Hindu man that I love

[Ramona]

Hey again, everyone.

I'm trying to be a righteous person about the entire situation but can't help but feel a little...stuck in the mud. I went to a Unitarian service earlier tonight and told them about how upset and confused I was about this and other things that are coming together in my life at an undesirable time...but I left early so I didn't get any reactions to any of my issues that I presented.

This anxiety is really eating me alive. But he and I will be going to class and gettin' breakfast tomorrow morning, so maybe we can get some of this stuff out of the way.

I'll keep ya posted.

All my love.

 

[srev2004]

Hey again, everyone.

I'm trying to be a righteous person about the entire situation but can't help but feel a little...stuck in the mud. I went to a Unitarian service earlier tonight and told them about how upset and confused I was about this and other things that are coming together in my life at an undesirable time...but I left early so I didn't get any reactions to any of my issues that I presented.

This anxiety is really eating me alive. But he and I will be going to class and gettin' breakfast tomorrow morning, so maybe we can get some of this stuff out of the way.

I'll keep ya posted.

All my love.

Just do what your heart tells you when you are around him. Don't over analyze it. My only real advice to you.

 

[sefroth77]

Greetings, everyone!

I wasn't sure where to put this post, but I figured that since it involves interreligious love, it should go here.

There's a man that I love who goes to uni with me, a man with whom I am not yet in love but do love as a person, a man that I love wholeheartedly. I am a born-again Christian, and he is a hardcore Hindu.

We randomly started talking about the Bhagavad Gita one day, which led to talk about religion, which led to talk about pluralism (him) vs. inclusivism (me) vs. exclusivism (most born-again Christians). I felt connected to him then, and the feeling has stayed.

This is the problem: I am told that my religion forbids me from pursuing anything. They call it being "unequally yoked." I am told that I need to ignore my feelings for him and just forget about it. As one evangelist explained to me, "Your father is God, and the father of other religions is Satan." He then went on to talk about the fact that I can't expect a relationship to work when one party worships the devil.

Well, I cannot accept this. After reading Hindu scripture, I have reason to believe that Krishna is not Satan, but rather a divine idea of what God must be like. The fact that Krishna is not real to me does not mean that he is, in fact, the devil.

I'm in a bind. I mean, why do we bother condemning, anyway. Christ commands us not to condemn others, because God will be as hard on us as we were on other people. How can a true fundamentalist Christian condemn the one I love to Hell?

Is it bad for me to want to pursue something with this man? Is it wrong to love him? Is this immoral? Why or why not?

Thanks in advance for your help, guys.

All my love,
Mumbai

Lord Krishna is Almighty God according to the Bhagavad Gita the timeless wisdom of Ancient India. A God that allows people to have desires. Some desire to worship other beings or gods.

As soon as one desires to worship some demigod, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity.” (Bhagavad-Gita, 7:21).

Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.” (Bhagavad-Gita, 7:22),

This kind of verses you can never find in Christianity or Islam. Krishna is truly a God with the highest perfection, he respects people who desire to worship others.


“He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, in both their happiness and their distress, O Arjuna!” (Bhagavad-Gita, 6:32).

Lord Krishna teaches that a person should see the equality in all beings regradless or race,religions and even a step further which includes animals. When everyman sees this, he will be a gentle human-being to mother Earth.

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.(Bhagavad Gita 18.66)

Krishna is telling his children(us) not fear him, while in some religions like Islam, God demands that people fear him and those followers are treated llike slaves.

Compassionate Krishna says: I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.(Bhagavad Gita 9.29)

God Almighty is so humble to the highest degree that he says he is equal to all and yet still very powerful. This is God. One can actually feel the love in it. This verse is also one of the reason why i left Islam.


Thanks for reading
Hare Krishna

 

[srev2004]

Lord Krishna is Almighty God according to the Bhagavad Gita the timeless wisdom of Ancient India. A God that allows people to have desires. Some desire to worship other beings or gods.

As soon as one desires to worship some demigod, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity.” (Bhagavad-Gita, 7:21).

Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.” (Bhagavad-Gita, 7:22),

This kind of verses you can never find in Christianity or Islam. Krishna is truly a God with the highest perfection, he respects people who desire to worship others.


“He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, in both their happiness and their distress, O Arjuna!” (Bhagavad-Gita, 6:32).

Lord Krishna teaches that a person should see the equality in all beings regradless or race,religions and even a step further which includes animals. When everyman sees this, he will be a gentle human-being to mother Earth.

