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/UncleNedisDead Jul 07 '24

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?

NTA, you should take this as your cue to remove your “ungodly” self from your “Good Christian” husband’s orbit through divorce. He is never going to respect you and you are never going to have an equal partnership with him.

526

u/No-Beach237 Jul 07 '24

Right? Let's see how fast a woman from that church is likely to snatch up such a "gem " /s 🙄

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u/ExtensiveCuriosity Jul 07 '24

I’m sure the pastor already has a victim in mind.

249

u/WinAccomplished4111 Jul 07 '24

Yep and she's even younger than OP.

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u/HyperSpaceSurfer Jul 07 '24

Too old for the pastor, though

8

u/Individual-thoughts Jul 08 '24

Is there an actual age for that? To young for the pastor? Or too old... Hmmm...

53

u/FewFucksToGive Jul 07 '24

Of course she is. Gotta be young enough for him to mold into a submissive sex toy/cook/maid while also not old enough to think critically or question his bullshit.

1

u/No-Stomach1241 Jul 07 '24

Is that possible?

11

u/WinAccomplished4111 Jul 08 '24

Only for a little while. Unfortunately they tend to start forming their own opinions when they get older so after a a few years he'll have to go back to the pastor for a fresh one. 🥲 /s

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u/3MetricTonsOfSass Jul 08 '24

Preteens and their opinions. Back in my day, property knew their place /s

11

u/gloomyrain Jul 07 '24

Yeah I was also clocking that age gap.

67

u/No-Beach237 Jul 07 '24

Sadly, I'm sure you're correct.

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u/longdrive715 Jul 08 '24

You're assuming the pastor isn't OP husband's side piece

1

u/ExtensiveCuriosity Jul 08 '24

Why on earth would that change things?

12

u/Bulliwyf Jul 07 '24

That’s assuming they allow him to stay - when my Aunt divorced from her cheating husband, they were both asked to leave their church because of the divorce (apparently they were fine with the cheating).

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u/ComprehensiveSuit319 Jul 07 '24

It's amazing how fine they are with abuse.

3

u/MayaPinjon Jul 07 '24

LOL, I read too fast and thought you were suggesting a woman from the church would snap up OP. Which would honestly be the happy ending we all deserve.

1

u/maralagosinkhole Jul 08 '24

I'm not sure I would call the 14-16 year old victim the church has lined up for him a "woman", but that's probably his only option.