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Is my girlfriend controlling/emotionally abusive...?

I'm a man, 23 years old. My girlfriend is 21.

I've been with her for 15 months. Things were great for the first few months -- that was, until I found out the full extent of her beliefs. For context, we're both Christian, but she comes from a *much* more fundamentalist branch of the Church which thinks that the Bible describes the past literally. She believes that God made the world in 7 literal days around 6,000 years ago, evolution is a lie, and homosexuality is a sin. Not only that - she's said that the man she'll eventually marry must share all these beliefs. She's sort of implicitly given me an ultimatum, that unless I adopt these ideas I can't be the one for her. She didn't make this clear until around 5 months into dating.

I've talked with her so many times about it and there's simply zero room for compromise or middle ground. I tried explaining that the 7 days could represent millions of years, etc but she has never budged - I have to believe every detail exactly as she does. She's begun to pray for God to "make me into a Godly gentleman for her" (this is in front of me while I'm sitting next to her).

Another big issue is what I believe might be controlling behavior. I'm a big film buff, and she's always saying that certain movies with sex, nudity or homosexual themes bother her. Last Summer I wanted to go to the cinema to watch the movie "Carol" (on my own). When I got into town she texted me saying, "The movie kinda bothers me" and then explained that we shouldn't watch films that portray homosexuality in a positive light so we can "keep a pure mind". She'd known for days I wanted to see this movie and gave no indication that she'd have an issue so this caught me very off-guard and I was in a bit of a tight spot. Not wanting to cause conflict, I turned round and went back home. I know, I'm stupid.

There are certain other things I've done that have bothered her, which I believe are VERY normal things that millions of people do. For example, I went to Notting Hill Carnival (in London, we're in England) with two uni friends last summer. It wasn't till weeks later my girlfriend tells me it really bothered her cause "that's a place single people go to to look at girls in skimpy clothing" and "that's the kinda event we should've gone to together if we were gonna get married." She was also really bothered when I briefly met a Hollywood actress at the London Film Festival last year (I asked her a question at her Q+A event). My girlfriend said, "I always put all my energy into you so it bothered me when you used some of your energy on another woman" (??). I still have no idea what she meant. She's (apparently) OK with me having female friends but not OK with me having a 30-second conversation with a Hollywood actress who's twice my age and married with kids? I was made to feel really guilty for doing something...totally normal? Right?

I know you're probably reading this thinking, "Why are you in a relationship with this person?" and that I'm an idiot. Maybe you're right. I was just so smitten early on, it made it harder to consider breaking it off once I was "in deep" learning about the full extent of her beliefs. It doesn't help that this is the first time a girl was ever interested in me beyond friendship.

Sorry for the vent. I just really wanted to talk to someone about this relationship. I'm feeling very overwhelmed with it right now.

TLDR - Dating 15 months. She’s a fundamentalist Christian, insists I share her strict beliefs (literal Bible, anti-evolution, anti-LGBTQ+). No compromise, prays for me to change. Criticizes movies, events, and harmless interaction with a female celebrity. First relationship, I feel stuck but overwhelmed by red flags.
Seems like an easy one. Break up and take some lessons in spotting red flags from this one.

Reply 2

Original post
by Admit-One
Seems like an easy one. Break up and take some lessons in spotting red flags from this one.

