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Summary of Question:	Interracial Marriage
Category:	Love & Marriage
Date Posted:	Monday, 6/24/2002 11:57 AM MDT

SSA

I have looked everywhere for clarification on this. I was born into a conservative Sikh family. For a while, I stopped going to the Gurudwara while I searched for my own path to God and did not want to be a hypocrite. After many years and researching a lot of faiths, Sikhism was the right one for me. Now I have met someone who believes in Sikism as much as I do (he did the same thing but a few years late) and we would like to be married. The biggest issue is that he was previously married and has children and he is also non-Indian. Please give some guidance in reference to the Guru Granth Sahib that will convince my parents. We don't want to disrespect my parents so any help from GGS will help in our case. Thanks
(REPLY) Well, Guru Nanak said there is no Hindu, there is no Muslim. The basic teachings of the Sikh religion (despite outdated, antiquated cultural bias to the contrary) is that all people are equal in the eyes of God, and that no one should be discrimiated against because of color, caste, race or religion. What more argument can there be? Possibly some scholars can find you more specific references. The important thing in a marriage is that the couple share the same values and aspirations. And, since both of you are on the same path (and if you are adults, I presume, over the age of 21) then I would hope that your parents will respect your decision. A question, and perhaps a word of caution, however, regarding his children -- be sure that you can relate to them, and they to you positively -- for he has a life-long responsibility toward them, and you have to be willing to honor that. I wish you well! May God and Guru bless you. SP