Changing Religion

[New Judge]

Adam, the younger brother of Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, has recently married Rahala Noor, who is a cosmetic surgeon and a Bangladeshi-born Muslim. Mr Osborne converted to Islam prior to the marriage and it is reported that this was a condition imposed by the new Mrs Osborne’s family before they would allow the wedding to take place.

Islam seems particularly strict when it comes to restricting prospective spouses to those of the Muslim faith. I’m sure there are many examples but another high profile wedding which springs to mind where the non-Muslim partner converted to Islam was Jemima Khan who married (and subsequently divorced) Imran Khan, the Pakistani former cricketer turned politician.

Of course Islam is not alone. Many Jewish families frown upon prospective non-Jewish partners for their children and a number of people convert to Catholicism before wedding a Catholic. Children of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I’m led to believe, have to be careful in their choice of partner in order to avoid upsetting their parents. I’m sure there are other examples.

However, I have never heard of a marriage where it has been suggested that one of the parties convert to the Church of England branch of Christianity in order that religious purity can be maintained.

Has anybody else?

[Sqad]

N-J...Excellent post and no I haven't.

[Quinlad]

I don't think I have either. Not that it's something to score points over.

It all comes down to personal choice and I'm more than happy for people to convert to or from any religion or belief they choose, for what ever reason they see fit, as long as there's no undue coersion.

[society]

no i haven't either and nothing could get me to change my faith.
that must be some love for george osborne!

[Sqad]

Quinlad

///as long as there's no undue coersion.///

I think that that is N-J's point.

If you don't change your religion, you don't marry my daughter.......I think that that is " coercion "

[Quinlad]

Sqad,

The key word is "undue".

If a restaurant prevents me from coming in unless I put on a tie, that's not impinging on my free will. I still have a choice - just as everyone does when they marry someone who asks that they convert to their religion.

[Sqad]

Quinlad I take your point, but, in my opinion, asking someone to change their religion as a condition of marriage is, in my view is imposing "undue coercion.

[coccinelle]

You don't have to change your religion to marry an Anglican in an Anglican church.

[Gromit]

I believe anyone wishing to marry into the British monarchy must not be Catholic, and would have to convert if they wish to do so.

[keyplus90]

I think that is due to the fact that Church of England is not a religion, neither is catholicism or JW's. These are all parts of Christianity. But to your question, perhaps the reason is some sort of belief. May be others are more stricter than CE.

I know that is not the part of the question but being a Muslim I know why it is compulsory for man to convert when marrying a Muslim woman. Muslims believe in all the prophets (including Moses and Jesus and that is necessary to be a Muslim) so anyone converting would not have to stop believing in any of the prophets. Whereas if a Muslim marries to Christian then Muhammad (pbuh) is out, however if she marries a Jew then both Muhammad and Jesus are out.