Yeah I can't argue there ://

Reply 3

Original post
by asdads
I'm a man, 23 years old. My girlfriend is 21.
I've been with her for 15 months. Things were great for the first few months -- that was, until I found out the full extent of her beliefs. For context, we're both Christian, but she comes from a *much* more fundamentalist branch of the Church which thinks that the Bible describes the past literally. She believes that God made the world in 7 literal days around 6,000 years ago, evolution is a lie, and homosexuality is a sin. Not only that - she's said that the man she'll eventually marry must share all these beliefs. She's sort of implicitly given me an ultimatum, that unless I adopt these ideas I can't be the one for her. She didn't make this clear until around 5 months into dating.
I've talked with her so many times about it and there's simply zero room for compromise or middle ground. I tried explaining that the 7 days could represent millions of years, etc but she has never budged - I have to believe every detail exactly as she does. She's begun to pray for God to "make me into a Godly gentleman for her" (this is in front of me while I'm sitting next to her).
Another big issue is what I believe might be controlling behavior. I'm a big film buff, and she's always saying that certain movies with sex, nudity or homosexual themes bother her. Last Summer I wanted to go to the cinema to watch the movie "Carol" (on my own). When I got into town she texted me saying, "The movie kinda bothers me" and then explained that we shouldn't watch films that portray homosexuality in a positive light so we can "keep a pure mind". She'd known for days I wanted to see this movie and gave no indication that she'd have an issue so this caught me very off-guard and I was in a bit of a tight spot. Not wanting to cause conflict, I turned round and went back home. I know, I'm stupid.
There are certain other things I've done that have bothered her, which I believe are VERY normal things that millions of people do. For example, I went to Notting Hill Carnival (in London, we're in England) with two uni friends last summer. It wasn't till weeks later my girlfriend tells me it really bothered her cause "that's a place single people go to to look at girls in skimpy clothing" and "that's the kinda event we should've gone to together if we were gonna get married." She was also really bothered when I briefly met a Hollywood actress at the London Film Festival last year (I asked her a question at her Q+A event). My girlfriend said, "I always put all my energy into you so it bothered me when you used some of your energy on another woman" (??). I still have no idea what she meant. She's (apparently) OK with me having female friends but not OK with me having a 30-second conversation with a Hollywood actress who's twice my age and married with kids? I was made to feel really guilty for doing something...totally normal? Right?
I know you're probably reading this thinking, "Why are you in a relationship with this person?" and that I'm an idiot. Maybe you're right. I was just so smitten early on, it made it harder to consider breaking it off once I was "in deep" learning about the full extent of her beliefs. It doesn't help that this is the first time a girl was ever interested in me beyond friendship.
Sorry for the vent. I just really wanted to talk to someone about this relationship. I'm feeling very overwhelmed with it right now.
TLDR - Dating 15 months. She’s a fundamentalist Christian, insists I share her strict beliefs (literal Bible, anti-evolution, anti-LGBTQ+). No compromise, prays for me to change. Criticizes movies, events, and harmless interaction with a female celebrity. First relationship, I feel stuck but overwhelmed by red flags.

Your life will be (metaphorically) hell if you stay.

Reply 4

There are some things that you should pragmatically concede on. For example: she wants you to believe that the world is 6000 years and 7 days old. You tell her that you can see that it could be true. It's the sort of thing that's not worth arguing about. Nor making an issue about.

There are 3 things that you should never let her conquer:
Your time
Your humour
Your reactions

When you aborted your trip to the cinema, that was a mistake as you let her conquer your time.
When you felt guilty about asking the actress a question, you let her conquer your reactions. You should have just shrugged it off and given your girlfriend a hug.

Carry on being a good guy. Good company for her when you're together. Maintain a rock solid positive mood when you're with her.
But stop letting her conquer those 3 things.

See how things pan out.
Put her to the test. Go watch the film of your choice next time you have 2 spare hours on your hands. See how she reacts. If she dumps you over your choice of film, so be it.

I think that overall she may actually be a very sweet and easy person to get on with, in the context of living together for many years and raising children together.
Seeing as she takes the Bible so literally, what does she make of Ephesians 5:22 and 5:23?...

Reply 5

I believe you may need to examine yourself. How can you claim to be Christian yet take issue with her convictions, which are rooted in Scripture? The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is sin, as written in Leviticus 20:13: “a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.”I also do not fault her for choosing to avoid shows that contain sexual content. Scripture warns us to guard our hearts and minds: I will set no worthless thing before my eyes (Psalm 101:3). Why should she willingly expose herself to things that could lead her into temptation?

Additionally, Notting Hill Carnival is filled with behaviour that contradicts Christian values; women dancing immodestly, secular music promoting ungodly behaviour, and acts of indecency. “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15). A believer seeking to live a holy life would naturally distance themselves from such environments. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).

