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Summary of Question:	Attending Wedding Of Christian Cousin???
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 12/23/2003 5:46 AM MST

I urgently need your advice. I am from a sikh family however some of my relatives have, in the past, converted to Christianity. My cousins are christians and have converted a sikh girl from India to marry their son (my cousin). The wedding is due to take place at the end of January 2004 and I completely oppose the idea of converting religions.

I feel reluctant to attend the ceremony in the church and would ask you for assistance. I am in two minds as this is the wedding of my first cousin and it would be seen as quite serious should i not attend, however I see my Guru's path above all and I dont feel my heart will allow me to go.
Please tell me is their any entity contained within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj which refers to such a situation. Please Help!

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REPLY
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Sat SIri Akaal. While Sikhi does not believe in evangelical conversion or forced conversion, other faiths do. Frankly, you cannot blame your cousin's family completely. If the bride in question -- or her family-- felt strongly about staying Sikh, she would have done so and not converted for the sake of marriage. The same for your cousins, too. Just because someone is born Sikh never, never, never MAKES them a Sikh. A Sikh is defined by what he or she does, not by birth. LIVING as a Sikh in thought and deed makes a Sikh.

So, attend this wedding. Go with an attitude of gratitude that Guru has not put you in your cousin's shoes. Go dressed as a Sikh, and be respectful in the Christian worship/marriage house. They are still, as you said, family.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK