Atheist With a Christian spouse

[DesertFlower]

39. my friend has a very catholic family. he

believes in a spiritual god. on thanksgiving he wouldn't say grace. there were a lot of people there including his sister's in-laws. he said "i'm not a catholic". people got upset especially his dad and then he said "i do believe in god" and they went on with dinner.

a few months ago he told me that when his parents die he'll go to the funeral, but will walk out when they start with the prayers. his father's funeral was today and i hope he didn't do that.

i don't know how to describe myself -- maybe a pagan or pantheist, but i have respect for other people's religions. if i go to someone's house and they say grace i just bow my head. i would never walk out or make a big deal.

a neighbor's mother passed a few years ago and we were invited to the memorial service. it was in a church (not catholic). the pastor went on and on about how grandma loved jesus (that's what we called her). i thought it was ridiculous -- how can you love someone you don't know, but hubby and i both behaved ourselves and sat and listened.