I commend her for taking her faith seriously and for striving not to be unequally yoked with an Ungodly man. It seems you are misunderstanding her intentions and labeling her as emotionally abusive when, in reality, she appears to be standing firm in her walk with God. Perhaps you need to take some time to reflect on your own faith and relationship with the Lord, as it seems weak in this regard. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

It is okay if you are not yet ready to fully walk in alignment with biblical principles, but it would be wise to stop condemning her for pursuing holiness. I will leave it at that.

Reply 6

"I always put all my energy into you so it bothered me when you used some of your energy on another woman" (??). Istill have no idea what she meant. She's (apparently) OK with me having female friends but not OK with me having a 30-second conversation with a Hollywood actress who's twice my age and married with kids? I was made to feel really guilty for doing something...totally normal?”

you need to speak with each other and come to an understanding, you both seem to be poor communicators.

Reply 7

"I know you're probably reading this thinking, "Why are you in a relationship with this person?"

Damn right. I would 100% run several miles, you are not compatible and yes this behaviour is controlling. This is what your life would be like each and every day.

Tbh I see something like the world being created in 7 days & a few thousand years old less as a religious belief and more as outright stupid, particularly in an adult capable of their own research and reasoning, they might as well demand I accept the world is flat.

Reply 8

Original post
by Anonymous
"I always put all my energy into you so it bothered me when you used some of your energy on another woman" (??). Istill have no idea what she meant. She's (apparently) OK with me having female friends but not OK with me having a 30-second conversation with a Hollywood actress who's twice my age and married with kids? I was made to feel really guilty for doing something...totally normal?”
you need to speak with each other and come to an understanding, you both seem to be poor communicators.

On the contrary, she seems to be an excellent communicator.

She has expressed her views on things that are important to her in ways that the original poster can understand.
And she's listened to what the original poster has to say on these things.
And then instead of getting in to a heated row with him about their disagreements, she's started praying, right next to him.

The original poster may well be an excellent communicator too.
He's listened to and understands what she is saying.
He's expressed his views in a way that she has understood when he's disagreed with her.
He hasn't got into a heated row with her. He hasn't blown his top (as far as we know).

It's totally fine if the understanding is one of the original poster setting the frame of:
"I'm not perfect. I never claim to be. Nobody's perfect. I am however confident that I'm better than most men. I do love you. Very much. And accept you as you are."

A valid tactic he could use, is to go to a few of her church meetings / services with her. It's inevitable that there will be huge hypocrites at her church. After the meeting he should allow her to air her thoughts on these hypocrites.
In this way he'd be undermining her faith in the gentlest possible way. Whilst also adhering to the teachings of Christ in judging trees by the fruits that they bear.
And also making a point in an indirect way about what's more important, the inner character of the man, or the outward faith / virtue signalling traits of the man?

It's easy to come across as more angelic than any man she's ever met - in several respects. Whilst also having "an edge".

Reply 9

Original post
by Dunnig Kruger
On the contrary, she seems to be an excellent communicator.
She has expressed her views on things that are important to her in ways that the original poster can understand.
And she's listened to what the original poster has to say on these things.
And then instead of getting in to a heated row with him about their disagreements, she's started praying, right next to him.
The original poster may well be an excellent communicator too.
He's listened to and understands what she is saying.
He's expressed his views in a way that she has understood when he's disagreed with her.
He hasn't got into a heated row with her. He hasn't blown his top (as far as we know).
It's totally fine if the understanding is one of the original poster setting the frame of:
"I'm not perfect. I never claim to be. Nobody's perfect. I am however confident that I'm better than most men. I do love you. Very much. And accept you as you are."
A valid tactic he could use, is to go to a few of her church meetings / services with her. It's inevitable that there will be huge hypocrites at her church. After the meeting he should allow her to air her thoughts on these hypocrites.
In this way he'd be undermining her faith in the gentlest possible way. Whilst also adhering to the teachings of Christ in judging trees by the fruits that they bear.
And also making a point in an indirect way about what's more important, the inner character of the man, or the outward faith / virtue signalling traits of the man?
It's easy to come across as more angelic than any man she's ever met - in several respects. Whilst also having "an edge".

No we’ve never had a heated argument.

But it wouldn’t matter if i was the most angelic man on Earth. If I don’t believe Genesis is word for word literal then it wouldn’t work.

