Readers' Forum
“The prodigal returns”
In her letter "The prodigal returns” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, December 21, 2014) Dr Khurshid Bhalla has recounted her normal, blissfully innocent childhood, her exposure to a variety of communities and her grown up decision to marry a person not belonging to our own community. She has frankly recorded that, perhaps due to saas-bahu differences, the marriage did not work through no fault of the couple and a divorce was sought. All through the period, she was not permitted to enter our fire temples though she did find solace in Shirdi, Hindu temples, mosques and churches. Ten years after her divorce, some Zoroastrian priests decided that she was cleansed and allowed entry as a result of which she feels she is whole again and one with Zoroaster who, she believes, had never left her side!
This letter seems to have been written to caution the young generation on the drawbacks of choosing a life mate from outside the community. As the records in your magazine show, the rate of mixed marriages is growing each year. We are not recording the divorce rate so the success rate of such marriages cannot be ascertained. However, it would be but natural that when such unions are contemplated much discussion and thought goes into the process. One thinks of families being upset, the acceptance of different traditions, food habits and so on. But, in most cases, the bond is strong enough to weather the storm. So, if a few interfaith unions do not work out, one must not brush aside the fact that many such marriages do last. Parsiana is broad-minded in accepting the so-called rebellious types instead of toeing the fanatic line.
I have several friends who have intermarried. One couple is now in their 80s! I spent a wonderful evening at dinner with another couple that has already celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. They are all happy. Religion is manmade, being the essence of the wonderful thoughts of evolved persons who were blessed with great powers of oratory. Our Prophet passed on simple rules — good thoughts, good words, good deeds — as have so many others in different words. We were born into Zoroastrian households and conditioned to believe and have faith and trust from which we derive strength and comfort. But we can communicate with whoever we want in any language, at any time, from anywhere and obtain the comfort we desire. So how does it matter if the woman by choice practices what she was conditioned to in the family where she was born?
And, as no one has returned to relate the truth behind the stories of the bridge to heaven (and other tales), we should stop depending so heavily on them. We should do what our hearts and minds deem right and have faith that everything will be all right with Him.
It is hoped that Bhalla is happy after her readmission. JAMSHED IRANI
iranjams@yahoo.in
This letter seems to have been written to caution the young generation on the drawbacks of choosing a life mate from outside the community. As the records in your magazine show, the rate of mixed marriages is growing each year. We are not recording the divorce rate so the success rate of such marriages cannot be ascertained. However, it would be but natural that when such unions are contemplated much discussion and thought goes into the process. One thinks of families being upset, the acceptance of different traditions, food habits and so on. But, in most cases, the bond is strong enough to weather the storm. So, if a few interfaith unions do not work out, one must not brush aside the fact that many such marriages do last. Parsiana is broad-minded in accepting the so-called rebellious types instead of toeing the fanatic line.
I have several friends who have intermarried. One couple is now in their 80s! I spent a wonderful evening at dinner with another couple that has already celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. They are all happy. Religion is manmade, being the essence of the wonderful thoughts of evolved persons who were blessed with great powers of oratory. Our Prophet passed on simple rules — good thoughts, good words, good deeds — as have so many others in different words. We were born into Zoroastrian households and conditioned to believe and have faith and trust from which we derive strength and comfort. But we can communicate with whoever we want in any language, at any time, from anywhere and obtain the comfort we desire. So how does it matter if the woman by choice practices what she was conditioned to in the family where she was born?
And, as no one has returned to relate the truth behind the stories of the bridge to heaven (and other tales), we should stop depending so heavily on them. We should do what our hearts and minds deem right and have faith that everything will be all right with Him.
It is hoped that Bhalla is happy after her readmission. JAMSHED IRANI
iranjams@yahoo.in
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