December may be known as "the holiday season" in Western countries, but many South Asians are celebrating their religious holidays this fall. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is around the corner, and Ramadhan, the Islamic month of fasting, begins this October. So we asked young South Asian Americans how important religion is in their lives and how they approach their religious beliefs. While our readers came from different backgrounds (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians) and held wildly varying views, one thing's for certain—everyone had an opinion! Here's what they had to say:

How important is religion in your life?
"I think, for me, 'religion' implies a structured set of beliefs that are adhered to and rituals that are practiced. In that sense, I can't say that religion plays a large role in my everyday life ... I tend to be a very practical person, and I just was never able to see the benefits of the Hindu rituals I learned as a child."
—Sarita Warrier, 25, Hindu

"Religion is the basis of my spirituality but not necessarily a guiding factor in my life."
—Reena Muhammad, 27, Muslim

"Hinduism is really important to me because I feel like it really guides my life."
—Smita Kamath, 22, Hindu

"Religion does not necessarily dictate my life, but I am proud to be Hindu and I think it's a beautiful religion. Unfortunately, I don't have a strong enough foundation that I'd be able to perform certain ceremonies on my own, or that I'd be even aware of a special festival or day."
—Savita Ubhayakar, 26, Hindu

"My religion gives me something to believe. So when I'm scared or alone or in a difficult situation I know that there is a god. When things are difficult it makes me believe that there is a greater plan and things will work out for the best or that there is a reason why it's happening to me. When I need to calm down or clear my head the gurduwara or just saying Waheguru gives me peace of mind."
—Deepi Sihota, 24, Sikh

“Religion is the single-most influential factor in my life. It governs the decisions I make and allows me to differ between right and wrong in what I consider to be a world full of confusion."
—Shiny Mathew, 24, Christian

"Religion is important because every moral or spiritual decision I make is always in accordance with Islam. It gives me something to grasp onto when I feel down or I don't know what the right decision is. It is a presence that I cannot imagine living without."
—Nila Ahmad, 22, Muslim

"It is a big part of my life because it gives me a purpose for life. It directs me in being a better person."
—Shruti Patel, 20, Hindu

Does your parents' view of religion affect your relationship to your faith?
"We were brought up practicing our religion and not only is it respectful but it is also fun at times. My whole family believes in god and it is important to us to show how much we believe in him. Religion is important to my parents because they wanted us to grow up with the morals and experiences as they did."
—Jesal Desai, 18, Hindu

"My parents know that I don't practice in the manner that they are accustomed to and while they don't agree with my interpretations, they don't (usually) object. Since they raised me as a Muslim, I think that is why I identify with Islam but I don't practice because [only] they want me to."
—Reena Muhammad, 27, Mulim

"For me, religion began as something that I followed because my parents did it ... As I grew up and went through things in my life that affected me a lot as a person and hurt me a lot, I stopped believing in God. But as time passed, I needed something that I could believe in or have faith in that would help me get out of situations that hurt me and make me believe in myself again. I started praying everyday at night, and just believing that no matter what things will happen for a reason and work out in the end. I now practice religion for my own sake."
—Prathima Venkatesan, 24, Hindu

"I try to practice as much as I have been taught by my parents. They made an honest attempt at trying to keep religion alive through the generations by having us attend poojas as a family within the Sindhi community. But some aspects have been sacrificed or Americanized due to being born, brought up and living in America."
—Anil Mulchandani, 24, Hindu

"My mother is religious but she doesn't force it on us anymore. When we were young she made us go to the gurduwara, but nowadays it's different and she hardly ever takes us. She doesn't take us because the gurduwara has become a social cliche, a place where guys 'holla' at girls. She hates it when we go to pray and instead boys are trying to get our numbers."
—Deepi Sihota, 24, Sikh

“My parents’ strict attitudes about how a Christian should look helped me to better understand that their Indian culture had greatly influenced the importance of ‘looking the part,’ whereas my American culture has influenced my belief that your faith begins on the inside and what’s on the inside is what matters most. My parents and I differ on which needs to come first, however their support and understanding of my desire to want to analyze the Bible on a personal level serves as an encouragement to me.”
—Shiny Mathew, 24, Christian

How is religion more of a cultural or social influence?
"I see Hinduism not just as a religion, but also as a way of life. It is not a complement to my culture and upbringing; it is my culture and my upbringing."
—Meghana Acharya, 24, Hindu

"I feel the social events such as garba and holi are a great way to meet other Indian people."
—Jesal Desai, 18, Hindu

"It [religion] is definitely not a cultural take-a-long. I practice it because I believe in it and need it in my life."
—Nila Ahmad, 22, Muslim

Is your approach to religion more traditional or modern? Do you "pick and choose" what you believe?
"I have a more modern approach to religion. It is harder for me to really practice just because there aren't that many people around that are the same religion as me."
—Kruti Shah, 19, Jain

