Islam gives Muslims permission to marry from “people who were given the book”. NOT going into details in this thread about, if men only were allowed or women as well, or would people of the book include anyone other than Judeo-Christian faiths or not, or weather the verses are abrogated by others etc.
What I would like to know is the consensus of other religions about it. For example, is there a Church, Synagogue, temple, that has the same ideology? What does the Canon law says about interfaith marriages?
In a secular country, you can go and get married regardless of your faith, but it’s a social marriage, where the state recognize & announces the will of two people vowing to live together. In Islamic jurisprudence, the Maulvi sahib can perform such a Nikkah or marriage without any problems.
So, is there a church, or a Hindu temple, which will allow such a union?
I can understand some liberal religious leaders might accept such a marriage, but do their religion indorses it aswell? Is there something in Bible about inter-religious marriages? What about the writings of Buddha or does Laws of Manu talk about this issue?
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*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
Is there something in Bible about inter-religious marriages?
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The Israelites were commanded not to intermarry with other nations, because they might be tempted towards idols and false gods. Ex.34v16, Josh.23v12
Some Christians feel the admonition of Paul in 2Cor.6v14 to "...not be yoked together with unbelievers" extend to business partners and marriage. Other than the basic caution that such unions/partnerships may cause strain on the religion of the believer, there is actually no teaching in the Bible to prevent inter-faith marriages for Christians.
Thanks for the info, exactly the kind I was looking for. Is there a denomination that would allow such marriages in their church, with one of the two partners being from a different faith?
And by that I don't mean from the different denominations within Christianity. But can a Parsi marry a Christian in a church? Is there any difference in the proceedings?
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*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
Is there a denomination that would allow such marriages in their church, with one of the two partners being from a different faith?
And by that I don't mean from the different denominations within Christianity. But can a Parsi marry a Christian in a church? Is there any difference in the proceedings?
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In South Africa all religious officials that past the Governments exam and become licensed marriage officials (be able to fulfill a marriage recognised by state), are somewhat forced to not be able to turn people away. They might prefer not to do the marriage in their church or some other excuse, but many will do the marriage at another venue and between any faith. They might also object to be part of a ceremony they don't feel happy with due to their faith.
Normally though, religious officials will prefer to hold the ceremony within their own church, with persons of the same denomination (not even interfaith), and with some marraige guideance beforehand.
I don't know what the proceedings are in a Parsi marriage. Can't comment.
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*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
So, is there a church, or a Hindu temple, which will allow such a union?
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ahmadjee,
A lady Muslim colleague of mine married a Hindu man, without either of them converting to the other religion. As far as I know, they did not marry through court, i.e., they had a marriage with the normal rituals. However, I don't know if rituals of only one religion were followed, or of both (I would guess, both).
So, one can say that there are atleast some Hindu priests which do support this. And I feel, if both the sides (the girl's and the boy's) have agreed to an interfaith marriage, priests ususally will not object.
Your original question was about a Hindu temple, but I answered in terms of priests. The reason is that Hindu marriages are not usually performed in a temple, or under the aegis of one. The marriage is arranged at a location chosen by the family members (maybe a home, a hotel or a marriage-hall), and a priest is invited in their personal capacity, to guide the people throught the rituals.
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*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
... or does Laws of Manu talk about this issue?
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My knowledge of the ancient texts is not deep, but I would guess that Manu's laws are silent on this subject. The reason is that when those laws were written, Hinduism was the only religion in India and in its surrounding regions.