Reply 10

It's easier for you if you tolerate and respect the religious beliefs of your partner.
It's easier if you don't make a mountain out of the molehill of your religious differences.
You and her have far more in common than you have differences when it comes to religion.

Imagine a Venn diagram of yours and her religious beliefs. It would be 2 almost totally overlapping circles. With only the smallest areas outside the circle.

What does it matter to your day to day life whether the opening chapter of Genesis is literally true or not?
It doesn't matter one bit. It happened way before you were born. And it has no bearing whatsoever on your day to day life.

It is actually easy to be extremely tolerant of her views on Genesis. It is easy for you to tell her that she could be right. Because that's the truth. She COULD be right.

You being extremely tolerant on this Genesis issue and you not making a mountain out of it is a prime example of how you can make your life easy, whilst being more angelic than the vast majority of men out there.

It's complete nonsense that your relationship / marriage with her wouldn't work if you don't literally believe in Genesis.
2 people can have the most magical and amazing marriage whilst disagreeing on far bigger and far more important religious points than this.

If you are overall an attractive enough man (which you can be by displaying large amounts of mental and emotional strength) then your girlfriend and her parents will accept you willingly enough. Even though you're not "perfect" in some respects.
If you are not overall attractive enough (by displaying mental and emotional weakness) then they will pick on any excuse to blow you off.

BTW mental and emotional strength doesn't involve you putting on some tough guy act. It involves you maintaining a rock solid good mood in the face of stress, including conflict and disagreements. You are already largely there in demonstrating this to her, because you've never had a heated argument with her. Whereas most men would have done by now.

Reply 11

Original post
by Dunnig Kruger
It's easier for you if you tolerate and respect the religious beliefs of your partner.
It's easier if you don't make a mountain out of the molehill of your religious differences.
You and her have far more in common than you have differences when it comes to religion.
Imagine a Venn diagram of yours and her religious beliefs. It would be 2 almost totally overlapping circles. With only the smallest areas outside the circle.
What does it matter to your day to day life whether the opening chapter of Genesis is literally true or not?
It doesn't matter one bit. It happened way before you were born. And it has no bearing whatsoever on your day to day life.
It is actually easy to be extremely tolerant of her views on Genesis. It is easy for you to tell her that she could be right. Because that's the truth. She COULD be right.
You being extremely tolerant on this Genesis issue and you not making a mountain out of it is a prime example of how you can make your life easy, whilst being more angelic than the vast majority of men out there.
It's complete nonsense that your relationship / marriage with her wouldn't work if you don't literally believe in Genesis.
2 people can have the most magical and amazing marriage whilst disagreeing on far bigger and far more important religious points than this.
If you are overall an attractive enough man (which you can be by displaying large amounts of mental and emotional strength) then your girlfriend and her parents will accept you willingly enough. Even though you're not "perfect" in some respects.
If you are not overall attractive enough (by displaying mental and emotional weakness) then they will pick on any excuse to blow you off.
BTW mental and emotional strength doesn't involve you putting on some tough guy act. It involves you maintaining a rock solid good mood in the face of stress, including conflict and disagreements. You are already largely there in demonstrating this to her, because you've never had a heated argument with her. Whereas most men would have done by now.

So here’s the thing - I agree with all of this. It absolutely makes no difference over what period of time the world was made. But it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t see it that way - there’s nothing anyone can say or do that will change her view that it’s essential her partner takes the Bible word for word.
Look, it's really straightforward, break up. She's bullish in her worldview which she is entitled to be, but she can't command her partner to agree with her.

To be blunt she is a plank.

Reply 13

Original post
by asdads
So here’s the thing - I agree with all of this. It absolutely makes no difference over what period of time the world was made. But it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t see it that way - there’s nothing anyone can say or do that will change her view that it’s essential her partner takes the Bible word for word.

Change her mood. Not her mind.

Her frame may well be that she can't marry anyone unless they share her beliefs to the letter.
Your frame is that she can. Especially when there's 98% agreement.

Maintain your frame. In a good natured, assertive way. Whilst tolerating and allowing her to have her frame.

The person with the stronger frame tends to prevail.

