Book: Interfaith Marriage – Share & Respect with Equality

These are some good words about the book — Interfaith Marriage: Share & Respect with Equality. For media coverage on the book, read here.

ARVIND KUMAR AKELA says: March 24, 2018
I highly recommend this book to everyone. First book of its kind. As we are growing in a global community that is closer than ever, it is the need of hour to understand how it can potentially impact everyone of us. By real examples,…

Y Patel says: March 18, 2018
Must read by all parents so they avoid many pit falls of the interfaith relationship.

Nileshwar says: March 5, 2018
Very practical guide to educate the youth of all faiths!

Surya says: March 1, 2018
Amazing work. It is a great work done with heart of a parent and intellect of a scientist. Very much needed. Thanks for your valuable contribution to address a need of community with your wonderful book which is very pertinent for all.

Amazon Customer: Feb 18, 2018. Good Book to read before you commit to any interfaith relationship. Instead of “Ghar wapsi” or “Love Jihad’ fight this is good message of equality.

P: Jan 6, 2018. Interesting!

IndiaFacts by Subhodeep Mukhopadhyay: It is an indispensable reading for aspiring interfaith couples and covers almost all conceivable aspects of inter-religious marriages.

Mahesh Patel: I recommend this book to be read by interfaith couple and both side family members. It will provide discussion points and clarification to avoid future conflict.

Fred Stella, President Interfaith Dialogue Association: I wholly recommend “Interfaith Marriage” (book) to any couple contemplating such a union, and to their parents as well.

Dr P.C.Jain: This is a wonderful book must be read by any one undergoing interfaith marriage.

Stephen Knapp: This book present a lot of very important information and real life studies on a very relevant topic–what happens in interfaith marriages. Dilip Amin does a very good job of letting anyone who is considering an interfaith marriage know what to expect, the challenges or dangers that are likely to be faced, and how to deal with it. I strongly advise anyone thinking of entering an interfaith marriage to read this book first. It could save you from many unpleasant circumstances.

Harijan: The Author has followed an open-minded approach to understanding the diversities of interfaith relations. He emphasizes honest understanding and realistic expectations for sharing both lives together with upbringing of children without any prejudice.

Raman Khanna: This book is an outstanding addition to any library on both child-rearing and “what to think about before marriage”….

Deepak Bhatt: Dr. Amin is NEITHER against any religion nor interfaith marriage but emphasizes on doing your HOMEWORK before making any final decision.

Pastor Connie Winter-Eulberg: As a Christian Pastor I really appreciate all of the work and experience that Dilip Amin has put into this book. This is a great resource for me and I highly recommend this book to any faith leader or counselor who works with couples who are from different faiths. This is what I have been looking for!

Ashley: As a woman in an interfaith marriage I really got a lot out of this book. Even though it’s aimed at young people and their parents as an advice book BEFORE marriage I found the personal stories enlightening and educational….

VMS: This book shows how an interfaith marriage can be harmonious, supported by poignant examples from many years of counseling. Not only a great tool, but also a good read.

By Aasiya Khan: First of its kind, this book explores the peculiar situation: a world where you’re free to marry a person of your choice but are stifled by the strictures created by irrational religious institutions and intolerant communities. The author has meticulously documented as how an individual willingly or unwillingly loses identity due to marriage with a person from other faith. It is just mind-blowing to learn that even in this modern world men and women hang on to every word of the Holy Book and force faith on partners who adhere to other religious beliefs. Incredible, informative and well-timed book.

By RJ: This is an interesting book. It will be useful when my children gets into an interfaith relationship. I like the “Meera versus Margaret: Discrimination of Own Type” article, very interesting!

The book back cover:

As a Christian Pastor I am always looking for resources that equip my ministry. The author has written a respectful and “tell it like it is” book that brings together information on a subject that breaks apart many families. This book is helpful, insightful and a gem for people working with couples from different faiths.
Pastor Connie Winter-Eulberg, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, San Mateo, CA

For two individuals who grow up in different religious belief systems, it can pose an impediment to marital bliss. As a wedding officiant who has performed many interfaith ceremonies, I find this book based on hundreds of actual cases, a MUST READ.
Deepak Kotwal, Author: Vivaha Samskara

In an era of maniacal slogan, ‘My Religion Is The Truest,’ this book strives for the Utopian, ‘All Faiths are Good and Equal’ philosophy. The book is a must-read for people who envision an egalitarian society in general and an eye-opener for couples who plan to enter an interfaith marriage in particular.
Hanah Khan, Author: The Faith Strings

