Day: August 1, 2008

Sikhism is an independent religion and it is not a sect of Islam or Hinduism

  

  Many people think that Sikhism is a sect of Islam or Hinduism and many others think that Sikhism is a combination of Islam and Hinduism  even because  it seems whenever white people or any other person from any race looks at their turbans and dasthaaraa, pugaa and dhumala’s they think they  are simply Muslims because they  have a Turban and others think we are Hindus because of THE  FACT OF GURU NANAK DEV JI CAME FROM A HINDU FAMILY. Well they are basically unrelated. Sikhism clearly differs a lot from them as well especailly in women’s rigths.    

What really do Sikhs themselves now say about their relgion?Supposedly God sent Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the this world in order to enlighten Hindus and Muslims that they are merely fighting with each other trying to prove that their religion is superior. Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached that one does not have to be in a certain religion to meet God. It does not matter which religion one belongs to, as long as one performs true worship and meditation, he or she is capable of meeting with God. As proclaimed by God, Guru Nanak Dev Ji introduced a true immaculate way in order to attain salvation and be one with God.  Whoever followed the way of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was known as Sikh. Many Hindus and Muslims joined Guru Nanak Dev Ji and became his follower. Sikhism is an independent way to meet God, which does not derive any ritual from either Hinduism or Islam, however there are some similarities in the rituals and beliefs which are clarified below. Sikhism is an individual faith established by God through Sikh Gurus and it is completely wrong to consider Sikhism as a part or combination of either Hinduism or Islam.

Guru Nanak considers himself neither Hindu nor Muslim. He did not follow Hindu rituals and nor did he join Islamic law. As commanded by God, Guru Nanak introduced a true faith, whose sole purpose is the love towards God. Guru Nanak Dev Ji denounced the superstitions followed by Hindu and Muslims and told them to worship God instead of considering their religion superior.

Many Hindus and Muslims consider their religion superior but Guru Nanak Dev Ji instructed to focus on meditation of God instead of glorifying a religion. Bhai Gurdas narrates one instance when Hindus and Muslims asked Guru Nanak about was greater among them. “Priest from both Hinduism and Islam got together and began discussing religion. A great fantasy has been created and no one could understand its mystery. They asked Guru Nanak to open and search in his scripture whether Hindu is great or the Muslim. Guru replied that, without good deeds both will have to weep and wail. Only by being a Hindu or a Muslim one cannot get accepted in the kingdom of God. As the color of safflower is impermanent and is washed away in water, likewise the colors of religiosity are also temporary.” (Bhai Gurdas Ji’s Vaars 1). Guru Nanak Himself said, “The Hindu comes to the house of a Hindu. By reading the scriptures, he puts on the sacred thread. He puts on the thread, but does evil deeds. Not by taking baths he will be approved in the Kingdom of God. The Muslim glorifies his own faith. Without following the Guru, he will not be accepted in the Kingdom of God. Only a few people follow even if they are shown the way” (Guru Granth Sahib, 951).

Following are the reasons how Sikhism is different from both Hinduism and Islam:

1. Hindus worship Demi-Gods like Shiva, Bramhma, Krishna, Vishnu, Kali, Durga, Ganesh and others. Sikhism instructs to believe in One Almighty God. “The performance of countless millions of other devotions is not even equal to one devotion to the Name of God” (Guru Granth Sahib, 1163). [ More … ]

2. Hindus perform idol worship. Sikhism instructs not to perform idol worship and not to worship anyone else besides God. Guru Granth Sahib Ji is Sikhs’ Holy Scripture. Sikhs bow their head in the Gurdwara to Guru Granth Sahib as a sign of respect but Sikhs do not worship the scriptures. Guru Ji is the spiritual teacher of Sikhs and shows the way to meet God. Guru Nanak instructs that idol worship will not lead one to salvation. [ More … ]

3. Hindus practice caste system. Hindu society is divided into four basic caste clusters. People are ranked according to their caste and are considered either superior or inferior. Sikhism instructs to consider all humans equal regardless of caste, color, race, class and gender. [ More … ]

4. Muslims believe in polygamy and they even marry their cousins. By Islamic law Muslims can have up to four wives. Guru Nanak Dev Ji completely denounced these activities and instructed to be wedded to one person only.

