Interfaith Marriage: Share and Respect with Equality
Author: Dr. Dilip Amin
This book is written to promote interfaith marriage with equality. It highlights complexities of interfaith relationships for the benefit of interfaith couples and their parents. Using interfaith marriages as a tool, the author wishes to promote religious … Read the rest
For most of my early life, religion was the least of my interests, but all that changed when my children approached marriageable age. Being raised with completely pluralistic beliefs, it is difficult for me to comprehend others’ exclusivist thinking.… Read the rest
In the Western world, new adults have the opportunity to date individuals from other faiths during their college years. Therefore it should come as no surprise that in North America … Read the rest
In next two Sections, some talking points for interfaith dating couples are discussed.
More and more new adults are making friends and engaging in interfaith relationships leading to marriage, sometimes without realizing the … Read the rest
To further prepare new adults in interfaith love relationship, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help make fully informed decisions.
What is the main message here?
Interfaith relationships should be based on … Read the rest
There was no information available about interfaith marriages between the second generation of Dharmics to Abrahamics in the West. The author conducted the first such survey and published in 2008.
The … Read the rest
Following information is based on an article co-authored with Shafaq Mayet, a proud Muslim girl and a new adult from America.
Interfaith marriages have been increasing among all faiths … Read the rest
This article is written to convey a message to Dharmics about interfaith marriages.
As the former president of a Balvihar (Sunday school), the author only regrets one point of … Read the rest
This article is directed to proud Hindu parents and youths.
Proselytism and religious conversion of poor and less fortunate Hindus in India is of major concern to many, but the silent religious conversions of … Read the rest
The previous two sections covered what a Dharmic should know about an Abrahamic in a love relationship. It is also not going to be easy for an Abrahamic to marry and adjust … Read the rest
At least in public, most people claim to be tolerant of others. This article was written as a rebuttal to a question raised at Patheos and covers who is tolerant and who is not.… Read the rest
This article is written to show that religious exclusivity has no place in today’s tolerant world.
Exclusivist monotheist faiths teach that there is only one way to heaven and of course, it … Read the rest
Abrahamic faiths have strict codes against idol-worshipping, however it is not clear how one defines idol-worshipping. The author wrote this article to stimulate discussion on this topic, including the author’s personal … Read the rest
Many of celebrities’ life details are in public domain. Here, the author has used Bollywood celebrities Saif and Kareena’s published information to show that in spite of their different backgrounds a Hindu-Muslim marriage … Read the rest
Circumcision for religious reason is an irreversible religious label on a child and thus this topic deserves discussion.
“There is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your descendants after … Read the rest
In earlier sections the author discussed issues in interfaith marriages. Here, issues in withinfaith marriages are highlighted. It is human nature to discriminate and, to some extent, to be intolerant of … Read the rest
Interfaith dating couples must clearly understand all applicable marriage, divorce and child custody laws before committing to an interfaith marriage. Such couples may face mainly two types of laws: Religious Institutional Rules and … Read the rest
About a third of Hindu youths in America get married to Christians. Most Hindu youths in the West however take pride in their religious traditions and insist on going through Hindu vivaha (marriage). Most Christian significant … Read the rest
Does the Christian intended spouse believe that “salvation” is possible only through Jesus?
Are your Hindu parents not going to be “saved” on the Judgment Day?
Does he or she believe … Read the rest
Jesus was a progressive thinker and believed in adapting to time. Several points are raised to support this assertion.
The Second Commandment describes the jealous and angry God’s stern message against praying to … Read the rest
The Abrahamic God is described in the Bible as a “Jealous God” 31 times and as an “Angry God” 238 times. The word “fear” is used 455 times in the Bible; many of … Read the rest
To hold a Hindu-Christian marriage in a church most likely means the couple must sign a contract for marriage. The church will want to make sure the next generation of this family will be Christians. … Read the rest
In this book, the author has presented personal life experiences from 81 interfaith couples and their parents as appeared on InterfaithShaadi.org (names have been changed for … Read the rest
Bharti says:
I think religion is something that is very personal. In different phases of my life, I have felt different pulls. I chose to be baptized when I … Read the rest
Neelam, says:
Hello,
I’m a Hindu woman engaged to a Christian man. We have agreed to have our children baptized but we have agreed that this will not define them as … Read the rest
Section 3.8: I Am a Christian Getting Married to a Hindu
Equality in an interfaith marriage is difficult to define. Here, Cathy is trying to find a good balance between two conflicting religious practices and ready for dual religious labeling
Section 3.9: I Am a Christian Mother and My Son Is Marrying a Hindu
Marie says:
I am a Christian mother (Catholic) of a son who is planning to marry a Hindu girl. I have struggled with the exclusivity of … Read the rest
Section 3.10: I Am a Hindu and My Ex-boyfriend a Christian
Neena says:
This is really a very crucial topic. I am a Hindu and my ex-boyfriend Christian. We were madly in love and wanted to get married but he … Read the rest
Section 3.11: Can I Convert Just for One Day to Get Married?
