Child of interfaith parents

[pHaze]

Is what I am. My father being RC and my mom being Hindu so since he was RC they made the same. Would it be wrong for me to take parts in a Hindu ceremony or mixing in religious ideas, pictures etc. I never really questioned these things when I was young but I’m wondering these things now.

 

[SMHW]

If I understand you correctly you have been raised as a Catholic. As such, you generally should not “take part” in other religious ceremonies. However that does not mean that you cannot be a guest or observer at such events.

I presume that since your mother is a Hindu that there are family events that occasionally involve Hindu services. You can certainly attend such services. But respect for your Catholic beliefs (and also for the Hindu beliefs) suggests that you not say or do anything which contradicts your Catholic beliefs or supports Hindu beliefs you do not hold.

Mixing religious ideas puts you in dangerous territory. While there are certain forms of reverence and/or respect that can probably be borrowed from the Hindu tradition you are likely to give others of either religion the wrong idea. You should avoid anything which gives the impression that you are worshiping Hindu deities or that you hold any beliefs contrary to Catholicsim.

 

[richardsgirl]

I agree with the above post that, if you’re Catholic, you shouldn’t take part in Hindu ceremonies as it would seem as if that that is what you believe in… which wouldn’t be right between you and God, and also in the confusing message it sends out to other people.

Maybe there is some way you can honour the cultural tradition of your mum though… without compromising on your faith?
Sarah

 

[pHaze]

Yes I am a Catholic. I don’t normally goto any Hindu ceremonies but yes if happen to be there then I usually take part. I don’t know if you ever heard of a Puja. You can check it out here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puja I respect both religions equally but I’m wondering where the line is drawn. I know Hindus believe that every path leaves to God or gods. But that basically contradicts itself.

 

[1ke]

Is what I am. My father being RC and my mom being Hindu so since he was RC they made the same. Would it be wrong for me to take parts in a Hindu ceremony or mixing in religious ideas, pictures etc. I never really questioned these things when I was young but I’m wondering these things now.

The idea of mixing elements of the Hindu religion and the Catholic religion would be the error of indifferentism, syncretism. The Catholic Church rejects this.

That does not mean that you cannot embrace your mother’s culture and elements of it or attend ceremonies important to her (while refraining form participation). But, the Hindu religion is not compatible with the Catholic faith.

 

[pHaze]

The idea of mixing elements of the Hindu religion and the Catholic religion would be the error of indifferentism, syncretism. The Catholic Church rejects this.

That does not mean that you cannot embrace your mother’s culture and elements of it or attend ceremonies important to her (while refraining form participation). But, the Hindu religion is not compatible with the Catholic faith.

Thanks. I’ve seen some comparisons between Hinduism and Catholicism but what are the major differences making it incompatible?