<p>Personally, I would marry someone similar to me, with the same religion, values, etc.
the problem with religious differences is that it is often CULTURAL differences.</p>
<p>I have very strong political views, so it’s important that an individual I wed be willing to challenge me (even if we have similar or only slightly different views). I don’t want to be in an echo chamber.</p>
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<p>Hahah! That’s awesome. I’m all for people doing what they want - if you want to go along with the traditions, knock yourself out! But I would never want it forced on me.</p>
<p>I actually know one Hindu/Muslim couple. They seem to get on well. I personally couldn’t do it - I disagree with the philosophy too much and I feel like my parents are actually quite religious, so they definitely wouldn’t like it. Just wondering - is your third cousin living in Pakistan or America? I know being a Hindu in Pakistan is really hard. </p>
<p>And about the shorts: I think my mom has loosened up over time. Before, she used to be all like “short shorts are too short” and now she’s like “dress appropriately”. Idk. </p>
<p>And regarding giving your kids choice not being a big deal…it depends on how big of a deal your religion is for you. If you’re like, “lol, lets go to (insert place of worship here)” on the holidays, that’s one thing. But if you’re the type that reads and prays often and take your religion super seriously, I think you’ll have an issue. I guess I fundamentally believe that if you believe the religion you follow is important for living well, if you marry someone who disagrees, it’ll be tough to get along. </p>
<p>That’s why I think there are certain good points to the arranged marriage practice, or at least considering long term compatibility before jumping the broom. There’s not going to be a disagreement about how to worship, how to educate your kids etc. etc., because you’ve thought it out already.</p>
<p>If you go for hot people, don’t go for the body - look at the face and personality too, LOL. 
Some people have nice bodies in their 20s and it goes downhill from there. (Just look at some of the big athletes - Ivan Lendl looks positively fat now, haha).</p>
<p>Yes, as long as there is mutual respect.</p>
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I didn’t say that you don’t understand it because you look at it differently. You said, “in my experience families which arrange these marriages rarely factor in whether the two partners would like each other.” In arranged marriages, whether the two partners like each other is taken into consideration. It’s what determines marriage, just like with non-arranged marriages. That’s what my response was about.</p>
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Maybe they did make a rash decision like that, which would be pretty silly. But you don’t know the whole story. There’s probably more to it. Like I said, you’re not going to get the whole story unless you are both very close and an adult.</p>
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Yeah, it’s pretty sad in India 
Fanatic Hindus and Muslims attack everyday Hindus and Muslims. But I don’t think that specific example would affect marriages. A Muslim doesn’t marry outside of Abrahamic religions anyways.</p>
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<p>I think a few do, but those aren’t probably the hardcore types- some may not consider them true believers. Anyway, I don’t think its a good idea, especially for the Hindu. I’m not going to get into religious conflict in India here because this is a very controversial topic and I have VERY strong views on this.</p>
<p>Also, how rich is the girl?</p>
<p>As rich as you are, on a relative scale, with standard deviation + or minus $1…</p>
<p>^ Cheeky.</p>
<p>But actually.</p>
<p>Religion: This is pretty important to me because I am a devoted Christian. I honestly have no problem with friends who are atheists or of other religions, but marriage is something completely different so I would probably like somebody Christian. I would raise my children Christian, although it’s ultimately up to them.</p>
<p>Education: Not a big deal at all. If he isn’t superficial and can think intellectually, I can care less about a diploma or degree. </p>
<p>Political Views: Again, it’s really not a big deal. I do have my personal views, but I respect other views and am completely fine with having somebody in the house who may not agree with me on issues.</p>
<p>Here is the big problem. Muslims and Hindus isn’t a big deal here as you are assuming. (I am talking about breaking temple.)
