Unsymmetric rules regarding marriage must be questioned

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Oct 11, 2012 at 01:56

Dear Dr Pipes:

I often read this thread about western women marrying Muslim men on your forum. Sometimes I believe that all these letters are made up because no adult person can be so gullible as to marry a guy across the ocean based on Internet chats and emails. Every human learns the golden rule --apply rules symmetrically-- from his/her mother by the time they are five years old. Then, why do non-muslims forget this rule when it comes to marrying a Muslim? Certain simple questions must be asked before you even think of saying "I do": Are you as likely to evaluate my religion as I am required to evaluate yours? If not, then why not? Are you as likely to convert to my religion as I am to yours? If not, then why not? Is your book the big truth and mine corrupted? If yes, then why? Is it more likely that we will raise our children in your religion than mine? If yes, then why? Will more of the money that I make be inherited by my son then my daughter? If yes, then why? Am I allowed to get as many spouses as you? If not, then why not? Why is your Prophet the last prophet and not mine?

It is as simple as this. If you agree to unsymmetry before you say "I do", why should unsymmetry bother you after. If you enter a contract without asking these questions, at least partly, you are responsible for your plight.

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