Hi, everybody!

[old as dirt]

I'm an atheist (old-school atheist), and have been an atheist all my life, so far as I can remember.

My wife comes from a Catholic culture, so I drive her to Mass every Sunday, and pick her up afterwards, and occaisionally even get dressed up (you know, suit and tie and all that) and acompany her to Mass, especially on Easter and Christmas.

Then we go out to eat.

Anybody else here in an intercultural marriage?

If so, how do you deal with multiculturalism?

[Mr.Bill]

1. Welcome to DU.

My wife is a non-practicing Catholic, and although I have been an Atheist since I stopped believing in Santa Claus I did go to Catholic school through the 6th grade, so I at least understand her. She grows more and more cynical every year, but I think will always believe in some sort of supreme being. We get along just fine.

[old as dirt]

3. Ha!

I went to a Catholic school for one year, second grade.

Turned out they taught cursive handwriting a year before the public schools.

But they made their "r"s different, so it caused problems when I returned to public schools.

It's pretty funny looking back on itt.

[Mr.Bill]

15. Most Atheists I have met spent some time in Catholic school.

An Evangelical Christian guy I worked with a long time ago told me Catholic school is where they train Atheists.

[old as dirt]

17. That's quite possible.

An Evangelical Christian guy I worked with a long time ago told me Catholic school is where they train Atheists.

[Susan Calvin]

23. Well, I spent time with a Catholic best friend in elementary school.

I was jealous because she got to go to more school than I did, catechism school. I was Sheldon Cooper…..

[ShazamIam]

2. I deal with it like you have, recognize it, accept it as an essential part of the human involved,

honoring and respecting that human's right to beliefs that make up their identity.

[old as dirt]

6. It still feels a little wierd when we go on a trip.

It it's a long trip, my wife will make the sign of the cross on herself, and then on me. (she doesn't drive).

The first time she did it, I asked her if she was casting a magical spell on me.

She said, "yes".

She considers herself a bit of a bruja. I said, "ok".

She still does it, but I've gotten used to it.

It's just a part of her culture.

[ShazamIam]

12. I went through a youthful time when I felt I needed to tell people who sent me various

prayers and blessings to please spare me, fortunately I loved them enough to not say those words or similar. Yes at times I have felt physically weirded out by some of the offerings made to me and for me.

[old as dirt]

16. It can take a little getting used to.

Especially in the grocery store.

Just today, my wife and I went ro the grocery story for the first time in 3 months. We had been out of the country, visiting her family in Colombia.

As usual, she just dissapeared in the grocery store, and I went from aisle to asile looking for her, to no avail.

Then, as suddely as she dissapeared, she reappeared.

When I get annoyed at her for such things, I sometimes call her "Catalina".

[ShazamIam]

18. I enjoyed the music and now I'm thinking you and your wife are two very fortunate people.

edit: I am enjoying the music, it turns off to reply.

[old as dirt]

19. I'm certainly very fortunate to have discovered my wife and her culture.

My wife may have different ideas.

[Croney]

4. Does your wife just go through the rituals out of habit, or

does she really believe there is a man in the sky watching her every move? I put up a tree and sing carols because I enjoy the nostalgia, but I'm an atheist even if you hear me singing Joy to the World.

I don't know if I could live with a true believer, but people do. Whatever works for you!

[old as dirt]

7. She doesn't describe it the way you do.

It's just a part of her culture.

[Croney]

9. Ok. I guess I was asking if she believes in God.

My culture includes the trappings of religious holidays, without the religious beliefs.

[old as dirt]

10. She definately believes in God.

And in the devil.

[multigraincracker]

5. I'm Atheist and she's Agnostics.

We met in church. Make that a Fellowship.

[old as dirt]

8. What church? UU's? (nt)

[multigraincracker]

11. Yep, great bunch of college profs and old hippies.

GF is a saint. Puts up with me.

[old as dirt]

13. Hey, if she puts up with you, ...

...what else can you ask for?

[leftieNanner]

14. I'm Episcopalian and my husband was raised in the Pentecostal church (his mother's requirement)

I'm still involved in the church (choir) and it works for me. Really fun and inclusive church - fabulous music program.

He realized that the Pentecostal church was deeply hypocritical and quit going when he was in high school.

To answer your question, we are both very spiritual people and we honor each other's ways.

He does come to church for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass for the music.

[old as dirt]

20. If not for the music, then what?

He does come to church for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass for the music

[leftieNanner]

21. Many church choirs are full of old people who sing flat

I'm an "old people" (not flat yet), but our choir director is head of the choral music department at the university. So we have lots of young, professional level singers. It's awesome. Plus he's brilliant, funny, kind, charming, and handsome. Oh, I should also mention that his wife is a gorgeous fiery woman who is the organist/pianist and a composer. We're very lucky.

[old as dirt]

24. I've never sung in a choir, but...

...I did used to go to a local pub here on Karaoke night.

[Ron Obvious]

22. I'm a lifelong atheist, and my wife's Lutheran.

It never caused a problem between us, but her family (her mother) detested me on sight because of it and it's caused problems between them. Apparently she worried about her daughter's "immortal soul" because she stopped going to church pretty much immediately. I'm immune to such talk, but my wife's obviously raised in the culture and it still has emotional impact with her.

My wife's parents are long dead, and I almost wish she would consider going to some sort of church. She's very cut off from it all, especially because we're both retired and because of Covid, but I'd have no interest in joining her. I've suggested UU, but she's not wanted to try that.

I've always been a loner so I don't feel the need for community that she does.

[old as dirt]

25. I was married ...

...to a woman from a fundamentalist family for 19 years (mid 70s to mid 90s), so I know the drill.

Funny thing was, my ex-sister in law and her husband joined an even more fundamentalist church, and condemned them even more than they condemned me.

Do you believe in karma?...lol.