Huck Finn ji
I do hope you will answer Tejwant ji's quesitons with more specificity. You ask "Why be part of an institution? That is a fair question in another context.
If the discussion were "Why Choose Religion?" or why be a member of any organized religion, then I think your question invites a reasonable response. Of course I am assuming that religion is a formal institution in making my remarks.
Are you saying that being part of an institution is a waste of time and energy? How are you defining "institution?"
But should anyone have to justify the decision to convert or continue to be an adherent of any formal religion? Why should someone have to do that just because someone else feels that being part of an institution is a waste of time? I don't know if you do see formal religion in that way.
Beyond that observation --- the thread is about the dilemmas faced by westerners who are considering converting to Sikhism. How does asking "Why be part of an institution?" address the original concern.
