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PREFACE
We are living in the real world, a world of technology and science, a world of communication and information, a world of media, a world of politicians and influential people, a world of real people and their struggle for existence, concern for the family, social life, their egoism, greed and struggle for power, possessions, money and fame. Most people are interested in mundane matters, pleasures and the apparent happiness obtained from material things. Because of their self-interest, people in general indulge in activities for short-term gain and do not worry about harm to other living beings, the environment, nature, their families, traditions or, ultimately, themselves. Modern education, ever increasing 'needs' in the name of a decent standard of living, a bombardment of sensational news, advertisements and information have changed the way people think. Except for a few, people have largely lost the values of their traditions, religion, spirituality, care for others and simple pleasures.
Discipline, respect and acceptance of the family values, teachings of the religion and of the educational institutions are in decline. Demographic changes, modern education, urbanisation, job and business opportunities, and the migration of many communities to the prosperous West have created a new situation. People come in contact with persons of different culture; make friendships and sometimes long lasting relations. The migrant younger generation are sandwiched between two cultures: culture of the West and the cultures of their own country; they come in contact with people of different cultures, fall in love and sometimes decide to have a intercultural or interfaith marriage without much preparation.
The aim of the publication is to give informed and contextualized information about marriage beliefs and customs in nine major world faiths, namely Baha'i, Buddhist, Christianity, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Judaism, Sikh and Zoroastrian, currently practised in Britain. The faiths are complex, dynamic and contain great diversity and traditions; this publication is only an introduction. All the faiths, their wedding ceremonies and rituals described in this book have a great variety of different ways of expressing their traditions. This is not a comprehensive account but a starting point and there is a great deal of material available on the internet and in detailed publications However to get the information involves a great deal of searching and sometimes one does not get what one wishes. This is a first attempt to provide information for couples about nine world faiths and their customs and beliefs about marriage.
We thanks all the contributors for their valuable time, assistant editors, Marilyn, Rajul Desai and others who have attended the meetings and made valuable suggestions. We also thank BBC and other media for referring their web pages and the useful publications on Families and marriage.
We are grateful to the 'Awards For All' for awarding the grant for this project and its publication. We also thank the trustees of the Jain Academy for their valuable support.
Natubhai Shah
22nd June 2010
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