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.(Bhagavad Gita 18.66)

Krishna is telling his children(us) not fear him, while in some religions like Islam, God demands that people fear him and those followers are treated llike slaves.

Compassionate Krishna says: I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.(Bhagavad Gita 9.29)

God Almighty is so humble to the highest degree that he says he is equal to all and yet still very powerful. This is God. One can actually feel the love in it. This verse is also one of the reason why i left Islam.


Thanks for reading
Hare Krishna

Krishna is irrelevant because she is a Christian. She just wants reassurance she is doing the right thing. What you said is very counter productive? Based on what she's worrying about she is very religious. In my opinion that was very insensitive to say to change the topic. Personally I advice her to keep religion personal it will solve all her problems.

Namaste.

 

[arunma]

Mumbai, out of curiosity when you say Namaste, what do you mean? Because I was always taught as a Christian that it wasn't really correct to say that.

There's nothing theologically wrong with saying "Namaste," so long as the focus is on Christ and not the false idols of Hinduism. Modern American Christianity already contains many cultural elements that don't come from the Scriptures. The same is true of Christianity in all places of the world. In fact, I would strongly encourage this practice, because it affirms that all things (including the greetings of cultures foreign to our own) were created through Christ and for Christ.

 

[arunma]

Mumbai, out of curiosity when you say Namaste, what do you mean? Because I was always taught as a Christian that it wasn't really correct to say that.

G'day mates,

I spoke with an older born-again friend, and she told me that it's basically OK to date a Hindu man provided that:

1.) Jesus Christ is still the center of my life,
2.) I tell my friend about Jesus, and
3.) If he refuses to accept Christ, I do not marry him.

Well, being two 18-year-old college froshies, I'd say that marriage is pretty much out of the question as it stands. However, 'tis true, we never know what may progress. Arunma, I am worried about my spiritual well-being as well as my emotional health, and I don't know what to do about it. There's a lot of anxiety surrounding me right now as is, and these feelings certainly don't help at all.

All I can do is put my trust in Jesus that He knows what's best for me....and "surrendering my faith" is out of the question.

That certainly doesn't seem like bad advice. After all, if he becomes a Christian, then there really is no longer any reason to not have a relationship with him. But I would remind you that the Bible tells us not to be bound to unbelievers. Even in a premarital relationship (such as dating or courtship), a certain emotional attachment builds. And if you build that emotional attachment with an unbeliever, it can be spiritually harmful. After all, how can we pray "and lead us not into temptation," when we have already plunged headlong into it? I want you to know that I have prayed that God would make his will (whatever it may be) known to you, so that you can do it.

Consider this also. In a relationship, it is not ideal that each person should retain their faith, but that both persons should be believers in Christ. After all, the ultimate end of a romantic relationship is marriage, and religion can become an important issue. For example, would you have your home desecrated with Hindu idols? As it says,

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:16-22)
​

Furthermore, would you raise your children as believers in Christ, and heirs to the covenants of grace? Or would they be subjected to a life of idol worship? I realize that being a college freshman, marriage is a long way off for you, and children are even further away. But again, a relationship can have consequences, both good and bad, long into the future. Therefore, I think it is important to carefuly and prayerfully consider this.

Now Hal, I realize that it is difficult to discern the will of God from the conflicting posts here. If I may be so bold, I would like to invite you to post your question on the Baptist forum, so that you can discuss the issue with fellow believers. Everyone there is quite friendly, and there are many spiritually mature believers who would be able to offer helpful advice to you. Please feel free to post a thread there, if you wish.

 

[SarcasmDispenser]

There's nothing theologically wrong with saying "Namaste," so long as the focus is on Christ and not the false idols of Hinduism. Modern American Christianity already contains many cultural elements that don't come from the Scriptures. The same is true of Christianity in all places of the world. In fact, I would strongly encourage this practice, because it affirms that all things (including the greetings of cultures foreign to our own) were created through Christ and for Christ.

I always thought that Christianity taught that nobody had anything divine in them until they accepted Christ?

 

[arunma]

I always thought that Christianity taught that nobody had anything divine in them until they accepted Christ?

All human beings are created in the image of God. Of course it is true that only those who are in Christ Jesus have the indwelt Holy Spirit of God. So if your conscience dictates, then perhaps you may only wish to use this phrase with other Christians. I only wished to point out that it would be incorrect to reject the use of the word in question as a "pagan custom."

 

[srev2004]

I always thought that Christianity taught that nobody had anything divine in them until they accepted Christ?