5. Muslims indulge in animal sacrifices and Guru Nanak told them that this would not bring any good. Killing God’s creations in the Name of God is totally ironic. [ More … ]

6. Muslims do not give women equal status. However, Sikhism instructs to give women equal status. [ More … ]

7. Muslims makes fast and consider the month of Ramadan holy. Sikhism instructs that making your body suffer will not help you to meet God. Sikhism tells that meditation of God is above all.

8. Both Hindus and Muslims cut their hair. Sikhs however do not cut their hair as a respect towards God and live the way God made us. [ More … ]

9. Both Hindus and Muslims consider their religion superior. Guru Nanak Dev Ji instructed to focus on meditation of God instead of glorifying a religion. To the Muslims Guru Nanak says, “The Muslims praise the Islamic law; they read and reflect upon it but God’s bound servants are those who bind themselves to see God” (Guru Granth Sahib, 465).

10. Both Hindus and Muslim make pilgrimages. Sikhism instructs to search for God inside your heart. One does not need to go to Pilgrimages in order to be close to God. In addition, Sikhism instructs that taking bath at pilgrimages do not wash sins. Bathing at Ganga, and Triveni does not clean your soul. The only way to clean your soul is to meditate on God. [ More … ]

11. Moreover, Sikhism instructs the purpose of life. The purpose of this life is to become one with God, to merge in the One whom we originated from. [ More … ]

12. Finally, Sikhism shows the way to attain salvation and become One with God. Sikhism says that you do not have to fast, abstain, go on renunciation or enter a monastery in order to meet God. All you have to do is have faith, recite the Name of God and remember Him for each possible moment. Guru Ji themselves got married and lived a family life and showed everyone that you can meet God while living a family life. Furthermore, Guru Ji said that your mind has to be detached from this world, you have to look this world as a temporary place, you will not be here forever, one day you will have to die. What you do while you are alive is critical, so make your decisions wisely. Furthermore, you do not have to detach yourself from this world physically, you can lead a normal family life and still be able to meet God. [ More … ]

Guru Nanak Dev Ji laid the foundation of Sikhism as instructed by God. The next nine Guru sent to this world by God, strengthened the roots of Sikhism and enlightened people to meditate on One God only. Many people found the true meaning of Sikhism and those who did join and embraced Sikhism with love. Sikhism tells everyone to get rid of egotism, anger, greed, and materialistic things. Sikhism tells everyone to live a humble life and worship God. God sees all and your worship will be fruitful with time.

It is completely ridiculous to consider Sikhism a sect of any other religion. Just like you wouldn’t consider Christianity a sect of Buddhism, you should not consider Sikhism a sect of either Islam or Hinduism or a combination of both.

Related Topics
How is Sikhism a religion created by God? What does Sikhism tells about the image or description of God? According to Sikhism, how can one attain salvation? What kind of life one should lead to attain salvation? What is the purpose of life? Do Sikhs believe in equality of all humanity? What does Sikhism say about the Caste System followed by Hindus? What does Sikhism say about the practice of animal sacrifice performed by Hindus and Muslims? What does Sikhism say about the worship of animals (cow, snake, elephant) performed by Hindus? What does Sikhism say about the idol worship of demi-gods (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, etc.) performed by Hindus? What does Sikhism say about the pilgrimages made by Hindus and Muslims?

