What is the Sikh religion?
Sikhism is a religion with roots in Hinduism. Followers of Sikh believe in One God, however, they also believe that all Attributes of God (the entirety of Creation) are themselves divine.
In this way, the Sikh religion is a combination of Monotheism and Polytheism, believing that God is One, and still manifests Himself in every particle of creation.
In my opinion, Hinduism is also a combination of Mono and Polytheism. However, Sikh has taken the idea further, emphasizing that their adherents worship the One God, rather than his Creation.
From Wiki:
In the Gurū Graṅth Sāhib, the Sikh scripture, the concept of the supreme reality is dynamic.
The many pluralities represented by concepts such as nirguṇa-saguṇa or the transcendent-immanent are subsumed in it. God is nirguṇa or without attributes. Yet God is saguṇa or with attributes, too, because in the manifested state all attributes are divine.
At the same time the ultimate reality of God never binds itself to any specific forms of image. Sikhism clearly rejects avatārvād or belief in divine incarnation and idol worship.Sikhism is, simultaneously, a mystical and practical religion. The mysticism is evidenced by it's belief that all things are infused with God essence. It's pragmatic approach is evidenced by it's emphasis on service:
Sikhs are not required to renounce the world.[30] They aspire to live the life of a householder. Seva (selfless service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, very easily observed in the Gurdwara. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where langar (food for all) is always served to people of all origins, the same (vegetarian) food, while sitting together on the same level of the floor.Additionally, Sikhism places an emphasis on the acceptance of other religions and means of self-expression. This has led adherents of Sikhism into the inevitable conflict with Islam:
Protecting the religious and political rights of all people and preventing discrimination is an integral part of the Sikh faith. The 5th Guru Arjan Dev was martyred by the Mughal ruler Jahangir on 16 May 1606 for refusing to convert to Islam. The martyrdom of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji 9th Guru to protect Hindus from religious persecution, in Delhi, on 11 November 1675 AD, is another example of upholding minority religious freedom; he gave his life to protect the right of Kashmiri Hindus to practise their own religion when they were being forced to convert to Islam by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor at the time.Sikhs do not cut their hair. For this reason, the beards of Sikh men tend to be very long. They wrap their long hair in a turban.
This is what a Sikh man looks like:
Islam, on the other hand, stipulates that the Muslim man ought to trim his mustache and let his beard grow. Some Muslim men shave their moustache entirely and let the beard grow, others only trim the moustache.
Many Muslim men believe their beard should be long enough to grasp in their hand, and no longer. This is supported by a Hadith regarding Mohammed's way of shaving:
Ibn 'Umar relates from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that he said: "Do otherwise than those who ascribe partners to Allah (al-mushrikin): leave beards be, and trim mustaches." And ibn 'Umar, when he went on hajj or 'umra, grasped his beard with his hand, and removed what was in excess of it (Sahih al-Bukhari. 9 vols. Cairo 1313/1895. Reprint (9 vols. in 3). Beirut: Dar al-Jil, n.d., 7.206: 5892 and Sahih Muslim, 5 vols. Cairo 1376/1956. Reprint. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1403/1983, 1.222: 259).Muslim men vary greatly in their appearance, but here is what a Muslim man (who is following the Koran and Hadith with regard to shaving) tends to look like:
However, many Muslim men shave their beard and moustache entirely, or have some combination of both, or leave themselves fashionably, and partially, unshaven at all times.
In general, there is not a lot of consistency in the appearance of Muslim men.
Sikhs on the other hand are very consistent in their appearance.
Learn more about Sikhism.
49 comments:
P,
Well done!
This is a better response to the carnage, compared to similar tragedy a couple of years ago.
Let's hope they would do a better job next time!
(I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but to call a spade a spade).
Just to let you know, I don't shave my beard AND moustache too.
What was the similar tragedy of a couple years ago?
I don't recall.
We may have discussed this previoiusly, Abdoos. I studied Philosophy and Religion in college, and have read extensively on the subject in the years since then. Hinduism used to be a specific interest of mine. Sikhism, which seems to be an offshoot of Hinduism, sounds like a pretty cool religion. And, the SIkhs I have met were invariably kind people.
From yahoo.com ;
Since 9/11, Sikh groups in the United States have reported a rise in bias attacks. There have been more than 700 reports of hate-related incidents against Sikhs since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, according to the Associated Press. "Sikhs don't practice the same religion as Muslims," the AP noted, "but their long beards and turbans often cause them to be mistaken for Muslims, advocates say."
P,
I had told you about this, previously.
What was your response? = "It was a mistake... just a single victim.. it was done by a deranged, mentally unstable person" or something to that effect.
Now, the numbers are growing.. and this is making someone to look bad, or else, you won't see the need to 'educate' them.
I hope next, your guys can differentiate between a MOSQUE and a GURDWARA. Or should I let you know too?
