How are Interracial and Inter-faith relationships looked upon in the Hindu community and religiously?

Race is a non-issue with Hindus for the most part. A Hindu of any race is fully accepted, with the exception of a few temples, such as Jagannatha Puri, where only Indian Hindus are allowed to enter. Interfaith relationships are problematic. The actual name of the religion most people call Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma. "Hinduism" is a slang term. At one point Muslims living on the banks of the River Sindhu began referring to those on the other side as "Sindhus." Due to the nature of Arabic, they pronounced it as "Hindus." Sanatana Dharma means Universal or Eternal Truth or religion. Hindus accept all people of faith. The difficulty comes from the fact that Islam and Christianity are missionary religions that have diligently sought to convert Hindus and undermine their culture. As a result, most Hindus, while respecting all religions, are zealous to defend their own. When one considers the negative effects of missionaries on India and many other cultures this mistrust is sad but understandable. The point is not that "Hindus have the truth and all others do not" as taught by other faiths. It is simply a matter of self preservation. The Indian Rg Veda, the world's oldest scripture, says, "Truth is one, the sages call it by different names." This is a deeply held belief of all Hindu sects.How are Interracial and Inter-faith relationships looked upon in the Hindu community and religiously?While the religion really has no problem with inter-racial and inter-faith relationships, the community is not that open !



Strange, isn't it?



The Hindu culture is unique and deeply influenced by a family-oriented value system. Sometimes, these systems clash with western ways of thinking.

The cultural mismatches and chasms are really the basic reasons cited for opposition to mixed matches.

Marriages are sacrosanct and the option of "experimenting" with it is frowned upon.

To give an example, a wife is supposed to place her husband and kids before herself, and vice-versa. Add to this placing mother-in-law and other in-laws before herself and you have quite a complex social order.

In the western society, the prime theory is "love yourself first" in order to be able to love others.

Both the philosophies work in their own societies and so must be correct in their own ways.

But you can see how they could come in conflict when together.

This is one example, perhaps not even a very good one.

But the point is, the couple may find itself at loggerheads over fundamentals. It is for this reason that elders in the society discourage it.

Not that the present generation cares two hoots, though....!!

:)How are Interracial and Inter-faith relationships looked upon in the Hindu community and religiously?Good, but the other person has to convert to Hinduism.

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