Maybe there is more than one way to Accept Christ? Maybe you are restricting yourself to material acceptance. What about spiritual acceptance, if you follow in his footsteps unknowningly, can a man not accept him indirectly? Can a man accept what Christ represents? Can a Christian not knowingly accept Hindu ways? My point being labeling certain behaviours only alienates people. Everyone should look at the bigger picture, what is that individual doing that is against Christ and what he represents?

Is he advocating violence? Is he preaching evil? The answer is no, I don't understand why it's such a problem to associate with people likewise?

The fault I see in you Arunma, is you use Material labels to alienate Spiritual feelings. There is a big difference in your interpretation of Christian doctrine and mine. I can see smooth sailing and you see the storm. The question you should ask yourself is does a being have to materially declare they accept the divinity in Christ, or do they have to follow in his footsteps knowingly or unknowingly. P.S. Your answer will be different than mine and thus we have opposing views.

I know your perspective though, there is no need to debate it. Let's just agree to disagree

 

[arunma]

Maybe there is more than one way to Accept Christ? Maybe you are restricting yourself to material acceptance.

There is no such concept of "material acceptance" of Christ. I'm not sure what you mean by use of the word "material."

What about spiritual acceptance, if you follow in his footsteps unknowningly, can a man not accept him indirectly?

No, this is not possible.

Can a man accept what Christ represents?

Yes. But salvation only comes by faith in Christ. Salvation does not come by acceptance of what Christ represents.

Can a Christian not knowingly accept Hindu ways?

A Christian is certainly capable of this. It is permissible to accept whatever is godly in Hinduism. But it is not permissible to be a partaker with Hindus in idolatrous practices.

My point being labeling certain behaviours only alienates people. Everyone should look at the bigger picture, what is that individual doing that is against Christ and what he represents?

More than alienation, the Word of God divides people, and it ought to be so. One cannot straddle the fence. You cannot serve Christ and Krishna at the same time.

Is he advocating violence? Is he preaching evil? The answer is no, I don't understand why it's such a problem to associate with people likewise?

The problem is not with associating with Hindus, but with dating or marrying them.

 

[srev2004]

There is no such concept of "material acceptance" of Christ. I'm not sure what you mean by use of the word "material."

No, this is not possible.

Yes. But salvation only comes by faith in Christ. Salvation does not come by acceptance of what Christ represents.

A Christian is certainly capable of this. It is permissible to accept whatever is godly in Hinduism. But it is not permissible to be a partaker with Hindus in idolatrous practices.

More than alienation, the Word of God divides people, and it ought to be so. One cannot straddle the fence. You cannot serve Christ and Krishna at the same time.

The problem is not with associating with Hindus, but with dating or marrying them.

All I am saying is some people view the world different than you. And through my perspective there is nothing wrong with it. I remember asking you that question in the previous post, and our answers are different. Hence we hold different beliefs. There is nothing wrong in this.

I'll leave you with one question. When & How does an individual accept Christ?

 

[arunma]

All I am saying is some people view the world different than you. And through my perspective there is nothing wrong with it. I remember asking you that question in the previous post, and our answers are different. Hence we hold different beliefs. There is nothing wrong in this.

But there is. It is not OK to hold different beliefs, because two mutually contradictory beliefs cannot be simultaneously true. We're not talking about our preference for ice cream flavor here, but about whether or not Christ is Savior, to the exclusion of all other gods (including Hindu gods). Because of the exclusivity of my assertion, we cannot both be right. So we can see then that this is not a matter on which we can simply agree to have different preferences. At least one of us is wrong, but our beliefs cannot both be true.

I'll leave you with one question. When & How does an individual accept Christ?

An individual accepts Christ by trusting in him as the Son of God for salvation from sin and death, and by doing what Christ and his Apostles have taught.

 

[Exegete12]

That certainly doesn't seem like bad advice. After all, if he becomes a Christian, then there really is no longer any reason to not have a relationship with him. But I would remind you that the Bible tells us not to be bound to unbelievers. Even in a premarital relationship (such as dating or courtship), a certain emotional attachment builds. And if you build that emotional attachment with an unbeliever, it can be spiritually harmful. After all, how can we pray "and lead us not into temptation," when we have already plunged headlong into it? I want you to know that I have prayed that God would make his will (whatever it may be) known to you, so that you can do it.