“This book offers a guide to topics including conversion, dealing with in-laws, raising children in one or both faiths and sharing worship practices. Real people share the worries, challenges and joys that their interfaith relationships present and these are valuable contributions to a very useful book. If you are contemplating an interfaith marriage, this book is a must read.”
Deb Motto, Yoga Teacher

This book definitely helps any Jewish-Hindu (or any mix of faiths) couple ask the right questions as they prepare for a marriage of equality.
Richard Heiman, Past Board Member of the Jewish Community Relations Council

This book is a good resource for any one, especially college-aged, who may be getting serious with a date-mate from a different faith.
Sona Kaur, a Sikh-Hindu student at University of California, Davis

The book
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Read first 37 pages of the book free, click “Look Inside”
About author
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Return to InterfaithShaadi.org. To share your experience, read.

16 Comments

  • Ramesh
    December 26, 2019 8:25 pm

    RAMESHDecember 26, 2019 1:56 am (Source: https://interfaithshaadi.org/hindu-girl-eloped-muslim/)

    Dear Admin,
    I read the book “Interfaith Marriage: Share and Respect with Equality “. It has such an eye opening information.

    Diversity and Inclusion is all around us. When it extends to building serious interfaith relationships a guidebook such as this becomes invaluable.

    It is a must read for all couples contemplating interfaith weddings, especially when one partner is from the Hindu or Dharmic tradition. This book should be read BEFORE starting the relationship in order to ensure a successful marraige because it encourages them to become aware of important aspects involved in faith so that they are understood, discussed, and agreed upon

    The book highlights both philosophical tenants and practical aspects of customs followed by the most popular faiths. It covers a wide range of issues and dives into the details of their implications. The book is well organized into chapters and sections so as offer quick reference to topics of interest. It is peppered with quotes to draw attention to key concepts

    This companion website serves as an extension for real life discussions and updates. Thanks for putting together all relevant information in one place in an easy to understand format

  • March 3, 2019 9:37 pm

    Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35522841-interfaith-marriage (Sept 22, 2018)

    Jowie rated it liked it
    BOOK REVIEW: Interfaith Marriage by Dilip Amin, Ph.D.
    Synopsis: A guide to interfaith marriages between Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. Complete with detailed discussion points for discussion with a potential spouse, in-laws, and immediate family about the religious boundaries of each individual in the marriage. Complete with explanations of the intersections of different faith combinations and testimonials.
    Disclaimer: I am not in the faith groups and do not have the same family dynamics as listed in this book.
    Title: Interfaith Marriage
    Author: Dilip Amin, Ph.D.
    Published by: Mount Meru Publishing
    Genres: Self Help, Marriage Guide
    Pages: 305
    Format: Test
    Rating: 5/10
    Review:

    Finding where love and faith intersect, Interfaith Marriage by Dilip Amin, Ph.D. provides a guide to weathering the difficult conversation of religion in marriage before marriage. Aimed at Hindu, Muslims, and Christians in interfaith relationships who are struggling to have important conversations about the role faith will play in their married lives and the lives of their extended families. With great care and respect the author examines each faith, where various faiths intersect, and what difficult conversations must occur prior to marriage. Underlining the dynamics of stances on faith as time progresses, the author paints a realistic image of religions role in married life and the pressures from the extended families to conform to religious norms. This guide to understanding , conversating, and establishing guidelines about faith prior to marriage is practical and informative.

    While this book is practical and informative for individuals and their families involved in interfaith relationships this guide is more useful for individuals in the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities. The author focuses on the family dynamics and expectations that exist in these faith communities, as well as the unique differences and challenges within these communities. As a person who is not a part of these communities there was little extractable information that went beyond other texts within the same genera. If you are Hindu, or an individual whose faith worships many gods, in a relationship with a Christian or Muslim, an individual whose faith worships one god, then you should purchase this book immediately. The author provides in depth insights into the interworking’s of each faith, how to make compromises, and how to speak to the parents of the couple. However, if you are not in these groups this book does not provide more information about navigating interfaith relationships than other books of the same genera.

  • March 24, 2018 12:42 pm

    I highly recommend this book to everyone. First book of its kind. As we are growing in a global community that is closer than ever, it is the need of hour to understand how it can potentially impact everyone of us. By real examples, the author presents the cases in its entirety that gives us a preview of our possible future that any of us could go through. Having a good understanding of interfaith marriages and it’s possible outcome can help us handle the situation better. A great book an MUST READ.

