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. In the next two sections, unintended consequences of “fake-conversion” are covered.

Rohit says:

I have a Christian girlfriend and I am a Hindu. We want to get married but the problem is that her family is asking me to convert to baptism by taking a dip in holy water. I am fine with it but I want to know that once we get married we both will follow our own religion and the girl’s family would not come to know about it. My question is that if I convert myself and from the next day I start following my own religion so that my God is happy and she will follow her own religion so that her God is also happy. Is it possible? I hope it’s not a sin to get married to a person you can’t live without and converting just for one day to get married? Please help! —Rohit

Admin says:

Dear Rohit, 

“Conversion to Christianity for just one day” is an absolute sin. Christ and Krishna will never forgive you. You will be lying to and insulting Jesus, the church, the girl’s parents, all your Hindu relatives, and most importantly, yourself. Unless other Christians tell us differently, baptism is not a hollow ritual devoid of meaning. Would you convert to Islam for one day if she were a Muslim? Does your self-esteem really allow you to do this? Why would you want to start your marriage journey in the wrong direction? Why would you make lies and deception the foundation of your marriage?

Instead of “Baptism for One Day” option above, we recommend one of three below:

1) Go to her church and learn more about Christianity. If you find out that Christianity is a better religion than Hinduism, yes, then convert and proudly announce it to all.

2) An alternative is to take the Christian girl to a Swamiji or guru or give her Holy Geeta and teach her about Hinduism. Maybe she will find Hinduism a better religion (like Julia Roberts) and maybe want to convert. At least let her experience first hand the difficulty you are having, when asked to abandon your religion and choose another. Or…

3) Forget about this conversion business (#1 and 2 above). You remain 100% who you are and let her be 100% who she is. Go to a court and get married. Make sure you do exactly the same for your children too. Teach them about both faiths without any formal religious label on them. When children reach age 21, let them choose one of the two religions by their own free will.

Baptism may be a 10 minute ritual, but it may have major legal implications for you: A) Let’s say in the event of your death following baptism, your parents want to give you the Hindu cremation final rites. Your wife wants you to have a Christian burial. In all likelihood, the court will approve the Christian burial because you are (were) legally a Christian. B) The church may ask you to sign a prenuptial agreement for your children, meaning you are ending your Hindu heritage now. Is that your intention? C) Let’s say after 10 years of marriage there is a divorce. In the custody battle for the children, the court may give a judgment in favor of the Christian spouse and may ban you from teaching them Hindu religion, because these children are Christians and both parents are (were) also Christians.

Rohit, you seem to be educated and intelligent and hope the Christian fiancé is the same. Make a decision today that will make you proud of yourself even when you reach 80 years old. We wish you the best. —Admin

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 purchase the book (as low as Rs.270 or $14.99).

Return to Home, Blogs, How to Share? Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Book, Media.