"I have a thoroughly modern approach to Hinduism. There are many aspects that I do not like and there are some aspects that I do find valuable ...The religion, despite having strong goddesses, is still largely patriarchal in its practice—from only having male priests to having men perform rituals in place of their wives to certain temples not allowing any woman with a working uterus to enter the temple. And, of course, the idea of the caste system is abhorrent to me—I can't see any good in its practice. I also believe that the stories of the gods and goddesses are morality tales—I don't take them literally. What I do like about Hinduism is the idea of reincarnation, because I think it makes believers focus on their actions and consequences, not just their words or beliefs. What use are good beliefs, if those beliefs are not put into practice? I also think that this idea is what forms the core of my personal spirituality and encourages me to try to be a good person, if not a religious one."
—Sarita Warrier, 24, Hindu

"I view my religion in a mix of tradition and modernity. I use the tradition of the religion to keep myself grounded and try to incorporate it into my 'modern' life ... I have problems with people that misconstrue the religion, compartmentalizing it by calling it 'idolatry' or 'sexist.' All religions started at some point in history before modern political correctness was established. Ideas that were so strong take time to change, so I believe that people should be understanding when it comes to old religions. I believe everything, the 'pick and choose' comes to what I practice."
—Meghana Acharya, 24, Hindu

"Most probably a modern one. I believe in it, and see the flaws, as in every religion. But I respect it, and see the beauty of it at the same time."
—Fatima Mansour, 26, Muslim

"I have almost a problem with any organized religion, mine included. It ostracizes people, lifts some, belittles others and can cause more conflict than it can lead to a greater good. Look at today's society and see how many problems are caused by religion. This, of course, has happened throughout time and will not change any time soon."
—Subhakar Mutyala, 30, Hindu

“My approach to religion is more traditional than modern. I know many people question the Bible in terms of it being the infallible word of God, but I think that if we go around making things up as we go, there’s a limit to the strength and validity of our standards. I think it makes more sense to come to terms with a divine standard or morality that is bigger than ourselves. There are some things in the Bible that I wish weren’t there, or times when I disagree with the way God does things, but … what am I going to do about it? Am I going to try and create some false reality for myself ... or am I going to do my best to come to terms with the way things really are? At the end of the day, I’d rather seek out truth than manufacture whatever makes me feel good or suits my own personal agenda.”
—Patrick Kalyanapu, 27, Christian

"I definitely have a modern approach to my religion. There are quite a few customs that seem rather outdated and wouldn't apply to today's environment. As a Hindu Brahmin, I'm not supposed to eat meat, eat garlic or onions. But I find myself essentially doing what I want to do. Not eating meat isn't so much of a religious practice; it's more for the sake of my own personal preference. And forget about the onions/garlic ...I could never give up on those!"
—Savita Ubhayakar, 26, Hindu

"I do [pick and choose], which is why I don't practice. I am pro-choice and pro-gay. Since organized religion rejects these things, I choose not to practice. But I still believe in God in the way that I want to believe."
—Amanda Baran, 28, Christian

"I would say I'm moderate in my approach. I am neither to one extreme or the other, but I try to practice it in the true spirit of when it was sent down."
—Nila Ahmad, 22, Muslim

How does your religion affect your family life? Does your spouse have to be the same religion as you? Will or do you share your religion with your children?
"I date [men from] other religions and races, but whenever I date a Punjabi Sikh he usually has more 'points' than someone else. I know it would be a lot easier to pass on my religion to my children if I married a Sikh man, but I don't believe in marrying someone just because they're the right caste and religion. The man I marry has to be right for me. I'd rather be happy with a non-Sikh man then miserable with a Sikh man. I refuse to settle for someone because it's right for everyone else; who I settle with needs to be right for me."
—Deepi Sihota, 24, Sikh

"I don't only socially associate with Hindus, but I know for a fact I will marry a Hindu ... My children are free to choose whatever religion they want to be, however, I will teach them the way my parents did: Hinduism as a way of life. The message for most religions is pretty much the same, so I do not feel I will be hindering them in any way."
—Meghana Acharya, 24, Hindu

“I think it’s important to marry someone who has the same beliefs as I do. I come from a family with a Christian mother and a Hindu father. My mom would dress me and my sisters up every Sunday morning and take us to church all by herself. For years she struggled trying to raise us up in her faith while praying for my father. He eventually started to believe and converted, but to this day my mother tells me about how difficult it really was.”
—Krissy Satchi, 22, Christian

"I will tell them [my children] everything I believe in, I will send them to Hindu camps, so they can learn more about it themselves, and they will also have the freedom to choose it for themselves."
—Ruchi Mathur, 24, Hindu

"I will pass it onto my children by taking them to religious services and practicing Islam in the home and educating them so that they can make the educated decision of following it as well."
—Nila Ahmad, 22, Muslim

"My fiancee is Sindhi Hindu as well. Though some might think I went looking for a Sindhi, truthfully she is my dream girl in every aspect."
—Anil Mulchandani, 24, Hindu