Some Muslims seem to believe in one thing only. “Jihad” there is lot of misconception among the people. Either they are dumb or don’t know what are they doing. there isn’t a religion where god said to kill people, force others to your religion. the real problem is another thing. power has driven political leaders crazy. sometimes, muslims break Mosque. and sometimes, muslims break temple. there are also opposite examples. some hindu people break mosque or temple.
the question is this. What they get from it?
answer is, they are doing it for money and who gives money? political leaders. mostly because it’ll work in their favor. I won’t reveal how, but it’s true.</p>
<p>you might be surprised to know this. people in south asia sell votes in national election just for 9$ maybe. some people will sell it for a cup of tea. when people are like this, you can’t blame Hindu or Muslim. blame people.
and for Muslims, well, they have their own issues. In Quran, there is nowhere god said that break temples, rape girls not for wearing hizab. am not sure what they call it.
there are Muslims who are illiterate and extremist. It just take 1 hour to make a illiterate Muslim convinced about jihad.</p>
<p>I don’t want any argument over this issue. as there are things we will never know.</p>
<p>^Honestly, the whole Muslim-Hindu divide thing in India has been there for, like, ever… Remember the great migration after the partition? And it’s pretty two-sided, so (in my experience, anyways) most people seem to realize that it’s a bunch of crazy people fighting.</p>
<p>Anyways, back on topic 
I didn’t even answer the question yet lol</p>
<p>Different Religion: I’ld need to marry someone of the same religion as me. My beliefs are pretty important. </p>
<p>Education: They’ld have to at least have a college undergrad and be able to get a decent job.</p>
<p>Political Affiliation: It would probably depend on what issues. If it’s a disagreement on how taxes should work or something, it’ld be fine, but something like the Israel-Palestine conflict would probably be a deal breaker.</p>
<p>My philosophy on marriages is that the foundation (strong beliefs, values, etc.) should be the same, and everything else should be the opposite. So you get a matched pair that balances out all strengths and weaknesses :D</p>
<p>Religion: Depends. If they’re too into it, then it might be a deal breaker. I can’t do the overly religious, since I don’t believe in God.</p>
<p>Education: They have to be highly educated, or at least have a Master’s.</p>
<p>Politics: Doesn’t matter unless they’re racist, sexist or homophobic. That’s when I draw the line.</p>
<p>Religion: I’m Christian, and I would want to marry another Christian. It’s pretty important to me.</p>
<p>Education: Not much of a problem here. As long as she can think intellectually :P</p>
<p>Political: Honestly don’t care. I think I lean slightly right, but I live in Massachusetts…so I’m used to having different views haha. As long as she isn’t extreme in her political views.</p>
<p>Different Religion: I want to marry someone with the same religion as me. Like, I’m not flexible in that department at all. It’s important to me, and I just feel like it gives you so much more in common. </p>
<p>Different Education: Well, I don’t really care what he studies, but he has to have graduated college. Anyway, I’m attracted to intelligent people haha. Something about intellectuals turns me on
Lmao, chances are I’ll marry a doctor, because that’s what like 80% of south Asians are.</p>
<p>Different Political Views: Uhm, I guess I don’t really care too much about their political views. If anything, I’ll enjoy our debates if we happen to be on different sides. I might be a bit wary of people on the extreme ends of the spectrum though (extremely liberal, extremely conservative.)</p>
<p>And on the topic of arranged marriages: I think there’s a spectrum of arranged marriages. Some people (generally overseas, sometimes uneducated) are literally given no choice in their marriage (which is actually against Islamic teachings). Others, have their parents recommend people to them if they don’t find someone themselves. Then the two people meet up and see if they’re compatible/like each other. So it’s more like arranged dating, I suppose.</p>
<p>Now the real question is would you marry someone of a different race?</p>
<p>@Repede, I’m a black girl in a predominately white town in TX, where hispanics outnumber blacks, so I’ve gotten used to being around people of different races. It’s more about the person inside. Besides, there are attractive people in every race.</p>
<p>I could marry someone of a different religion probably (would depend on their exact views) but probably not an atheist.</p>
<p>As long as they’re intelligent, I don’t care what their education level is. </p>
<p>Political views…so long as they aren’t don’t have radical views (e.g., socialism, communism, etc.) and they respected my views, no issue.</p>
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Yes.</p>
<p>Yeah, different race isn’t much of a problem for me. The thing is, I tend to spend more time with people of my own race (lol I’m not racist; it just plays out that way), so I’m much more likely to marry someone of my own race.</p>
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I would like to marry someone that was mixed-race (preferably black & white) I don’t know why, I’m weird like that. I find biracial people attractive. I’m black myself, and would marry a black person also. I probably wouldn’t marry someone that was white. Just cause it’s not my preference. </p>
<p>I imagine myself being a single dad though, so it doesn’t really matter.</p>