  • March 18, 2018 12:35 pm

    Must read by all parents so they avoid many pit falls of the interfaith relationship. Formatting of the book could have been better. Nonetheless the experience shared by author fromreal world examples is precious.

  • March 5, 2018 12:37 pm

    Very practical guide to educate the youth of all faiths!

  • March 1, 2018 12:38 pm

    Amazing work. It is a great work done with heart of a parent and intellect of a scientist. Very much needed. Thanks for your valuable contribution to address a need of community with your wonderful book which is very pertinent for all.

  • Fred Stella
    September 19, 2017 12:29 pm

    As one who has been active in the interfaith arena for over 20 years I can attest to the challenges that families face when couples of different traditions announce their intention to wed. It makes sense that when parents anticipate their future they envision a time when their grown children and growing grandchildren all practice, celebrate and share the rituals of the same religion. As the world gets smaller the chances that Son or Daughter will fall in love with someone who will force parents to readjust their expectations in that department. And as we as a people become more enlightened the options of protesting, or worse, shunning seem quite barbaric.

    So how can deeply pious parents of any religion deal with such a situation? Thankfully, Dr. Dilip Amin has, literally, written the textbook on the subject. His appropriately titled Interfaith Marriage can serve as an honest guide over what may appear at 1st to be rather rough waters.

    When people hear the word “interfaith” they often conjure up pictures of throngs of people of differing spiritualities rejoicing in their humanity, claiming that “all paths are the same.” While it is true that this element does exist it is much more complex. There are plenty of issues that separate us; and the issues that do should not be glossed over. No, as acclaimed author and theologian Stephen Prothero says, “God is not One.” Well, perhaps He/She/It is, but we certainly have a wide variety of conceptions of the Deity. It is in this spirit that Dr. Amin offers his research and advice.

    While much of the focus of the book is on pairings with Hindus and others(Muslim-Hindu, Jewish-Hindu, etc.), there is research and counseling on other unions as well, such as Christian-Muslim. To be clear, Dr. Amin does not offer magic formulae for storybook endings here. He would agree with most sociologists who have hard data that indicates marrying someone of your own faith increases the chances of success. The author certainly does not encourage interfaith marriage. He simply accepts it as a fact of life in our modern world. And while not attempting to degrade or insult any religion he is very honest about the very significant challenges that marrying into certain traditions brings. This is especially true when a person of a Dharmic faith marries another who is Abrahamic. Since Asian religions are universally inclusive (the practice of any faith can bring one to Divinity) and all but the most liberal expressions of Abrahamic religions are exclusive (there is only one way to reach God) It can be require more effort for the Buddhist or Sikh who marries a Christian or Muslim. I applaud Dilip for not pulling any punches here.

    I wholly recommend Interfaith Marriage to any couple contemplating such a union, and to their parents as well.

    -Fred Stella, President
    Interfaith Dialogue Association
    http://www.interfaithdialogueassociation.org

  • September 5, 2017 12:36 pm

    Good book.

  • Dr P.C.Jain
    August 29, 2017 1:02 pm

    I have almost completely reading your book the “Interfaith Marriage”. It is a wonderful book must be read by any one undergoing interfaith marriage. As a De addiction doctor I have to advise & Counsel the patients so also you have given your frank & judicious advise to all who asked you.
    I wish every successes in your this awareness campaign.
    with regards
    Dr.P.C.Jain M.B.B.S.
    Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

  • Ashley
    August 25, 2017 1:31 pm

    Ashley: As a woman in an interfaith marriage I really got a lot out of this book. Even though it’s aimed at young people and their parents as an advice book BEFORE marriage I found the personal stories enlightening and educational. The author offers their own perspective but also allows room for comments by people who have disagreed with him, in order to give a balanced view and I really appreciated that. I think this is definitely an important read for anyone considering entering into an interfaith marriage. Marriage is a challenge, even if it seems like it’s made in heaven. People coming from vastly different faiths need to address these issues early on and not be afraid of the answers they uncover. It’s so important to communicate, and this book helps readers think about issues they might not have considered, or maybe didn’t know how to address. The book may feel repetitive at the very beginning, but it is easy to read and the author provides a plethora of footnotes and references for further reading.

