Jain Spirit 2005 09 No23

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 60

YOUTH
Most of us have an idea about our faith and we all like to think we know about love. So how do the two fit together? How do you mix romance, faith and marriage? And what happens if you mix different faiths within these already complicated relationships?! AMI NASH AND PRACHI AJMERA asked 5 young people from different religious backgrounds to describe their views on love in the 21st century. Read on to see what they said...
Emilia Czarkowska. Email: emilia@creativsurgery.com Illustrations
Hanaan Sabahat, 18
Rachel Shirian, 18 Judaism
1) IN WHAT FAITH HAVE YOU BEEN BROUGHT UP?
I
Islam
2) DOES YOUR RELIGION HAVE GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS REGARDING RELATIONSHIPS OR MARRIAGE?
We are not allowed to have boyfriends or girlfriends, and arranged marriages are very common. There is not a lot of "free will'.
Traditional Judaism does not permit interfaith marriages.
3) WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY VALUE MOST IN A RELATIONSHIP?
Trust and honesty. A relationship lacking trust will not last.
Intimacy and affection, but there also has to be a connection with emotions and personality.
4) HOW DO YOU, PERSONALLY, DEFINE LOVE?
Love cannot really be defined. Everyone's definition and way of feeling is different.
Love is where you care about the other person so much, that if they are hurt, it hurts you also. They are a part of you and they complete you.
5) WHY (OR WHY NOT) WOULD YOU DATE OUTSIDE YOUR RELIGION?
It is a possibility but I would first want to see the differences in the ways our minds work. She may have grown up differently, have a different viewpoint or lifestyle.
I don't care what religion a person practises as long as they love me. Their personal beliefs are their own and that wouldn't affect me.
6) WHY (OR WHY NOT) WOULD YOU MARRY OUTSIDE YOUR RELIGION?
I wouldn't marry outside my religion because I have always been brought up to marry someone Muslim. If I have kids, I want them to have the same religion that I have grown up with and if I marry someone outside my faith that might not happen.
I would marry outside my religion. Love has no barriers. If you have strong bonds, different religions shouldn't deter you. Religion isn't an obstacle.
7) DO YOU BELIEVE IN INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIPS AS A WAY TO BRING ABOUT RACIAL TOLERANCE? WHY OR WHY NOT?
By seeing people in interracial relationships, people will see everyone is the same on some level. It will end a lot of problems in society. People can learn and grow, and they won't be pulled back by tradition. Things will begin to change.
Yes, I do. When people see others in interracial relationships, they will begin to see that it isn't abnormal. It will take away discrimination in our society. People will see that one person's values aren't any less valuable than another person's.
were
Vain Education International