Thoughts on World Views (Sikhism)

Sikhism starting in the Punjab region of India in the 1500s. It is very new compared to the other mainstream religions. They are monotheistic, believing in one all powerful creator god. This god spoke to the world in ten prophets or Gurus. These Gurus wrote down what god said and it has been compiled into one really large book. The book is so big it is wheeled around on a cart. The book is written in Punjabi and is not translated. One aspect of becoming Sikh is that you have to speak Punjabi, which may be why it is not sweeping America as a belief system.

What makes Sikhism unique is that they do not try to get anyone to join their religion, perhaps of the language barrier.   They believe that god will bring people to himself. The believers spend their time serving and making life better for all. Sikhs make great policemen, fireman, military members and do great in other service type jobs. There is even a Sikh motorcycle club that is a public service organization. There are over 25 million Sikhs. I have worked with several and known many. I spent 3 days with a Sikh teacher when I was in Singapore. So their religion gives them a worldview of service and care and acceptance. Unlike some regions that want to conquer and change a society, Sikhs want to make it better and serve people.

Sikhs worship in temples. They cover their heads and sit on the floor. All of their services consist of someone reading from their huge book. I attended a Sikh wedding and all the speaking was someone reading, or singing their book. Their book is considered to be the words of god. Because it is rhythmical people have to go to school to learn how to read it and sing it. Every Sikh temple has a kitchen and food service hall in it. Every time the Sikhs get together they eat. They are vegetarian, they are forbidden to eat meat. I ate two meals in their temple chow hall and they were yummy. Anybody of any faith can attend their temple and eat their food. They are welcoming of everyone.

A Sikh once told me that god, in speaking to their tenth guru, told him that Sikhs were blending in to much so they had to stand out. So today Sikhs

1. Don’t cut their hair. They wear a turban to hold their hair
2. They always carry a comb
3. They wear a silver bracelet on their wrist
4. They carry a sword or knife wherever they go

I was told by a Sikh that I worked with that his comb and sword were in his turban. They don’t smoke or drink or get high. Sikhs are good, helpful, trustworthy, service oriented people. It may seem to be a stereotype, but It comes from the fact that their religious teaching has formed their world view. They, as a people take it seriously. Probably because of the fact that they cannot hide as a Sikh, they want to be obedient. Sikhs are not terrorists.



  #thoughts on wold views#