Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Marriage In A Different Religion
Category:	Love & Marriage
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 7/03/2002 1:31 PM MDT

Sat Sri akal,I am married to a clean shaved guy who believes in Radhaswami.I have twin sons of age 13.After marriage I realized that its very difficult to live with a person with different religion.I have very much faith in sikhism.My kids wear turbuns.My brother in law always tell my kids that they don't look good in tubuns and better to cut your hair. No one like my gurudwara sahib visits and wants me to go for satsangs with them. Slowly slowly I am loosing interest in married life. Please advice me.

Thanks

(REPLY) Although we Sikhs respect all other religions, we don't always get the same respect in return. As you know, in our Ardas, it asks for the gift of hair, and remembers with great admiration ("say Wahe Guru!") those who gave their scalps rather than give up their hair! Before you married, surely your husband knew your beliefs, and must have led you to believe that he respected them? If that is the case, then you need to tell him to inform his brother to stop interfering with your faith, and interfering with the values you are giving to your Sikh sons. If you wish to go to other religious gatherings, you are free to do so, as long as nothing involves your bowing to any man. But no one has the right to prevent you from going to Gurdwara, nor from taking your sons. Sikh women in our history have been famous for their courage and their faith that never wavered. In a marriage, it is usually wise for a woman not to argue about minor things, but in this case, your convictions as a Sikh take precedence over anything else, and you should make that clear to your husband and your brother-in0-law. Make sure that you are educating your sons about the history and the virtues and values of Sikh Dharma -- the righeous way of life that you have been blessed to follow. May God and Guru bless you and guide you with the wisdom and courage to keep your precious identity as a Sikh. SP