The reputation of Sikhs here is a bunch of murderous individuals who mistreat their women. A gang of Sikhs here blew up an airliner over Ireland killing several hundred people and got away with murder. Then we have another case were a family of Sikhs murdered a young woman family member who married against their wishes and they have also got away with murder. I don't want anything to do with them. They are too religious for me.
Sikhism is a non-Semitic, Aryan, non-Vedic religion. It is a religion that has the sixth largest following in the world. Some consider it as an offshoot of Hinduism. It was founded by Guru Nanak at the end of the 15Th century. It originated in the area of Pakistan and North West India called Punjab, meaning the land of the five rivers. Guru Nanak was born in a Kshatriya (warrior caste) Hindu family but was very strongly influenced by Islam and Muslims.
I
DEFINITION OF SIKH AND SIKHISM
The word ?Sikh? is derived from the word sis ya meaning disciple or follower. Sikhism is a religion of ten Gurus, the first Guru being Guru Nanak and the tenth and the last being Guru Gobind Singh. The sacred book of Sikhism is Sri Guru Granth also called Adi Granth Sahib.
THE FIVE ? ?K?s
Every Sikh is supposed to keep the following five ?K?s, which also serve to identify him as a Sikh:
Kesh ? uncut hair.
Kanga ? comb; used to keep the hair clean.
Kada ? metal or steel bangle; for strength and self-restraint.
Kirpan ? dagger; for self-defence.
Kaccha ? special knee length underwear or under-drawer for agility.
II
CONCEPT OF GOD IN SIKHISM:
MULMANTRA: THE FUNDAMENTAL CREED OF SIKHISM
The best definition that any Sikh can give regarding the concept of God in Sikhism is to quote the Mulmantra ? the fundamental creed of Sikhism, which occurs at the beginning of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
It is mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, volume 1 Japuji, the first verse:
"There exists but one God, who is called The True, The Creator, Free from fear and hate, Immortal, Not begotten, Self-Existent, Great and Compassionate."
Sikhism is a monotheistic Religion
Sikhism enjoins its followers to practise strict monotheism. It believes in only One Supreme God who is, in the unmanifest form, called Ek Omkara.
In the manifest form He is called Omkara and has several attributes such as:
Kartar ? The Creator
Akal ? The Eternal
Sattanama ? The Holy Name
Sahib ? The Lord
Parvardigar ? The Cherisher
Rahim ? The Merciful
Karim ? The Benevolent
He is also called Wahe Guru ? the One true God.
Besides Sikhism being strictly monotheistic, it also does not believe in Avataravada ? the doctrine of incarnation. Almighty God does not incarnate Himself in what is known as Avatara. Sikhism is also strongly against idol worship.
Guru Nanak was influenced by Sant Kabir
Guru Nanak was influenced by the sayings of Sant Kabir so much that several chapters of Sri Guru Granth Sahib contain couplets of Sant Kabir.
One of the famous couplets of Sant Kabir is:
"Dukh mein sumirana sabh karein
Sukh mein karein na koya
Jo sukh mein sumirana karein
To dukh kaye hoye?"
"In times of trouble, God is remembered by all
But none remembers Him during peace and happiness.
If God is remembered in good times of happiness
Why should trouble occur?"
Compare this with the following verse of the Qur?an:
"When some trouble toucheth man,
He crieth unto his Lord,
Turning to Him in repentance:
But when He bestoweth
A favour upon him
As from Himself,
(Man) doth forget what he cried
And prayed for before,
And he doth set up
Rivals unto Allah."
[Al-Qur?an 39:8]
The Sikh scriptures therefore emphasise monotheism and God-consciousness.
Sikh beliefs are an interesting expansion on Hindu and Muslim ideas. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in Dharma, (the law of Karma) reincarnation, and Samsara (the Hindu cycle of life and death). Like Muslims, they believe in a single deity, and eschew idolatry.
Code of Conduct: The Sikh religion prohibits idolatry, the observance of a caste system, and the use of alcohol or tobacco. Sikhs also avoid meat that is not humanely slaughtered, and some prefer a vegetarian diet. Kosher and Halal meats are forbidden because they are believed to be inhumanely slaughtered.
Misconceptions: Unfortunately, due to the events of September, 2001, many Sikhs have been misidentified as Muslim extremists because their dress is similar to to that affected by Osama bin Laden. Many have been harassed, assaulted, or even killed. Sikhism is not an Islamic sect, and Sikhs believe in the equality of all human beings, regardless of gender, religion, race, or social status.
Discrimination issues: Sikhs have had many difficulties due to misunderstanding of the HalsSAequirements; these include forcible head shaving of Sikh prisoners, the banning of Kirpans in many public places (The Right to carry the kirpan has been upheld by the US and Canadian Supreme Courts), and recently, requirements that Sikh truck drivers wear protective gear that conflicts with their ability to wear turbans.
Symbols of Sikhism: The universal Sikh symbol is a glyph (called a Khanda) composed of a central, straight edged sword, symbozing truth surrounded by two curved swords representing temporal power and authority. Other important emblems include the Kirpan (a ceremonial knife worn by initiates), and the Onkar, a symbol of the unity of God.
What are the main features of Sikhism?
