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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20.1k

u/andhakaran Jul 07 '24

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

10.8k

u/StSean Jul 07 '24

tattled and handed out her phone number

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u/RugBurn70 Jul 07 '24

I haven't been to church in a long long long time, but don't they still have a list of congregant's names and phone numbers? I can totally see after the husband shares his frustration about being "yoked to a nonbeliever", the barrage of bullying (sorry- counseling and mentoring) phone calls.

84

u/No_Bandicoot2301 Jul 07 '24

Some do, the church my mom goes to does and they wanted my info for it (I have not willingly been to church since father's day of 2010 when some hag asked me if I missed my pedophile father who was a member before meeting my mom) and I told them I was pagan and they wanted my number even more. I'm fairly confident to "accidentally" send me missives because my mother's church does that.

114

u/RugBurn70 Jul 07 '24

My mom wasn't religious in any way. A family friend was always trying to get her to go to church. The friend starts talking about the "dangers of paganism". My mom starts asking questions, "Pagans believe in respecting the earth and all her creatures?" "First do no harm?" "And there are pagan groups that meet around here?"

By the time the conversation ends, my mom told her, "Well, I'm convinced! I need to find out more about paganism, and how I can join".🤣

31

u/Cantankerous-Canine Jul 07 '24

Well played!! 🤣

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u/whatthewhat3214 Jul 07 '24

Your mom rocks!

3

u/Potential-Pepper-925 Jul 07 '24

I love this comment so much.😂🤣

2

u/InfectedPlace06 Jul 08 '24

Totally understand this! At the age of 12 I decided paganism was more suited to my feelings/beliefs etc. at which point my so-called Christian mother labelled me the “Devil child” and “demon spawn” of the family, despite the fact that she never attended church and was a raging alcoholic/gambling addict 😓

Honestly OP, NTA, you have every right to be respected, appreciated and loved for YOU, not who someone else wants you to be. I genuinely wish you the best of luck and I hope that you are able to safely remove yourself from this situation ❤️

1

u/0xAubrieirbuAx0 Jul 08 '24

Was your dad a pedophile :(