http://www.realsikhism.com/faq/combination.html

What others say

“Islam as a religion aiming to oppress women is a direct result of the abuse of Islam by some Muslim states, depending on the absolute respect given to religion by Muslim societies. In fact, Islamic law, if interpreted outside of its proper context, could be abused to justify and codify the violations of women’s rights in Muslim societies and states in the name of religion, in order to achieve certain social and political goals. The central question that poses itself, is whether there already exists a space for women to enjoy their human rights under the umbrella of Islam, or whether in general, men “have a degree” over women in Islam (Abdul-Ati). If some people are arguing that Islam ensures equity between men and women in both rights and duties, then what does it mean when the Qur’an, which is the standard revelatory source of Islamic Law, says: “And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage in some cases of inheritance) over them,” (Qur’an 2:228). How would those people explain the meaning of that “degree” that men have over women? Is it because of that revelatory verse that some Muslim societies until now treat women as second-degree creatures in the name of Islam?  The existence of some specific women’s rights in Islam is now obvious, and provided with a good argument, but how about polygamy in Islam? Is it true that a Muslim man has the right to marry up to four wives? Where is equity, then? What does it mean when the Qur’an states that a Muslim man, if he has the potential, can choose to marry one or two or three, or even four women (Badawi)? Does it mean that women are that marginalized and humiliated by the name of the religion?”

http://takingitglobal.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=2393

A local  person was offended that Sikhs were  worldwide, in Canada too, automatically and wrongfully often associated with Muslim terrorists and had asked me to clarify it to all. One of my interesting discovery was that Sikhs claim to give equal recognition, rights to all women as they do to men, mind you I have often been to Sikh food stores and the Sikh Husband was clearly the Boss still. 

It is a sad note as well that both religious persons of all the minor, major religions too, and non religious persons, at least 90 percent of them,  have been, or are still unacceptably guilty of false the  discriminations of others, even too often the accusers of the others.
 

There is still a serious, real need in changing the Muslim countries’  laws, agendas,  in order to fill the gap between the supposed women’s rights afforded by Islam, and women’s rights afforded  in reality by many of the Muslim societies, and most Muslim males  have to accept  some serious religious even re-education..      

 

“My beloved wife oftentimes reminds my family to regard her with respect to her mind, but my mama and papa laugh at her. What can I say to my wife to stop her from slapping them down in anger? “.  If husband can divorce his wife by saying 3 talak at a time & marriage is over, then how does Islam protect women’s right? Many husbands do abuse their divorce power.   All the Muslim men who claim to be Muslims and abuse the women supposedly do not even know well their own religion or do not practice it?  and for too many Muslim men it seems also it does not matter what Islam says because he is only following what pleases him, his interests, his interpreations of the laws.. sad.. Also since Islam came supposedly with higher moral laws to correct those of the Jahiliyyah, why didn’t Islam abolish enslaving women and children at times of war?  Any abuse of anyone by anyone still  is unacceptable. ” Everytime I ask my dad to open a bank account for me, he says I am a girl and therefore I should not get a bank account, while my younger brother has a bank account…” all about the true side of Islam.
 
“O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. Surah 4 Verse 19″

…They (Your wives) are your garments and ye are their garments. …. Surah 2 Verse 187

“Among the Muslims, the most perfect as regards his faith is the one whose character is most excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.” 

While there are some common, rare similarity amongst some of the major religions in this world, The aspect of divorce is clearly one that contrasts them all.. for a True Christian divorce is not permitted at all.. even if many Christians falsely practice it.
 
It is true that there are many Muslims, men as well as women, who fully do not live up to the teachings of Islam, just as there are many Christian men and women who do not live up to the teachings of Jesus. You must always still judge any person  now by what they say, but  by what they do. Bad people do bad things, no matter what their religion is now too. Also real Reform from within Muslim societies is still even needed, first by education, knowing that over half of Muslims today,  are illiterate, only 15 percent know  Arabic, which is the language of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. Too Many  persons do practice their own version of Christianity, and Islam it seems thus, wrongfully practise what others have said it says too..
 
Note: Sikhism now also like Mormons, Hindus, Jehovah Witnesses, Islam , Buddhism, and many others  too are  a cult, sect  that bears no genuine relationship to Christianity too. It does not follow the Christian Bible too. One cannot help but notice how so many of these religions differ but now they still do claim to be originated with God. A true God is certainly not so confused that he has started all these various, different and false religions.

Do also see

 https://postedat.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/as-to-what-is-a-christian/

http://thefocusonthefamily.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/marriage/

http://groups.msn.com/Jesussayscome  

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More Food for thought

The world is seeking scientists.  The Church is seeking scholars.  But God is seeking his true prophets.
 
