Source: www.patheos.com
UNITED STATES, April 27, 2010, by Dilip Amin: About 38% of Hindu, Jain, and Sikh young adults in America are married to Christians, Jews, or Muslims. Fundamental religious differences can bring unexpected complexities to marriage life. In the Western world, it is quite common that young adults date those from other faiths during their college years, therefore it should come as no surprise that about a third of our young generation of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists marry a person from outside of these Dharmic faith traditions. In almost all cases where a non-Dharmic life partner is selected, the decision is made by our young adults without pre-emptive advice, guidance, or consultation with their parents.
Religious differences could bring complexities in married life, starting with an “unintended” religious conversion of Dharmics and their progeny to the faith of the intended spouse. Further, divorce rates in interfaith marriages are double compared to those within the same faith. For these reasons, it is increasingly important for our young adults to understand potential complications before entering into a serious relationship.
While interfaith relationships should develop based on a mutual respect for religious diversity, sometimes major differences in fundamentals pose difficulties in finding a common ground. Dharmics carry this tolerant attitude that all faiths help you attain God, and everyone should respect not only their own religion, but other religions as well. But this tolerant attitude is not universal. Many families belonging to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism (Abrahamics) believe in the supremacy of their monotheistic dogma.
Before entering into a relationship, one should have an open dialogue about religious expectations (especially the conversion business) and recognize the far-reaching consequences. Well-informed and well-considered decisions for selecting a life mate will certainly bring long lasting happiness in a married life, even if it is an interfaith marriage.
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