but yet one. It doesn't mean that there are three Gods, but one God expressed in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is true that most protestant denominations and Catholics are trinitarian. I believe that there are Catholic Christians as well as Protestant Christians. The basis is that there is believe in Jesus Christ the Lord as Savior, who has sacrificed Himself for us so that we can have salvation, the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. I don't think there is anything in the Catholic religion that is opposed to the doctrines found in most Protestant religions. Both believe the same things and practice the same faith in God. The basics are the same I think. You can be a good Catholic Christian, or you can be a good Protestant Christian.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Latter Day Saints (Mormons) also believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all part of the Godhead......

Mormons believe the "Godhead" to be a social unit consisting of three beings - God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, with God being the superior of the three. Trinitarians believe that all three are separate persons but part of a single God, all co-equal, as in "God the Father", "God the Son", "God the Holy Spirit".

[AmyWrites 593]

THat's not so different, as you're both Christians. It'd be interesting if one of you practiced, say, Hinduism and the other was a Christian.

[TeapotGirl 66]

THat's not so different, as you're both Christians. It'd be interesting if one of you practiced, say, Hinduism and the other was a Christian.

yeah. Baptist and catholic doesn't have that much difference compared to Buddism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Juadaism, Shintoism etc.

Edited October 16, 2011 by teapotgurl1983

[TeddyHoney 42]

I married a filipina in the Philippines some years ago and at the time I was Baptist. At that time, I was questioned by the local church there about my faith. They didn't seem too concerned. Seemed more like a formality, but I did have to be interviewed by a Catholic Priest here as did my mother and Grandmother and the local Priest here sent a document the Diocese there in the Philippines regarding those interviews. This was one of the many, many things that had to be done before we could get approval to be married in a Catholic Church there in the Phils. Again, this was some years ago and after we got married there I petitioned for her and her young son for what was called then Immediate Relative VISAs. Don't know how it is now.

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that they don't recall religion being addressed at all in this K-1 process. I agree and have not read where anyone has had any issue relating to religious differences as far as the process goes.

By the way, after my ex and I got married and she came here with her young son, I took the RCIA classes and converted to Catholicism. It was agreed between her and I early on. I did this for 2 reasons. The main reason was so our children would grow up in a same faith housold, and the other was that it wasn't much of a change for me being Baptist anyway. Besides some different rituals and procedural things, it was really a rather transparent change for me. I mean, there are differences but mostly in structure and other things really not related to the belief and faith Him.

God blees you both in your life journey together.

[Barbara J 115]

I am Catholic and Patty is Muslim. We are as happy as we could be. Before we moved on to a more serious relationship, we discussed our difference in religion

and if it would be an issue. Needless, to say, our love for each other trumped that. We both agreed to respects each others religious upbringing. She comes to

church with me.

Absolutely no issue at all nor was it even brought up when we went for the interview...so, no worries!

I just have one question for you though, if you have children correct me if I am wrong but you would want them brought up Muslim? If she wanted them Catholic you would not agree?

[Shenzhen 34]

We have filed for the K1 and my financee is in the Philippines, she is Catholic. I am US and Baptist faith.

I have heard that differences in religions can be a flag but I just read where someone is filing for a K1 and they are Muslim and he is Catholic.

I am not looking for opinions as much as someone that has passed the Visa stage with difference of religions.

It's not a problem!

[marklovetina 52]

honey ko is a protestant and i am a catholic.. no problem arise during the interview.. never ask about different religious belief too...

Edited October 16, 2011 by marklovetina

[Nicoco 26]

Am I wrong to not worry about the fact that Ice is Buddhist and I am Protestant? I wonder if that would make anything different at his interview? And how would they even know what relgions we are anyway?

[Tye & Shirlei 0]

Mormons believe the "Godhead" to be a social unit consisting of three beings - God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, with God being the superior of the three. Trinitarians believe that all three are separate persons but part of a single God, all co-equal, as in "God the Father", "God the Son", "God the Holy Spirit".

You are correct in that we Latter Day Saints (Mormons) believe in three beings, God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. But we also believe together they form the Godhead, one depends directly on the other. God the Father is the literal Father of our spirits. Christ lived and died for us all atoning for our sins to allow us to be resurrected, and giving us a chance to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit is the means at which we communicate with our Heavenly Father, He also comforts us and helps us choose the right. They are distinct personages and all one at the same time, this is a little confusing without faith. We must rely on and have faith in Christ and be receptive to the Holy Spirit to be true followers of Jesus Christ.

[dindo and patty 20]

I just have one question for you though, if you have children correct me if I am wrong but you would want them brought up Muslim? If she wanted them Catholic you would not agree?

I have 2 adult children from a previous marriage. At this time, we do not plan on having children as we're in our 40's and it is perfectly

fine with both of us. If we did plan on having children, we both agreed that they will be brought up as Catholics. We've discussed this

at length early on in our relationship.

[Robert&Karen 264]

I know a Muslim and a Jew who married, seems anything goes in the US!

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

yeah. Baptist and catholic doesn't have that much difference compared to Buddism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Juadaism, Shintoism etc.

The biggest issues from these arise when neither spouse is willing to convert, and one spouse doesn't want the other spouse's religion practiced in the home. For example, Buddhism is largely an individual belief system that doesn't compel it's believers to convert other people. Buddhists can usually get along fine in a relationship with a non-Buddhist. The conflicts arise when the non-Buddhist spouse refuses to allow the Buddhist spouse to have their idols in the home or to pray there. I've seen relationships between American Christians and Vietnamese Buddhists fall apart over these conflicts. My wife is Buddhist but I'm agnostic. This works out well for us because I have no problems with my wife setting up her altar in our home and praying every day, but she doesn't expect or require me to believe in any of it. I'll participate in some of the rituals for a group event like a funeral, but everyone knows I'm doing it out of respect and not because I believe in any of it. So far, everyone has been fine with that. I've even had people thank me for it, saying that they know I'm not a Buddhist, but they appreciate the respect. I guess it would be different if I was a devout Christian.

You are correct in that we Latter Day Saints (Mormons) believe in three beings, God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. But we also believe together they form the Godhead, one depends directly on the other. God the Father is the literal Father of our spirits. Christ lived and died for us all atoning for our sins to allow us to be resurrected, and giving us a chance to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit is the means at which we communicate with our Heavenly Father, He also comforts us and helps us choose the right. They are distinct personages and all one at the same time, this is a little confusing without faith. We must rely on and have faith in Christ and be receptive to the Holy Spirit to be true followers of Jesus Christ.

There is a difference between the LDS concept of the "Godhead" and the traditional Christian concept of the "Trinity". The concept of the "Godhead" is more a counsel of separate beings. The concept of the "Trinity" is that they are aspects of the same being. One of your church elders would be able to explain the differences better than I could. I'm no expert on the LDS church, and I've never managed to get all the way through the Book of Mormon, but everything I've read about the LDS church has always emphasized that they don't share mainstream Christian belief in the "Trinity", and are not considered trinitarian.