The statistic about there having been 700 attacks on Sikhs in the United States since 9/11 means that there have been about 63 attacks per year.
There have been three murders of Sikhs, until now.
There was the one in Arizona, right after 9/11, and there were two more last year in Northern California, if I recall correctly.
There are 500,000 SIkhs in the United States.
In 2010, there were 1239 attacks on Jews in the United States. That is 19.66 times as many attacks per year.
There are 6.5 million Jews in the country, which is 13 times more Jews than Sikhs.
In my opinion, it is frightening that Jews are being attacked with almost as much frequency as Jews, because Jews probably get it worse than anyone else.
P,
You are doing it again.
You are changing the subject, again.
P,
Sure.
And pigs can fly too.
Whatever float your boat.
Are you ok? You're not making any sense.
P,
I believe hatred towards Muslims caused the Sikhs to be murdered. If that is true, this blog is also an accessory to murder. But that could be just me.
Whatever our disagreements be , let's agree on one thing; there's been TOO MANY unnecessary killings.
Once again, what you are saying makes no sense. We report on Sharia and Jihad here. Those are facts of Islam. They are stipulated by the Koran and Hadith, and Islamic nations around the world hold these ideas forth in their law.
Sharia says that gays and apostates should be killed for their "crime" of being gay or of leaving Islam.
That is evil.
Jihad is a doctrine of warfare against anyone who commits the "crime" of working against the implementation of Sharia in more and more areas of the world.
The fact that you would call me an accessory to murder for pointing out these unpleasant facts about the doctrines of Islam means that you are behaving according to Sharia.
Certainly, according to Sharia, I am an accessory to murder.
According to Western Law, I am standing up for Human Rights.
P,
Are you sure you are not mistaking the organizations and the countries with the individuals?
P,
1. I'm calling this blog, not you as "an accessory to murder" for the murder of the Sikhs.
2. Are you saying I'm an evil person for being Muslim? I need to get that right.
This is an old argument between you and I, Abdoos. I'm not going to get on your silly merry-go-round again. Polls have shown that in many countries, the majority of Muslims want Sharia law.
It's not my job to define Islam OR the individuals who follow it's tenets.
Islam determines what it is by how it is administered in nations around the world.
Individuals define who they are by the choices they make.
This blog tells the truth about Islam. If you want to make the case that I am calling for the murder of Muslims by telling the truth about Islam, then you are, according to Sharia law, calling for my death.
In that way, you are acting like a Sharia-espousing Muslim.
If I were you, I would be awful careful about what you say about me and my co-horts. If you call down death on me, you have another thing coming, Abdoos. Be careful with the next words you use.
P,
Let's get this straight;
I would never call on death on anyone, be them gay, apostates, Jews or you guys. As I have said before, all the killings and murders are unnecessary. We may have our disagreements, but I'd never support any move to take a life. That's why I don't even have a gun. Sharia Law? I believe you are more knowledgeable about it than me. You are the one who taught me what TAQUIYYA means, 2 years ago, remember? Threatening on my life would make you no better than the guys you hate.
My points ; Do not kill.
Except in self-defense.
There's been too many death already.
Let's put a stop to it.
P,
Can we agree on my points?
At least as individuals?
(I know you have no control on what Obama decided, which goes the same to me, as I also can't control what people like Osama bin Laden decreed too).
I think you are threatening me. I'm going to weight my options. First thing, I'm going to talk to a Lawyer friend of mine who has contacts in the CIA.
I do not take this lightly, Abdoos.
P,
Funny how you shifted the blame to me. And this comes from a guy who re-directed attacks on Sikhs, to Muslims (as this entry = shows).
Seems to me he is threatening everyone at this blog, Pasto. He says the whole blog, not just you.
So that would include AoW, Epa, WC and all the rest.
And me.
Hmm. . .
Hey Abdooss! Is that you and your kid in that picture? Cute baby, dude.
P,
See? Your goons are starting it. Again.
My points = Do not kill people. Because if you do, your goons will get it screwed up. By killing the wrong people. Again.
I believe the word you are looking for is thugs, not goons.
And what exactly are we starting? We're not the one tossing around threats here.
Sure, yet you won't think twice of harming a cute baby, dude.
Where in the hell did that come from?
I wouldn't harm anyone unless they were intent on harming me or mine. Don't kill ends when self defense begins.
You're just fucking paranoid.
And I stand by what I said.
Cute baby, dude.
And one more thing my knuckleheaded friend.
I ndon't know where you live (nor do I care) but here in the U.S. accusng someone of being an accessory to murder is a very serious charge (threats/perceived threats/paranoia aside). It's a felony charge.
(now don't try to hide behind calling the blog an accessory. an inanimate object can be no such thing therefore you are charging the authors of the blog as the accessory).
