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Summary of Question:	Inter Racial Dating
Category:	Love & Marriage
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 6/12/2002 9:13 PM MDT

Sat Sri Akal,

I was wondering, I am and have been interested in guys ( not intentionally) who are Hindu's but they are punjabi and go to gurdwara also. My question is I am and will always be a Sikh cause i love Guru's teachings and will not change. Neither is anyone asking me to, but is it wrong to be with a hindu, my mom is having a hard time just to even think about it, but don't all religion have a same goal , also will it be wrong to get married in a mandhir, read the Geeta..i feel it is right but who knows...insights?

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Sat Siri Akal.

First, as a Sikh, it is perfectly fine to read sacred texts from other religions. There is nothing wrong with reading the Geeta. It's just that a Sikh recognizes that the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is her spirtual guide in this life and nothing comes above or before the guidance of Gurbani. So other texts are studied in the light of what the Guru teaches.

Relationships and marriages have many challenges. It isn't a question of "right" or "wrong." It's a question of commitment and dedication. Many people have successful marriages where each partner practices a different religion. It can sometimes be difficult work, but as long as the respect is there-it is possible for those marriages to be happy. What's important is that you and your potential spouse have very clear understanding going into the marriage about how you are going to raise the children, and also that you have a tremendus amount of tolerance for the other religion. Also-that you have excellent communication.

The fact is-even if two people who call themselves Sikhs marry-sometimes, there is tremendous difficulty if the two people have different levels of commitment to their own religion. So-the issue isn't about which religion a person belongs to, but the type and level of commitment to that religion and whether or not the two commitments can work together in a complimentary way.

I wish you all the best, and know that Guru is guiding your every step.

Sincerely,

GPK