prasad1
Active member
In the atmosphere prevailing in this site of intolerance and Hindutva, i wanted to show that there is a real world out there, where people live with compromises. It may not be for everyone. It is not for bigots, but practical rational people may find it interesting.
Growing up Baptist, J. Dana Trent heard plenty of warnings about interfaith romance. Marrying the wrong person — known as being “unequally yoked” — could ruin your faith and your marriage. But three years after marrying a former Hindu monk, Trent says she’s a better Christian than ever. “I had become complacent in my Christianity,” said Trent, an ordained Baptist minister. “Now my religion and spirituality have become much more integrated in my life.” Trent tells the story of her interfaith marriage in a new book “Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk.” Out this month from Nashville, Tenn.-based Fresh Air Books, “Saffron Cross” is part of a recent mini-boom of guides to interfaith marriage and family. There’s also “Mixed-Up Love” from Jon M. Sweeney and Michal Woll, “’Til Faith Do Us Part” from Naomi Schaefer Riley, and “Being Both,” by Susan Katz Miller.
Their joint worship includes offering food at the altar three times a day. That’s a duty that Trent takes care of. At first, she was uncomfortable with that. Now she says the altar helps her focus on spending time with Jesus in prayer. “God doesn’t need our food,” she said. “But God needs our time.” Eaker has adopted some of Trent’s spiritual habits as well. He was used to chanting God’s name during prayer. Now he joins her in saying grace at meals and in less formal prayer in the evenings. The next big challenge will likely come with children. For now, they are planning to raise children in both faiths, even though that may become complicated. “Children can never have enough love,” said Trent. “And children can never have enough God.”
Interfaith Marriage: Christian And Hindu Love Story Told In 'Saffron Cross'
Growing up Baptist, J. Dana Trent heard plenty of warnings about interfaith romance. Marrying the wrong person — known as being “unequally yoked” — could ruin your faith and your marriage. But three years after marrying a former Hindu monk, Trent says she’s a better Christian than ever. “I had become complacent in my Christianity,” said Trent, an ordained Baptist minister. “Now my religion and spirituality have become much more integrated in my life.” Trent tells the story of her interfaith marriage in a new book “Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk.” Out this month from Nashville, Tenn.-based Fresh Air Books, “Saffron Cross” is part of a recent mini-boom of guides to interfaith marriage and family. There’s also “Mixed-Up Love” from Jon M. Sweeney and Michal Woll, “’Til Faith Do Us Part” from Naomi Schaefer Riley, and “Being Both,” by Susan Katz Miller.
Their joint worship includes offering food at the altar three times a day. That’s a duty that Trent takes care of. At first, she was uncomfortable with that. Now she says the altar helps her focus on spending time with Jesus in prayer. “God doesn’t need our food,” she said. “But God needs our time.” Eaker has adopted some of Trent’s spiritual habits as well. He was used to chanting God’s name during prayer. Now he joins her in saying grace at meals and in less formal prayer in the evenings. The next big challenge will likely come with children. For now, they are planning to raise children in both faiths, even though that may become complicated. “Children can never have enough love,” said Trent. “And children can never have enough God.”
Interfaith Marriage: Christian And Hindu Love Story Told In 'Saffron Cross'