Hindus are used to many forms of God(s) and rituals. Sometimes they do not have a problem adding another God/ritual/religion to please their intended spouse and their parents. … Read the rest
Section 3.12: I Converted without the Knowledge of My Family
Fake-conversion just for marriage and without true faith could bring disastrous results later in life. Let’s read Rima’s experience.
Rima says:
My husband and I met during our bachelor degree … Read the rest
Section 3.13: Hindu Girl: I Did Not Agree to Baptize Our Children
Preeti says:
I am a born Hindu and my fiancé is a Catholic. We are planning to tie the knot in 2 years’ time.
Our relationship grows stronger … Read the rest
Section 3.14: A Church Prenuptial Is a Must
Interfaith couples should not underestimate the powers of religious institutions. They could change your life in many ways, including after death.
Maya says:
I am a Hindu girl in love with a … Read the rest
Section 3.15: It Is a Love Marriage Where We Do Everything except Love
This story is a sad example of what can happen when you have “not done your homework” early in the love relationship phase. It is much easier … Read the rest
Section 3.16: I Am Not My Wife’s Husband!
Ron says:
Anyone contemplating marriage to a member of an Abrahamic faith is fooling himself or herself if they believe there will not be difficulty. It is a game of “High Stakes … Read the rest
Section 3.17: I’m Hindu and She Is Protestant Christian
Hari says:
Hi Admin,
I’m a Hindu guy, and my girlfriend is Protestant Christian.
After 5 years of relationship we’ve decided to get married, and now issues have started. Her cousin … Read the rest
Section 4.1: Jewish-Hindu Marriages
Jews and Hindus do not proselytize and there is no historic conflict between them. In this regard, a Jew-Hindu marriage may have less religious conflicts compared to a union with a Christian or a Muslim. There … Read the rest
Q Do you have to sign a Ketubah prenuptial and endorse the Second of the Ten Commandments?
Q Do your sons have to have religious bris circumcision, an irreversible procedure done without the child’s consent and without compelling scientific merit?… Read the rest
Section 4.2: Ketubah: Jewish Marriage Contract
A ketubah (meaning written thing) is a Jewish prenuptial agreement. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the … Read the rest
Section 4.3: Parents Are Usually Left with No Options
Mahesh says:
Hindu-Jew Marriage situation: I found this Forum very interesting. In my opinion, observation or experience, we as parents, are usually left with no options, but to yield or concede … Read the rest
Section 5.1: Hindu-Muslim Marriages
Interfaith marriage is one of the most fundamental sinful actions in Islam after shirk, rebellion against parental authority and killing a person without any legal reason. However, according to our research, 45% of Muslims marry … Read the rest
Next Section, Next Chapter, Prior Section, Prior Chapter
A Chapter from the book Interfaith Marriages: Share and Respect with Equality is posted here. View some of others chapters from the book here.
Video messages by the author
How to … Read the rest
Section 5.2: Nikaah: The Muslim Marriage Contract
Islamic Law permits a Muslim man to marry up to four (non-Muslim; Koran 4:3) women from the People of the Book (that is, Christians and Jews) but all of the children must be … Read the rest
Section 5.3: Islamic Perspective: Six Points of Hindu-Muslim Dating
Mac contributes at InterfaithShaadi.org as an Islamic expert. His mother is a former Brahmin-Hindu and he himself, at one point, was in an interfaith love relationship with a Brahmin-Hindu girl in … Read the rest
Section 5.4: I Salute a Muslim
Following is based on a letter By Seema (Ghufran) Maheshwari titled “Loyalty and the Indian Muslims” that appeared in INDIA ABROAD on November 27, 2009.
Seema believes that Major Nidal Hasan’s murderous rampage at … Read the rest
Section 5.5: Hindu: Finally I Have to Unwillingly Revert to Islam
At InterfaithShaadi.org, the majority of posts (more than 700) and comments are related to non-Muslim-to-Muslim marriages. Considering this is a major subject of interest, the author has included real … Read the rest
Section 5.6: He (Muslim) Could Not Understand the Concept of Pluralism
The author found a major difference in the mindset of two types of new adults. A pluralist and inclusivist has no problem being a part of an intended spouse’s … Read the rest
Section 5.7: About to Marry a Muslim Guy, but Now No More
Madhavi says:
First of all thank you so much for giving me this wonderful platform where I can express my emotions.
I am a Hindu Brahmin girl. … Read the rest
Section 5.8: Failed Love or a Smart Move?
Religion and culture may not be important to youths in their early 20s but as they mature, people tend to go back to their roots. Let’s read Sasha’s life experiences.
Sasha says:… Read the rest
Section 5.9: Me Converting (from Hinduism), of course, Not Her!
Concerns with expectation of religious (even fake) conversion have been a major theme at InterfaithShaadi. For this reason, this topic is covered extensively in this book and in the next … Read the rest
Section 5.10: He Expects Me to Convert to Islam
Kajol says:
I am in a bit of confusion right now. I have been seeing a Muslim Egyptian man for the past 5 years. He has been good to me and … Read the rest