Ah yes, aunties asking if it’ll be me next. Gladly there are no funerals looming in which I could ask them the same. (this is a joke, J-O-K-E!).
Anyway, I went to a Sikh wedding recently. Not that it was much different from a Hindu wedding to be honest but it was nice. The guy leading the proceedings said some interesting things, the most memorable of which was:
“Marriages are settled in heaven and celebrated in Earth”
He also talked about all religions being different paths to God and that if all religions accepted that, there would be no war. As if religion is the reason for wars!!! Whilst it is often an excuse, surely the cause is greed and power-hunger and other suchlike? Nevertheless, I didn’t think it was an open discussion so I let it slide.
He did have some interesting things to say on the topic of marriage which I’ve not so far heard put explicitly:
- the use of the term ‘our parents’ as opposed to ‘your’ and ‘my’ parents, being a useful part of binding the family. How true.
- that the husband should accompany the wife to her place of worship and the wife likewise. This is a very interesting thought in today’s multicultural England. An interesting alternative to conversion of one.
He also added the ever timeless “Thou shalt not divorce”/ “What God has joined, let no man put asunder” line you hear at most weddings. Of course. That’s why people get married. People don’t sign contracts with the intent of breaking them. Sigh.
On an admin point: there are lots of photos up and I uploaded some of my poetry too for your delectation.
