2.11: Idol-worshipper: Who Is and Who Is Not?
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
2.12: Saif and Kareena: Interfaith Marriage
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
2.13: Circumcision: Science or Superstition?
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
2.14: Meera versus Margaret: Discrimination of Own Type
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
2.15: Interfaith Marriage and Divorce Laws
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
3.1: Hindu-Christian Marriages
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
3.1 – FAQ: Christian-Dharmic Marriage
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
3.2: Follow Jesus, Not the Church
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
3.3: A Jealous and Angry God
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
3.4: Church Marriage Contract
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
3.5: A Christian and Hindu Interfaith Marriage of 24 Years in the States
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
3.6: I Chose to Be Baptized when I Was Pregnant
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
3.7: We Agreed to Have Our Children Baptized
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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
FAQ: Jewish-Hindu Marriages
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
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
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
Am a Hindu and He is Anglo Indian Christian
Veena says: June 19, 2017 at 5:36 am
Hi
Durga,
I read your story in interfaith shaadi. Am really sad and presently facing the same situation as u have now only one change is that we both have job still … Read the rest
Bible’s Views on Interfaith Marriages
priya says: June 20, 2017 at 11:30 pm
I am in relationship with CSI guy..Suddenly he is saying that CSI Christians won’t accept love marriage even I am ready to convert and I am ready to speak with my parents..He … Read the rest
Video Message about the Book: Interfaith Marriage
Here is the author’s video message about the book.
Introduction
Read first 37 pages of the book free, click “Look Inside”
About author
Authors Presentations and Travel Plans
Media coverage
Endorsements of the book
Publisher Mount Meru
How
Section 5.1: Hindu-Muslim Marriages
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
Section 5.1: FAQ: Hindu-Muslim Marriages
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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!
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
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
Section 5.11: Muslim Will Marry Me Only If I Convert
Section 5.11: Muslim Will Marry Me Only If I Convert
Dr. Manu says:
I am in love with a girl for several years and she is a Muslim. She is not Indian. I went to her house to convince her … Read the rest
Section 5.12: I Pray for His Conversion to Islam in Every Namaz
Section 5.12: I Pray for His Conversion to Islam in Every Namaz
Eman says:
He’s Brahmin and very religious. I too am very religious. I pray for his conversion to Islam, every time in namaz. He’s a great guy, very … Read the rest
Section 5.13: I Fear Converting to Islam
Section 5.13: I Fear Converting to Islam
Alpa says:
I need a suggestion. I am a Hindu Brahmin girl planning to marry a Muslim Guy. I read that without converting we can register as per Special Marriage Act. But … Read the rest
Section 5.14: I am Not Going to Change My Religion at Any Cost
Section 5.14: I am Not Going to Change My Religion at Any Cost
Falguni says:
I am Hindu girl in a relationship with a Muslim boy for the last seven years. We both love each other a lot and his … Read the rest
Section 5.15: I Will Not Convert
Section 5.15: I Will Not Convert
Vijya says:
I was born into a practicing Hindu family and was raised in the West. I grew up spending massive amounts of time at the temple and found many parts of the religion … Read the rest
Section 5.16: Is It Possible that I Convert to Islam Just as a Formality?
Section 5.16: Is It Possible that I Convert to Islam Just as a Formality?
Many youths decided to convert to the spouse’s faith without truly understanding the faith. The next few sections give such examples.
Yogin says:
I am a … Read the rest
Section 5.17: Fake-conversion for Marriage?
Section 5.17: Fake-conversion for Marriage?
Tarun says:
I come from a multi-religious family. My Dad is a Brahmin (we eat just about anything under the sun although his family was pure vegetarian). My Mum is half Christian (father is half … Read the rest
Section 5.18: My Children Must Follow Islam
Section 5.18: My Children Must Follow Islam
The most important question in any interfaith relationship is the religion of children. Here, Toral has no idea what Islam is all about but agreed to raise her children as Muslims.
Toral says:… Read the rest
Section 5.19: Hindu: I’ve Decided to Take Up Islam
Section 5.19: Hindu: I’ve Decided to Take Up Islam
Love is blind. It is easy to get proselytized when in love. However, when reality hits, one may want to go back to one’s own roots. For this reason, it is … Read the rest