Relationship of Different Faith Followers

Having and keeping a relationship with a person with a different faith is not only a challenge for the happiness of the two but also for the raring and caring of the children. Some important issues related to interfaith relationships are following religious rituals and guidance to the children.

Rituals :

Every faith has its rituals which are often not recognized by other faiths. So the first itch in a relationship with different faiths is about following the rituals. When one follows his/her rituals, the other feels that his/her faith is being ignored just because the ritual is not a recognized practice in his/her faith.

Children

Traditionally, parents guide their offsprings to follow the faith of they are following. When the followed faiths of the two parents are different, it becomes difficult for both to guide the children. Even the children have a natural leaning towards any of the faiths.

The Solution

Humanity all over the world has developed two types of societies for itself which we may call as traditional and liberal. In traditional societies, the offsprings even after they have their own families, continue their close relationships with the parents and mostly remain under control of them. In liberal societies, offsprings once on their own feet, have no or bare minimum relationship and dependence on their parents.

In liberal societies, the two of different faiths in a relationship have to take care of each other only for maintaining the relationship. So, they can easily get rid of their religious bindings and need not follow rituals of any of the faiths.

This solution has one problem. When the couple does not follow rituals of any of their faiths, they get isolated from the social contacts of the two sides particularly on the occasions of traditional festivals. Since, we humans are social animals, isolations from the societies of which we have been part of since our childhood may be painful at least in the beginning. This pain is less when the couple starts living far from the two families. So, an interfaith relationship is recommended only when the couple has a natural demand of settling at a place far from their native places.

Another solution is jointly following the rituals of both the faiths to take care of the feelings of each other. Although, it looks simple but difficult to follow in practice.

Thirdly, it is not important what religion is followed by the family of your birth. It is also not important what religion you believe in. The thing of paramount importance is what you live. For example a Hindu boy may not be a real Hindu from the point of view of orthodox Hindus because he may not be following all the rituals of Hinduism. So, when you are on the verge of a decision with a person belonging to a different faith system, don't just look the two faiths and their rituals, but the lifestyles of the two persons. Matching of the faiths of the families becomes less important when the two in a relationship have openness of minds - free from bondages of religions and faiths.

Just weigh - how much the religions of the two are important for the two. If these are important for the two, it is far better to part company. Tied in a relationship and then pulling their own faiths with them individually is no wisdom.