Yikes!!

[gotmygirls]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

My ex-husband has recently gotten on a huge religous kick. I realize this shouldn't be a bother to me, but I'm still concerned for my 3 daughters. He is suposedly an ordained priest for the church of latter day saints (mormons). He is having our 2 oldest daughters (12 & 15) baptized there this coming weekend. I have tried talking to him about this. He is so controlling and manipulative that I can't reason with him. I don't know if I can get their baptism nullified afterward. HELP!!!

 

[stealth2]

Well, for starters - what's your legal custody situation?

 

[gotmygirls]

yikes

I have physical custody.

 

[stealth2]

Okay. What about legal custody? Physical custody is where they live - legal custody addresses who makes decisions for the kids: you, him, or jointly.

 

[76ER]

If you have joint legal custody, he has the right to make decisions in regards to your daughters. I do have a question though, do you have a problem with them being involved with a Christian faith? What is it about the religious choice your ex has made that bothers you so much? I am asking because he may feel the same way about the religion in your life and he would like to expose them to his. When they are adults they are free to choose if they would like to continue going to church, whether it is the religion you have exposed them to, or the religion your ex has chosen to expose them to. I know several families with dual religious beliefs and they raise their children with both in their lives and when they are old enough they can choose for themselves.

 

[stealth2]

Not to get into a huge theological discussion, but baptism is quite a bit more than just exposing a child to a particular faith. In addition, if the kids are already baptised (or equivalent in a non-Christian faith), it's a huge deal from a *religious* perspective (I know, IAAL & BB - not from a legal one). You can't be baptised in two faiths.

If the kids aren't already members of a faith community, I'd likely just shrug about it. Although LDS wouldn't be near the top of my list for it. Nothing personal!

 

[FLFamof5]

Imo....

My Ex tried to have our daughter baptized when she was 5yo. Since we have joint legal, it states that both parties have to agree upon education, religion, etc.

If this is stated in your CO then he will be in contempt for you disagreeing?