Consider this also. In a relationship, it is not ideal that each person should retain their faith, but that both persons should be believers in Christ. After all, the ultimate end of a romantic relationship is marriage, and religion can become an important issue. For example, would you have your home desecrated with Hindu idols? As it says,

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:16-22)
​

Furthermore, would you raise your children as believers in Christ, and heirs to the covenants of grace? Or would they be subjected to a life of idol worship? I realize that being a college freshman, marriage is a long way off for you, and children are even further away. But again, a relationship can have consequences, both good and bad, long into the future. Therefore, I think it is important to carefuly and prayerfully consider this.

Now Hal, I realize that it is difficult to discern the will of God from the conflicting posts here. If I may be so bold, I would like to invite you to post your question on the Baptist forum, so that you can discuss the issue with fellow believers. Everyone there is quite friendly, and there are many spiritually mature believers who would be able to offer helpful advice to you. Please feel free to post a thread there, if you wish.

I agree wholeheartedly with Arunma, if you are a 'born again' Christian, why have counsel with unbelievers?

Why would satan try and beguile you so?

 

[Exegete12]

If he is hard into hinduism, I would not encourage you to seek this relationship. If he is keen on you he will change, women don't realise the power they can hold over men, and they (i.e. women) tend to acquiese first for the sake of peace, or if they have low self esteem, will convert to their boyfriends religion.

I'm in two minds about dating unbelievers. If they are secular, that is without religious bent so to speak, they are more likely to be pliable to the gospel. But if they are 'religious' then they are not likely to be pliable to the gospel. You say he is hard into hindusim, therefore ditch him now and don't pursue an ungodly alliance. The misery now will be ten fold later on.

 

[srev2004]

I can't believe everyone here chooses religious affiliation over love! What true religion forbids love!....

 

[arunma]

If he is hard into hinduism, I would not encourage you to seek this relationship. If he is keen on you he will change, women don't realise the power they can hold over men, and they (i.e. women) tend to acquiese first for the sake of peace, or if they have low self esteem, will convert to their boyfriends religion.

I'm in two minds about dating unbelievers. If they are secular, that is without religious bent so to speak, they are more likely to be pliable to the gospel. But if they are 'religious' then they are not likely to be pliable to the gospel. You say he is hard into hindusim, therefore ditch him now and don't pursue an ungodly alliance. The misery now will be ten fold later on.

And I likewise concur with Sister Hannah. Only through Christ can a now happy relationship continue into the future, and into eternity. Such a thing may seem attractive now, but there are many lasting effects to consider.

Now, certainly you could remain friends with this person. Indeed, it is often through friendships that we share the Gospel with others. But the words of God are true concerning unequal yoking with unbelievers (as God's words are in all matters).

 

[arunma]

I can't believe everyone here chooses religious affiliation over love! What true religion forbids love!....

I'm not sure what else you expected. Of course God is more important to us than romance. Even your Hinduism teaches that.

 

[AnarKiss]

But there is. It is not OK to hold different beliefs, because two mutually contradictory beliefs cannot be simultaneously true. We're not talking about our preference for ice cream flavor here, but about whether or not Christ is Savior, to the exclusion of all other gods (including Hindu gods). Because of the exclusivity of my assertion, we cannot both be right. So we can see then that this is not a matter on which we can simply agree to have different preferences. At least one of us is wrong, but our beliefs cannot both be true.

In the end though - they are only beliefs. And any beliefs regarding 'God' can at best only be a dim imitation of the 'truth'. Surely there are many more important things than simply what you believe.

I don't think it is beliefs that are causing problems here - it is something deeper. Perhaps some fears or insecurities that have been fanned by recognising differences in belief?!?

 

[arunma]

In the end though - they are only beliefs. And any beliefs regarding 'God' can at best only be a dim imitation of the 'truth'. Surely there are many more important things than simply what you believe.

I disagree. Christianity is founded in part on the premise that beliefs determine action. So under that premise, what one believes about God is the most important thing about that person. We Christians place a good deal of value on our beliefs, because they are not groundless superstition. Rather, our beliefs are grounded firmly in the Word of God, namely Jesus Christ, who is a genuine historical figure, rather than a formless philosophy. Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Therefore, our beliefs about God are not a dim imitation of the truth. On the contrary, the Truth of God is made flesh so that we can know it.

I don't think it is beliefs that are causing problems here - it is something deeper. Perhaps some fears or insecurities that have been fanned by recognising differences in belief?!?

If I may ask you to elaborate, what do you belive we are fearful of?

 

[sefroth77]

The problem is not with associating with Hindus, but with dating or marrying them.

Yes, very true, thats what i did, i married a pentecostal Christian and now she is a Hare Krishna devotee. A Beef-Eater turn Vegetarian. A Soul saved by me