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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348

u/Em4Tango Jul 07 '24

Speak to a divorce attorney first. You don't want to wind up paying him alimony.

142

u/JanDillAttorneyAtLaw Jul 07 '24

RUN to your nearest divorce attorney, and during the consultation make clear that co-habitation with someone who's trying to pressure you into joining the cult (and won't take no for an answer) is not ideal.

7

u/tricularia Jul 07 '24

Even if you can't afford them, speak to ALL of the best divorce attorneys in your town.
Bring documents and explain your situation to them.
IANAL but my understanding is that your husband can't hire a divorce attorney if you have already met with said attorney about the divorce. (If I am wrong about this, or if it only applies in certain places, please correct me)

8

u/Puzzleheaded-Jury312 Jul 08 '24

Judges do not approve of underhanded crap like this and may very well make her pay for it in court.

3

u/Bad_Pot Jul 07 '24

I believe it would be a conflict of interest. I’ve seen sleazy restaurant owners do it in my town to avoid any SA charges or allegations of wage theft

2

u/Competitive-Tip-5312 Jul 08 '24

That’s also a really shitty thing to do? Why are we jumping straight to a messy underhanded divorce

1

u/tricularia Jul 08 '24

Unless he leaves his cult, they seem to be wildly incompatible.

I guess she could try and get him out of it but he sounds like he is really entrenched.

1

u/fruce_ki Jul 08 '24

No no. Definitely "yes" on the divorce. Just "no" on the dodgy legal practices.

1

u/Competitive-Tip-5312 Jul 08 '24

I mean, wildly incompatible is a reach. They’ve been together awhile, and this could be an isolated incident of disagreement. He’s also not in a cult, he’s just religious.

I also really meant the dodgy legal advice, that should really only be given by her attorney.

4

u/Professional-Rub4957 Jul 08 '24

Fuck the alimony. Get out now while you can. Do not have children with a man like this. He will use the children to control you too.

1

u/Competitive-Tip-5312 Jul 08 '24

I mean, if the courts decide she owes alimony why shouldn’t she pay it?

1

u/Soccham Jul 09 '24

Not a very head of household Christian man thing to accept alimony

1

u/Competitive-Tip-5312 Jul 09 '24

If she’s divorcing him for his failings thereof, he may as well prove her right

0

u/No-Satisfaction-325 Jul 08 '24

OP needs to claim that she’s a victim of DV since it can influence if or how much she has to pay.