I was following some interesting articles posted by “The Watcher”, and reading them I would have to agree that none of those articles were in no way offensive (as precluded by Rani and Banta Singh). In addition, I am a Sikh person, and I’ve seen very common similarities between Sikhism and Islam.
In summary.
Sikhism
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Montheistic. Belief in One God, he is the truth, the all-powerful etc.
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No idol-worship, although these days some Sikhs put pictures of the Guru’s, although the Guru’s are not divine entity of God, but as the first Guru Nanak Dev Ji had said, that noone is to be worshipped but God himself. Therefore, Sikh’s who do have paintings and such of the Guru’s are in fact disobeying the first rule!
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Sikh’s are actually allowed to eat meat, regardless of what any orthodox Sikh says. Sikhism doesn’t specifically say whether meat should be eaten or not. All that is said is not to eat “Halal” meat, as Sikh’s find it a cruel butchery to an animal who has lost his life for your hunger. Instead to make it peaceful for the animal, a quick kill is sufficient , hence the term “Jhatka”, and that is what Sikh’s eat, “Jhatka” meat, and it can be of any animal, usually Goat. In addition, the Nihang Sikh’s encourage the eating of meat. In addition, Guru Nanak was also a meat-eater.
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No-Alcohol. This is specifically mentioned, due to the fact being intoxicated doesn’t let you have a true relationship with God, you’re not really praying/meditating if you’re drunk, in addition it also would make you clumsy in Battle. Although, not being a very religious Sikh. I drink alcohol.
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No Pork. This usually comes as a personal preference. Due to the fact, Pork is simply meat of an animal that frolics in it’s own feces and consumes it’s own fesces. Hence the term “you are what you eat”, if a pig eats feces, he thus is feces, if you eat pig (which is feces), you are
fecus, clever but true.
Differences from Islam.
Concept of Reincarnation.
Cremation instead of Burial.
Sikhism is a religion that has inherited varioius traits from Islam and Hinduism, it in no way has tried to ‘pick’ out the best aspects out of both, but it was a reform from both into one, thus the concept of Reincarnation was inherited from Hinduism. Although, I don’t understand why, this is left to my other Sikh brothers who have studied the Granth Sahib more than me.
Cremation is simply done on the basis that the Guru’s said that your body is simply the vehicle of your soul. It really has no importance, however it should be respected as God has given you your body for a reason. That is why cremation is done, since Sikhism doesn’t see any reason to keep a dead body of a person, when it’s the soul that is more important.
Sikhism does fortell any sort of future. It is designed for people to live an honest, hard working life today. To set goals, and achieve them and to help the growing of society. There is no “judgement” day, life simply goes on as a cycle of death and re-birth.
Arai