Where is the power of God that we see in the Prophets, in Christ and in the Apostles? And  what  are we  doing  that is now different in the Church  from that  I read of in the book of Acts in the Bible?  

(Psa 63:1) O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
(Psa 63:2) To see thy power and thy glory, so  as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
(Psa 63:3) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
(Psa 63:4) Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
(Psa 63:5) My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
(Psa 63:6) When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
(Psa 63:7) Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

 
    
Isaiah 63:4-6 For the day of vengeance (The day of fire) is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (The day of redemption of the little ones) And I looked, and there was none to help; (No man) and I wondered that there was none to uphold: (No intercessor) therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people (The unrighteous, unholy, gentile church) in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. (Till they are no more – blotted out or their candlestick is removed)
 
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3. “And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7.  
     
Luke 4:14 “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.” Over the years many have questioned the lack of power in their Baptism of the Holy Spirit as opposed to what they read in Scripture and the New Testament and here we have the answer that has been in plain sight for all to see all along and in quite concrete terms –
  
For in the hour when famine sweeps the land He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land those in His harness shall not be afraid for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven faLet us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin and then shall we abide in His House forever!   Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin and then shall we abide in His House forever!
 
There were ten virgins, but like many groups of people, there was a line of division among them.  Let us consider the following: they were ALL virgins, separated from the world, or stated another way, they were ALL saved. They ALL had lamps lit and burning, filled with the blessings of God, letting their lights shine as they went. They were ALL called to the wedding feast, and they ALL came, unlike those in the parable of the feast where they that were bidden ALL made excuses. They ALL definitely loved the Lord, and they ALL were ready as they lined up to wait for Him. The five foolish cried in dismay, “Our lamps are going out!” It was not something they wanted at all. They asked to share, which under other circumstances was the Christian thing to do. But this oil was something that could not be shared. It has been said many times that in God, good things, even “Christian things” are the enemy of God’s best! Good things can ruin you. What you do not know can hurt you, just as it did to those five. I would like to suppose that part of the answer to this problem for the ten virgins is that the five foolish were relying on their present experience—which suddenly dried up, whereas the five wise virgins had a reserve for the time of drought: something they had paid a price for earlier. They may not have even been aware of it but they had it with them in their hour of need. This something that the five had in their possession caused God to acknowledge them. Its lack in the five foolish caused Him to respond, “I never (intimately) knew you.  The oil it definitely speaks of a personal relationship with the Lord since He stated that He did not know those who did not have it when He came.

Choice of the Godly

In the prophet Isaiah we find a gripping statement. Isaiah 56:3-5 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Too many wolves in sheep clothing in the churches today

We live in an epidemic of adultery fornication divorce and abortion in the church. – the reason we live in such an epidemic in the church is that Christians of every stripe. Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics, have no foundation of the rock of the Word of God in their life. Most believers that I have met have never once read the bible cover to cover. They have come to believe that if they mumble a few words about accepting Christ in their heart, that it is now all good, that they have passed from death unto life, and so they do not have to worry anymore about such mundane things as their having to obey the Words and Commandments of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.  Nothing could be father from the truth, disobedience and rebellion no matter where when or what you may have mumbled at some point of your life – brings forth eternal death in your soul.   (Mat 7:13 KJV)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.15   Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. One in five abortions in this nation last year were done by people who declared themselves to be Evangelicals or Born Again.  Nearly half or 46% of all babies in the City of Brotherly love were dismembered and brutally killed by means of abortion. Moreover, there are twenty-five other major urban cities in America that report having a higher abortion rate than live birth rate.  Issues4Life Foundation reported 49% percent of all abortions are African-American though we only make up 12% of the population.  It is an amazing and terrible thing when in a single generation the Church (And we are speaking here of Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics) — have exceeded the lost in fornication, have exceeded the lost in divorce, have exceeded the lost in adultery, and now have exceeded the lost in abortion.  Galatians 5:18-23 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  (Paul repeats this again. The list above is a list of disqualifications for salvation.) Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers (Fornicators) and adulterers God will judge. (Destroy) James 2:10-12 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

 
Diane Dew’s Bible Studies

Psalm 40:7-8 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Isaiah 42:1-2 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.