Religion

How important is religion in todays society? Hundreds of years ago people never converted for marriage. There was no such thing. You simply could not marry outside of your religion. In most case outside of your ethnicity either. It was shunned upon. Today we have Christians converting to Islam, Jewish etc..or even vice versa. But, in most families it is still not accepted. If you were not born into a certain religion then you are not truly a Christian, Muslim etc.

So, my question is. Is religion any different from race? There are families today that do not allow marriage outside of their own ethnicity, or even race. That is a form of discrimination. Is not allowing marriage outside your own religion considered discrimination or even racism?

As a Christian myself, I am a frim believer in my faith and do understand that ultimately if it may happen, that one will marry someone with the same beliefs. Yet, I think, if you can befriend someone of another religion, why can't you marry them as well. (I answer my own questions..as you can see I am in a dilemna with myself).

Of course there is always the politics behind it. Families may clash, and communities may be outraged, but in the end of the day...The point is love does not have a color, race, ethnicity, or religion. So are we to deny ourselves the possibility of ultimate happiness, whatever that may be, by denying ourselves the opportunity?

And, are we losing ourselves and our history as we move forward in the 21st century, inter-marrying with hundreds of people from all over the world? Is this progression good or bad? These questions have no definite answer but it is definitely something to think about.

Just a thought.

This blog has been inspried by recent events and situations of a friend.