If you can't back that up or prove it that's called slander (since it's in print) a civil issue but one which could make us wealthy. Or at least comfortably well off enough to retire (or quit searching for work) and do this blog thing full time. Alot like saying Romney is a tax evader or Harry Reid has been beating his wife. Wanna go there?
And since you brought it up, you support this blog merely by reading it and commenting, even if you don't agree with it.
Therefore by your definition you are aiding and/or abetting what you describe as an accessory to murder.
I don't know how Pasto feels about that and I'll let him handle it as he will.
But I'd say mind your manners, quit casting aspersions and get your facts straight, genius.
WOW. I just sw the comment you left while I was typng my latest.
And I quote
"What makes you look bad is when you killed the Sikhs by mistake."
You just crossed a line you can't cross back.
I have never killed anyone. I have never advocated the killing of anyone.
My daughter has friends who are Sikhs (2 of them) and Muslim (1). I know the difference.
But you, sir, just accused me of murder. Not accessory to, but murder.
"What makes you look bad is when you killed the Sikhs by mistake."
I am astounded that you did that.
Any further conversation should be directed to our attorneys Dewey, Cheatham and Howe.
The good things are;
1) I am not American
2) I am not in the USA
3) I am not an accessory to murder
4) I am not a murderer
5) I don't go around saying anyone is evil, thus implying they should be killed
I think you should stop talking now. You have falsely accused me directly of murder. Don't dig the hole any deeper.
If you wanted to kill me next, I'd appreciate it if you can do it in my sleep.
Thank you for your consideration.
I"m late to this thread. **sigh**
Abdooss said:
I'm calling this blog, not you as "an accessory to murder" for the murder of the Sikhs.
Abdooss,
You need to seek treatment. You are suffering from delusions.
And....
Wade Michael Page was a white supremacist.
This site has taken a strong stand against such ethnocentricity.
Besides, Page's vile deeds may have more to do with race than with turbans.
Back again to check the comments-notification box. A valuable convenience.
In this thread, Abdoos has called us
1) "Accesories to Murder"
2) Murderers
3) Murderers Children
In an Islamic land, the mere accusation of being a Murderer, etc. is called "stirring up mischief in the land" and is punishable by death.
Therefore, Abdoos is calling death down on us.
HE IS THREATENING US.
I'm seeing my Lawyer this morning.
Please update me. (Though I can't see what your lawyers can do outside of USA's soil and jurisdiction).
My Lawyer is going to talk to some people in the CIA about you, Abdoos.
It is going to be made clear to you that you can't just go making empty threats.
Wow, it's getting more interesting.
Can I expect drones or helicopters near my house tonight?
Please do update me.
P,
While you are at it, please ask your lawyers to contact the FBI too.
They might be interested to know the connections between the attack at the Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) and you guys.
Abdoos,
You want the FBI involved?
How about Homeland Security as well?
I have two family members who are FBI, a dear friend who is DHS, and another close friend who is security for the State Department. I'm not speaking of cyber folks, either. I'm speaking of real-life friends and family.
Pasto,
Feel free to phone me.
AOW,
FBI won't do us any good, as Abdoos lives in Malaysia.
But, the CIA will definitely be re-arranging his life from now on.
Drones are the least of your worries, Abdoos.
This is a waste of breath.
Given the # of actual attacks by complete ignoramuses, for reasons other than being crazy all we can conclude is that Sikhs should look after their own security (AS MANY SYNAGOGUES HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DO) because neither logic, nor egalitarian, nor liberal principles will affect the kind of people running around shooting or attacking those who look or act differently.
These attacks occur EVERYWHERE. The offenders and victims simply change. In a few places, the ME, Nigeria, south asia, Thailand these kind of attacks are incited and semi organized, or organized, and not just carried out by crazies.
Such attacks CAN BE STOPPED.
Anyone want to bet a lot of sikhs are buying handguns right now?
AND GOOD.
If that doesn't deter the skinheads douchebags, the I hope someone pumps the next moron full of lead, and GOOD RIDDANCE.
If that is hate, so be it
Don't look now.
You''re in serious trouble, Abdoos.
It won't be what you would expect, Abdoos. It will be a subtle dampening of your life, of your dreams, and ultimately of your ability to carry out and execute the aims of your will.
You will be rendered powerless, and you will be perceived as a fool.
You are shut out.
Your persistent threats will no longer be tolerated here.
You''ve lived quite a life, Abdoos. Wow.
The things one learns when one knows how to go about getting information.
P,
I would like to apologize to you guys. I realized you guys can't be held responsible for other people's crimes.
I snapped because lives was lost. Unnecessary deaths.
I hope it will never happen again, be it in the USA or anywhere on earth.
If you guys can't forgive me, I understand. I just need to get it off my chest.
Thanks, Abdoos. I appreciate it. Consider it forgotten.
P,
I really appreciate it.
Thank you for your patience.
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