  • Manavji Harijan
    August 25, 2017 1:25 pm

    Manavji Harijanon August 24, 2017
    Source: Amazon

    This book is an invaluable source of insights and information for everyone involved with emotional relations with persons of different faiths. The author has compiled real life experiences of many individuals at different stages of friendships or loving relations starting with casual contacts which may culminate into marriage often with unforeseen issues and complexities. The Author has followed an open-minded approach to understanding the diversities of interfaith relations. He emphasizes honest understanding and realistic expectations for sharing both lives together with upbringing of children without any prejudice. The book is also a good resource of information for the close family and friends of those in interfaith relations. The key messages from the book are: Look before you leap, Unconditional love all through the life, and An open-minded approach with respect for diverse faiths and cultures.

  • Raman Khanna
    August 16, 2017 10:32 am

    Cross posted from Amazon:

    This book is an outstanding addition to any library on both child-rearing and “what to think about before marriage.” It is written for a large audience but its primary focus is on those from Dharmic traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism) who may themselves be considering, or whose children or loved ones may be considering, marriage to a partner who is Christian, Muslim, or Jewish.

    This is a timeless issue for those in Dharmic traditions: when we have been raised, and are raising our children to believe, ekam sat vipraha bahuda vadanti (the truth is one, the wise call it by many names), how then can we counsel ourselves or our children to marry out of the faith, while still understanding that the person we are marrying may not share that value and in fact may use it (or be pressured into using it) to jettison the Dharmic faith? (“Well, if my faith says I’m right, and you’re wrong; and your faith says you’re right, and I’m right too–why not stick with the sure thing that both say is right?”)

    The author leverages his impressive experience in the interfaith and interfaith marriage space (and the website he runs to provide counseling on these issues) to breathe life and practicality into this space. His position is neither for nor against IF marriage but rather suggests tools, backed up with numerous examples and cautionary tales, about assuming love will solve all problems.

    One such tip: don’t agree to a baptism/bris/shahada for yourself unless you have actually become convinced of the superiority of the religion you are converting into (e.g. not for the sake of your future partner); don’t agree to any of these for your children, either, until they are old enough to decide for themselves if they want these things. These may seem like simple or even obvious suggestions, but as anyone who has spent time in a Dharmic community knows, they are far more productive advice than the all-too-common responses of shock, stewing in anger, or disowning the newlyweds. 2nd gen’ers in particular will find that his perspective and examples resonate.

    In addition to the above, I found the work replete with real-world implications and with a comparison/understanding even of laws in other countries regarding what conversion means for one’s future. The one criticism of the book is that the examples do go on and on and can feel repetitive; but on further reflection, this is actually helpful in showing the extent to which the same issues come up again and again and likely will, until we approach this subject with more thoughtfulness and perspective as the author has done here.

    • August 17, 2017 5:49 pm

      Very interesting way of putting the facts, “if my faith says I’m right, and you’re wrong; and your faith says you’re right, and I’m right too–why not stick with the sure thing that both say is right?”It is high time Muslims should be taught pluralism (equality rather than intolerance) in marriage.

  • Arun Kankani
    August 12, 2017 5:03 pm

    Namaste Dilipji,
    I was able to attend your event in Houston last month and have read the book.

    Appreciate your passionate efforts and perseverance for an important and worthy cause.

  • Deepak Bhatt
    July 31, 2017 3:23 pm

    I read the book before I attended Dr. Amin’s seminar in Houston on July 29, 2017. I was very impressed by the book as well as his seminar. In any interfaith marriage, faith becomes an important topic at some point in life. Consequently, it is important to know the facts in advance. Dr. Amin has summarized canons of faiths in a table form very precisely so anyone can understand what each faith is without reading its holy book thoroughly. In fact, if someone tries to that he will be more confused. Another important thing is that it has statistics. Many times people talk about exceptions and do not know what is common.

    Dr. Amin is NEITHER against any religion nor interfaith marriage but emphasizes on doing your HOMEWORK before making any final decision. He wants your mind and heart synchronized before jumping to a conclusion and also wants to make you aware of what other circumstances (expectations and reactions of family members. society, etc.) a couple has to face before and after the marriage. It is better to be an informed person to avoid any regrets later because of ignorance. The real gold mine of the book is case studies of what happened actually and how someone can take advantage of it without reinventing a wheel.

    I think marriage is a very important milestone in anyone’s life and let us provide enough ingredients to make it a successful and joyous event not only for you but also for your loved ones. I strongly recommend this book for discussion in youth groups, worship centers as well in adult groups. I would like to convey my thanks to Dr. Amin for becoming a counsellor to hundreds of persons looking for guidance.

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