Is Atheism Compatible With Sikhism

Dildar · #1 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 02:04 AM

I am trying to understand how much atheism is compatible with sikhism.
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Scarlet Pimpernel · #2 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 03:08 AM

Sikhism started with Guru Nanak exclaiming There is One God !
(He did not say there might be a God!)

Randip Singh · #3 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlet Pimpernel

Sikhism started with Guru Nanak exclaiming There is One God !
(He did not say there might be a God!)

Well Ek Onkar Satnam the opening lines of the Sikh prayer, can be translated in two ways:

1) There is but one god and truth is its name.

2) There is but one constant and truth is its name.

Take your pick

For me they mean the same thing.

Scarlet Pimpernel · #4 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 03:41 AM

Veer Ji I was referring to Ek Onkaar as I have not translated that yet ,may be I will get to Satnaam one day.I have a feeling it is to be transfused instead.

Kanwaljit Singh · #5 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 03:45 AM

Guru Granth Sahib says that God and Creation exist, a definition beyond our imagination, someone believing or not believing in them doesn't affect God or creation either.

I will give you another example. You have an argument with someone. You are about to slap the other person, but something inside you asks you to stay put and let it pass. We don't care how you understand that, your conscience, soul, inner voice or God. But all Sikhi asks is to praise it for helping and hold on to it!

Scarlet Pimpernel · #6 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 04:02 AM

Quote:

You are about to slap the other person, but something inside you asks you to stay put and let it pass.

Veera that example does not prove him as much as it proves an instinct in us to avoid conflict ,but the fact that you have the capacity to love and so feel to hug another being does go some way to prove their is Intelligent Design,I suppose an Atheist would see love as a genetic survival mechanism.

Kamala · #7 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 05:16 AM

No, or else ek onkar would be useless.

findingmyway · #8 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 07:11 AM

Here is a related thread
http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/atheis...ate-sikhi.html

harry haller · #9 (**permalink**) 15-May-2012, 16:17 PM

Dildarji

After 15 years as an atheist and just over a year as a Sikh, I would say that atheism has no resemblance whatsoever to the Sikhism that most of us were brought up in, however, I feel it has a huge resemblance to the Sikhism that started life in the mind of Guru Nanakji. In fact, if you give the word 'God' its true Abrahamic meaning, you will find that a lot of Sikhs believe in a Creator, a Creative force, an energy, a divine order, that has no relationship with the image of God that a lot of people have, a vengeful, jealous, angry, personality ridden deity.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/atheism/38491-is-atheism-compatible-with-sikhism.html

As a Sikh, I believe that this force, this energy, WaheGuru, shows me the way to truth and truthful living, I have to confess I do not worship this force, nor am I in awe, or in fear, I feel only love for this force, and a desire to emulate, to copy the facets of this force, to be in tune, in line with it.

It means I have no access to all the fun things in religion, reincarnation, meditation, a desire to show others how holy I am through what I eat, magic, rituals, miracles, the changing of this divine order through prayer, the asking of the order for favours, doing deals, no..., all I have is the truth and love
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38491

Something I have always admired about atheists is that truly good atheists, and there are a lot about, do good for the joy of doing good, for the love, with no expectation of any reward or pat on the back. I have attempted to implement this reason for doing good now that I am Sikh, as I feel Sikhi stands for unconditional love more than any other facet, and for one reason only, to give, and to feel pleasure in giving, I find this easier to do by depersonalising God

hope that helps, my view only.....