The Bible may have been promulgated, and no one will separate the union of God, but object to the same thing --
Same-sex marriage remains a pillar of American Christian conservatism. S.
Gay marriage is legal in the United States. S.
However, the religious ceremony accompanying them is not easy to end.
It is unusual that, although the opposition to homosexuality is a rare unifying platform for Hindu, Christian and Muslim conservatives, there are at least two Hindu groups in the United StatesS.
Has gone all out to support the same-
The sex couple hold their hands as they say "I do" around the fire, and there are Vedic hymns and bells in the background.
Neeral Sheth and Anu Hazra, both doctors in their early 30 s, have been dating for more than a decade when they decided to get married earlier this year.
Their parents accepted the same fact.
But marriage means opening up to the larger social world occupied by traditional Hindu families.
"Hindu marriage makes it easy for them to transition," recalls Sheth . ".
"I have a strong understanding of Indian religion and culture since I was a child.
It's a bit difficult when I know I'm gay because I don't know how it fits into Hinduism.
Only when I realized the difference between culture and Hinduism did I start to accept Hinduism more.
He added: "It is impossible for me to get married because family support is everything for me.
This is a story about the two families coming together, unlike the marriage in the United States focusing only on the couple.
"We understand each other's temples, customs and share religion, which helps us to understand each other.
"We are all Indians, and we are also Hindus, which is very helpful," Hazra recalls . ".
Sheth focuses on mental health and Hazra plans to work with HIV-positive people --
Also chosen by their identity.
Their marriage in June was one of six Vedic ceremonies.
Over the past six years, Acharya Hersh Khetarpal, head of Yog Sadhan Ashram in Chicago, conducted an investigation into sex couples.
Interestingly, before an informal dinner, a deep cultural conservatism had given her an idea of what she thought about the issue.
The table conversation with the family prompted new inquiries and new understanding.
Khetarpal noted that her daughter Priya was clearly unhappy when someone made a negative comment about homosexuality.
"We started talking to her and found out she was gay," she recalls . ".
'I grew up with strong feelings about Indian religion and culture,' he said.
It's a bit difficult when I know I'm gay because I don't know how it fits into Hinduism.
Only when I realized the difference between culture and Hinduism did I start to accept Hinduism more. ’ —
Neeral Sheth added that Priya was dating Rebecca parriish at the time and she was volunteering for a non-
"When I told my parents about my sexual orientation, they understood it very well, but it was not easy for them.
Gradually, they began to accept it more.
When Priya and Rebecca (
He was born as a Christian but grew up as an agnostic)
Khetarpals decided to get married and they had to be open to relatives and the larger community, and it is understandable that "this is more difficult ".
Khetarpal consulted the father and guru who lived in Punjab and learned the ceremony of holding a wedding for her daughter's wedding.
Priya and Rebecca got married on 2010, and the ceremony began with Ganesh Pooja, followed by jaimala and parents connecting the couple's hands.
A fire-fighting ceremony, philas, Zapata Paddy, or seven vows, exchange rings, and tiraq were then held.
The marriage of Sheth and Hazra follows the same order.
"Sindoor and mangalsutra are also available for women," Khetarpal said . ".
Hindu Foundation of America (HAF)
Earlier this year, the group opposed the mention of caste in the California school syllabus and supported more non-critical views on Hinduism --
Sexual partners are at the heart of their principles.
One of its leading committee members, Fred Stella, a white man, formerly a Roman Catholic, was authorized by a temple in Michigan to host the wedding.
His first wedding.
Same-sex marriage supported by HAF in New York this year, between an American
Born Hindu and Canadianborn Christian.
Stella is an Indian.
"The equivalent of a Christian believer --
He said: "Secretary of the United States
He often hosts ceremonies for heterosexual couples, but not all of them are Hindu.
"Many people are far away from Christianity. . .
Maintain a broad spiritual direction.
When they had to get married, they felt it was hypocritical to go to the temple, but at the same time, there was a spiritual element in them.
They learn yoga, meditate, and some of them even have a guru.
They asked me to do the wedding service.
However, he added that the "choreographer" is still Christian, including the groom walking down the aisle to the bride, vows and flowers.
Yoga philosophy says we are the soul, the soul has no gender.
I have a lesbian daughter and I know this is how God created her. ’ —
Acharya Hersh Khetarpal, head of Yog Sadhan Ashram in Chicago "HAF believes that Hinduism teaches you that you are not a body.
The ideal is to realize your inner soul or atma.
All ideas of sex are related to the body.
In fact, we found positive references to the third sex in ancient texts, "Co. founder of HAF.
Swamadevenkataraman, who wrote HAF's position paper on homosexuality, said: "There is absolutely no reason to have a negative view of homosexuality in the Hindu text.
Khetarpal agreed: "Yoga philosophy says we are souls and there is no gender in the soul.
I have a lesbian daughter and I know this is how God created her.
She believes that Hindu groups in India oppose homosexuality because of their ignorance of the Vedic tradition.
"It was after Christianity came to India,
"Sexual marriage is a taboo," she said . "
While many Christian priests in the United States continue to hold an extremely homophobic position, the new interpretation of Hindu beliefs by Achariya hattapal and HAF is refreshing, enhance the meaning of many "soul mates --
Sex couples in AmericaS. today. varghese. g@thehindu. co.