When you have a system of ideas which is as intrinsically tribal and racist as religion is, issues like these are inevitable.

Every religion believes they have the way, and every religion believes everyone else is doomed to eternal damnation. In that system, how do you effectively integrate with those you have earmarked for hell?

Modern societies work because we’ve mainly moved away from the old tribalistic tendencies of those who founded these religions, and secularism has taken such a massive hold. But for those who remain mired in them, a lot of trouble results for everyone.

In a story straight out of Shakespeare, a pair of starry eyed lovers in India attempted to commit suicide on the grounds of the Taj Mahal, India’s world famed love monument.

The two, a Hindu and a Muslim, were fed up because their respective parent would not allow them to marry each other. Inter religious and inter-caste marriages are still terribly frowned upon in India.

So they went onto the holy grounds of the Mahal, and both slit their throats, reports the BBC.

Fortunately, they were discovered early and sent to hospital, where they’re both reported to be in stable condition.

“The girl cut her throat first followed by the boy,” said deputy superintendent Aseem Chaudhary.

The Times of India quoted the young man as saying that the couple had tried to convince their parents to change their minds, but that “the boundaries of religion remained the biggest hurdle”.

“We did this after failing at all possible ways to be together,” he said.