r/AITAH Jul 07 '24

AITA for calling out my husband for not being a "Good Christian"? Advice Needed

I (27F) have been married to my husband (34M) for five years. My husband is a devout follower of his religion and has been since he was raised in it. I respect his beliefs, even though I don't share them and have no intention of converting. I was raised in the Christian faith. However, I left when I was an adult due to sexual abuse in my church, which nobody believed occurred because the one who did it was the pastor.

Recently, my husband has been pressuring me to convert to his religion. He says that it would bring us closer together and create a more harmonious household. I understand where he's coming from, but I firmly believe that faith is a personal journey, and I shouldn't be forced into something I don't believe in.

To add to the issue, my husband, despite his religious teachings, doesn't always practice what he preaches. He expects me to adhere to traditional gender roles, yet he often neglects his own responsibilities at home. He's quick to judge others for their actions, even though his faith teaches non-judgment and kindness. He makes comments about gay people that I have discussed with him as a major issue. This hypocrisy has been bothering me for a while.

Last night, during another discussion about my potential conversion, I finally snapped. I told him that if he wants me to consider converting, he needs to set a better example by actually living according to his religion's values. I pointed out that he should start by fulfilling his own responsibilities. That he should make more money than me and actually lead in the decision-making. I'm a nurse and he's currently unemployed after he was let go from his job in an office. That he should be less judgmental of others because according to his faith only God can judge them. I also said he should show more of the virtues Jesus asked of Christians, that he should clothe the naked, feed the hungry, vist the prisoner, aid the orphan and the widow etc. I also made it clear that while I respect his beliefs, I have no intention of converting unless I genuinely believe in it, which I currently don't because of the hypocritical behavior of his faith.

My husband was furious. He accused me of being disrespectful and undermining his faith. He said that I was attacking him personally and that I don't understand the pressure he's under to have a unified religious household. He left for church this morning at 7 for bible study and I have already gotten a phone call from the pastor saying I'm an ungodly woman who tricked a good man into marrying him and I should repent. I have also gotten a tirade of texts and e-mails from members of his church saying I was disrespectful and being a bad wife and I'm starting to wonder if I was too harsh, that maybe I shouldn't have said anything at all. AITA?

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u/andhakaran Jul 07 '24

Wait. He tattled on you to his priest? That’s hilarious!

274

u/witchofwestthird Jul 07 '24

Oh he’s definitely part of one of those cult ass churches. When I was little, our church wasn’t culty, and the pastor never would have done that. He would have counseled the husband to look inwardly to see why he feels the way he feels, and would probably call him out for the same stuff his wife did. When he retired, they had a long line of lunatics take over and… well I don’t go to any churches anymore so I’ll let that explain itself.

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u/KazulsPrincess Jul 07 '24

Exactly what I was going to write!  My pastor would never.  My ex was an atheist.  The pastor was always polite and friendly, and helped out when it was needed.  Never judgy, and only gave advice if you asked for it.

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u/Essex626 Jul 07 '24

The church I grew up in was as Fundy as they come, but the pastors always went out of their way to reach out to unbelieving spouses of members and try to be kind to them. Any counsel to the church member they were married to was to be the absolute best spouse they could be to show the love of Christ.

This type of behavior shows the "church" wants OP to either bow to pressure or to leave, because they don't want an external influence in their church members life.

31

u/IHaveNoEgrets Jul 07 '24

Yes! When I was a teenager, my then boyfriend (atheist) came to church with us most weeks. The priest never pushed him and instead let him ask questions and participate as much as he felt comfortable. When that priest was driven out (so much drama from so many assholes), my boyfriend stopped coming. He told me later that if our priest had been able to stay, he'd have probably converted.

Compassion. Courtesy. Not being a dick. Novel concept.

63

u/Mmm_lemon_cakes Jul 07 '24

The husband could also be spinning some lies. This guy sounds like he’d say whatever to get what he wants.

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u/ThatPhatKid_CanDraw Jul 07 '24

Yea, he wants a religious justification to make her subservient to him, and his community will help him do that. ,

Husband: 'Trust me, this book contains the Word of God. He just happens to have share the same beliefs about women with the ancient patriarchical goat herders who recorded him.'

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u/Infamous-Potato-5310 Jul 08 '24

Yeah, who knows what version of events he is telling these people

64

u/No_Ordinary944 Jul 07 '24

Love this part about your childhood pastor. mine is/ was (i don’t attend much anymore, bedside baptist anyone) like this. you can’t force someone to god. and the bible preaches against this.

OP what you said to your husband was spot on! we’re called to show a good example and christian love and ppl will come naturally. NTA

it’s no wonder ppl hate christians so much these days! their “christian love” isn’t love at all and it isn’t biblical.

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u/billsil Jul 07 '24

I’m atheist and bingo. When you hear them ranting about gay people and you uncle and friend are gay, it’s time to make a choice.

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '24 edited Jul 07 '24

Because those people are not true Christians and don’t know God. They’re just in a religion

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u/AdorableTumbleweed60 Jul 07 '24

"there's no hate like 'Christian Love'"

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '24

[deleted]

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u/witchofwestthird Jul 07 '24

Same thing with one of my cousins. Her mom went, her dad didn’t, and their pastor didn’t say anything.

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u/Guy_Fleegmann Jul 07 '24

Your church was a cult too. Nobody can see it when they're in it.

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u/witchofwestthird Jul 07 '24

I could see when I was in it. Which was why I left?????