Husband wants me to change my religion

Dear Pastor,

I am reaching out because I need your guidance concerning a difficult situation in my marriage.

I am 38 years old. My husband and I have been together for 12 years and married for 10. Recently, he became involved with an Israelite movement. Since then, our relationship has changed significantly because I have chosen not to join the organisation. I do not agree with its teachings and remain committed to my Christian faith.

Since making this decision, my husband has become verbally and financially abusive towards me. He speaks to me disrespectfully, calls me hurtful names, and has stopped contributing to household expenses saying he was advised not to help me financially. I feel as though the only way to receive love and support from my husband is to accept beliefs that I do not share.

This has left me emotionally broken and deeply hurt. I am not seeking to condemn my husband, but I genuinely need guidance on how to handle this situation.

C.

Dear C.,

If you truly know Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, you should remain committed to Him and to the Christian faith.

You have not mentioned what exactly your husband believes. But I know that there is an organisation that believes that the original Israelites are against many things that Christians uphold. They support polygamy and strongly forbid birth control. They teach that the eating of meat, eggs and the use of sugar are forbidden.

If your husband has embraced the teachings of that organisation, I can say to you that your marriage is in trouble. Well, you know it, because no good organisation would encourage a man not to support his wife financially or otherwise. In the Christian faith, men are encouraged to support their home. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

I repeat, do not bow to any teaching that is against the Christian faith. I want to assure you that if your husband is determined to punish you by not supporting you financially, you should make that known to the Christian community, because I am sure that many in the faith will assist you. You will not go hungry. God will use Christians to help you pay your bills. I am very sure about that. So please let me hear from you again.

Pastor