What was your dating story? As a divorced person, should I seek an anullment? I have some friends who are seriously discussing polyamory, and whether monogamy is even worth it. What do you think?
Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.
This week’s questions:
Q1: Tell us your dating story!
Q2: I was married for 15 years and have been divorced for 7 years. I haven’t tried to get an annulment. It was an unhappy marriage. My husband was verbally abusive and unfaithful. I wasn’t perfect either. I wasn’t a good wife. I made mistakes and I feel I was selfish when I chose to get divorced, because I wanted happiness. But my life has been anything but happy and our two children were impacted negatively by our divorce. I don’t feel, in my heart, that I deserve an annulment because I was 30 when I got married and knew what I was doing. Should I try and get the annulment, or should I pray that I can be reunited with my ex-husband or should I resign myself to live a single chaste life?
Q3: I once met this girl whose boyfriend cheated on her, and she really was hurt. She told me that in the past when she had a boyfriend, and other men were interested in her, she would cheat, so she would be the one who would be hurting them. Then she began talking about polyamory. A guy she was with began saying that polyamory was the best way to go. Threesome, foursome, it was all fun. I was kind of disgusted by the whole conversation. I was trying to tell them (as a Catholic that I am), that that was wrong, but since I didn't know how to explain that that type of mentality and attitude towards relationship and sex is not fun and is wrong, they began laughing at me. So they asked me this question: "IS MONOGAMY WORTH IT?”.
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Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals.
Featuring music by Mike Mangione.
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