Reply 14

As a Christian myself I’d advice you to look elsewhere for a partner. She has every right to her beliefs but she has no right to force them on you. You can love someone and they could be wrong for you at the same time. Best to walk away with your peace.

Reply 15

Original post
by asdads
I'm a man, 23 years old. My girlfriend is 21.
I've been with her for 15 months. Things were great for the first few months -- that was, until I found out the full extent of her beliefs. For context, we're both Christian, but she comes from a *much* more fundamentalist branch of the Church which thinks that the Bible describes the past literally. She believes that God made the world in 7 literal days around 6,000 years ago, evolution is a lie, and homosexuality is a sin. Not only that - she's said that the man she'll eventually marry must share all these beliefs. She's sort of implicitly given me an ultimatum, that unless I adopt these ideas I can't be the one for her. She didn't make this clear until around 5 months into dating.
I've talked with her so many times about it and there's simply zero room for compromise or middle ground. I tried explaining that the 7 days could represent millions of years, etc but she has never budged - I have to believe every detail exactly as she does. She's begun to pray for God to "make me into a Godly gentleman for her" (this is in front of me while I'm sitting next to her).
Another big issue is what I believe might be controlling behavior. I'm a big film buff, and she's always saying that certain movies with sex, nudity or homosexual themes bother her. Last Summer I wanted to go to the cinema to watch the movie "Carol" (on my own). When I got into town she texted me saying, "The movie kinda bothers me" and then explained that we shouldn't watch films that portray homosexuality in a positive light so we can "keep a pure mind". She'd known for days I wanted to see this movie and gave no indication that she'd have an issue so this caught me very off-guard and I was in a bit of a tight spot. Not wanting to cause conflict, I turned round and went back home. I know, I'm stupid.
There are certain other things I've done that have bothered her, which I believe are VERY normal things that millions of people do. For example, I went to Notting Hill Carnival (in London, we're in England) with two uni friends last summer. It wasn't till weeks later my girlfriend tells me it really bothered her cause "that's a place single people go to to look at girls in skimpy clothing" and "that's the kinda event we should've gone to together if we were gonna get married." She was also really bothered when I briefly met a Hollywood actress at the London Film Festival last year (I asked her a question at her Q+A event). My girlfriend said, "I always put all my energy into you so it bothered me when you used some of your energy on another woman" (??). I still have no idea what she meant. She's (apparently) OK with me having female friends but not OK with me having a 30-second conversation with a Hollywood actress who's twice my age and married with kids? I was made to feel really guilty for doing something...totally normal? Right?
I know you're probably reading this thinking, "Why are you in a relationship with this person?" and that I'm an idiot. Maybe you're right. I was just so smitten early on, it made it harder to consider breaking it off once I was "in deep" learning about the full extent of her beliefs. It doesn't help that this is the first time a girl was ever interested in me beyond friendship.
Sorry for the vent. I just really wanted to talk to someone about this relationship. I'm feeling very overwhelmed with it right now.
TLDR - Dating 15 months. She’s a fundamentalist Christian, insists I share her strict beliefs (literal Bible, anti-evolution, anti-LGBTQ+). No compromise, prays for me to change. Criticizes movies, events, and harmless interaction with a female celebrity. First relationship, I feel stuck but overwhelmed by red flags.

There are essentially two issues here.

1) Her fundamentalist beliefs

2) The terms of your relationship and linked to this, communication

With regards to her beliefs I would be honest and explain that while you like the fact she's a Christian, your a logical man and cannot deny science. She can debate the issue to try convince you but you won't simply lie to her and cannot just change your beliefs. She can accept this or leave.

With regards to your other issues, these stem from a lack of defined relationship terms on both your parts and you intimating that you have allowed her to be in control and previously reacted too weakly.

Simply put, if you don't wish to be in a relationship in which she wears the pants then you need to be a man and say 'no'. Explain that if she has an issue with your actions she must raise the issue beforehand or wait and raise the issue when your home, that you will not allow her to dictate to you or get annoyed in the moment. That way you can discuss and if required compromise or inform her as to what you will do.

Reply 16

Why are you stuck? You seem to have wildly different views on life - if that's not a reason to break up, I don't know what is...

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