Conservative father? [Spirituality & Religion]

I just want to start off with saying that I respect my father very much. He has been married to my mother for 41 years and shows her love and respect and he has strong morals and values. With that being said though, he is very religious, in which there is nothing wrong with that, but he pushes his beliefs on to me. For example, I grew up Catholic and he told a few times, if I don't get married in a church someday, he won't come to my wedding, so I if I chose to get married on a beach he wouldn't attend. The thing is, religion is important to me, but it's important to me because I want it to be, not because of my father's opinion. I even had a discussion with him a while ago saying, people have the right to choose what religion they want to be and feel what is right for them and his response was, you were raised Catholic, so you should remain that way. Is this what a conservative father is? Again I respect him very much, so please no rude comments.

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LadyGrace ·

We weren’t born to be people pleasers, and as adults, it’s great to make and have our own decisions. While those decisions are sometimes very difficult, we must not change our position to accommodate others. You do your thing and let him do his, but don’t let his decision sway yours. You know you both love each other, that is clear. I know this is hurtful, but you were right on, in what you told him about choices. If or when you marry, I would not put a guilt trip on him, but I would at least let him know in a loving manner, that you love him and respect his decision, and know that he must do what he feels is best for him, but that you’d really like your father at your wedding to share in this once in a lifetime special ceremony. Then leave that decision up to him. When we say our vows before God, he honors that, regardless of time or place. You might remind him of that. I do hope he changes his mind, as I think he will regret it the rest of his life if he doesn’t. Regardless of his decision, you do know that he loves you with all his heart, and I hope and pray you will not let his decision spoil your special day, should he not attend. Perhaps you could have a talk with your mother, and explain that it would mean so much and be so special to you, to have wedding photos with all the family in them. Maybe in that way, she will explain that to your father. Where in the Bible, I would ask him, does it say a man and woman must be married in a church. It doesn’t. It simply states that a man and woman should make their vows before the Lord. Marriage is more than just making a commitment to someone else. It is also entering into a holy covenant before God. In Malachi, God rebuked the people of Judah for not following His laws. These are things which you might point out to your father. I hope he will change his mind and attend your wedding. Prayer changes everything. Pray that God will speak to your father‘s heart on this matter. I wish you the best and God’s special blessings in your life and marriage. Let the Lord be the head of your home and your marriage always, and your life shall be surely blessed.