INTERFAITH LOVES
ARI PRESS
CHAPTER I
TRANSPLANTATION
In ecological terms the world may be an interwoven web of plants and animals in a peculiar balance. But in cultural terms it is still very much a disjointed heap of nations and peoples, languages and religions. In politics and trade there is rivalry and competition and at the diplomatic level there are smiles and handshakes. But in matters of religion and tradition humans are still an unmixable lot, unwilling and afraid to become one huge human family.
Yet now and again there are individuals who transcend their ethnic islet and mingle with members of alien cultural affiliations. As long as this happens at informal social levels the value in such mingling is appreciated by all. Indeed, we have made great progress in this regard. For in today’s world there are a good many who greet others of a different faith tradition. It is not uncommon for people and nations to wish others on different religious holidays, such as Christmas and Hanukkah, Diwali and Id.
But now and again intercultural interactions may lead to stronger bonds. When these become affairs of the heart, with dreams and decisions to merge with marital bonds the matter could become a little more complicated. The complication often tends to arise not so much because of objections from various religious authorities, which are invariably there, but can be ignored by the youth, at least in secular democracies, but from parents of another generation who find it hard to let their children slide away from the tradition and framework to which they have been bound strongly in their parental lineage. For there is something unnerving in the thought that one’s progeny will not only move away from one’s own ancient and sturdy family tree, but will start a new breed that will have no firm anchor in custom or tradition.
This is the story of what happens when such situations arise.
Spurts of Thought 