text: why do catholics insist you become one before marrying?   i don't know where you got this information, but it is not true>  converting is not a requirement, and never has been!  now, 40 years ago, you would get married in the rectory, or in a vows- only ceremony if one party wasn't catholic.  i married a presbyterian in 1985. we had a full nuptial mass- which is a thing of absolute beauty and holiness, by the way. he converted in 1996 by his own decision...in fact, i told him i didn't want him to convert, because i knew he didn't believe everything....but grace has its way, and he is a faithful catholic now.  the only 'conditions' for a catholic to marry a non- catholic are: 1. the non catholic must agree not to hinder the catholic spouses practice of the faith.  2. the catholic must sign a statement that children of the union will e raised in the faith.  3. the non catholic must acknowledge that the catholic signed the satement in #2, and they understand it.  4. the couple must be marries by a priest or deacon in a catholic church unless permission is obtained to do otherwise.  it really is quite fair.