Are we loosing our identity?

KChehal · #1 (**permalink**) 06-Apr-2007, 05:33 AM

Waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

Every other day we get news about sikhs converting to other religion either by trick or otherwise. We hear about the muslims trying to covert sikhs by giving a monetary reward. We hear ex sikhs praising other religion which transformed their life by performing miracle on them and their immediate family. Our youngsters not being able to communiate in punjabi but speak english only. Our youngsters even both sikhs when meet one another communicate in English when others emphasise the speaking and practising of their religion strictly. Sikhs cutting their hair, not going to the gurdwara. Only go if there is a wedding or family function etc. the other day I came across a Hindu website which criticise the sikhs and one of them said these words " There will be day when their women will either marry us or be converted by the muslims. They will only be remembered as people who once existed". This is really frightening. Are we heading towards this disaster? Are we going to be people who once existed like the INCA or Mayan?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/15231-are-we-loosing-our-identity.html

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bawaj · #2 (**permalink**) 06-Apr-2007, 09:48 AM

You raise valid points and I think this matter needs to be addressed. however, I am a Sikh youth and I have kept my hair but I do not go to the gurudwara. The main reason is that there is a serious disconnect between the care takers of the gurudwara, who are mostly from an older generation and the younger generation. the care takers of the gurudwara continue to create pressures that I am not comfortable with. I will give you an example, i attended a sikhi class at the gurudwara once and the first things they said to the class was that if you are not amrit chakh then you are not a true sikh. When I raised the issue that most of the students in the class were young children... such pressures on them (of doing path every morning at 6 am and being amrit chakh) is not good because after all they are kids and they dont understand the first thing about religion, the teacher told me to leave the class. So you see when kids feel such aggressive pressure at that young age they are bound to disconnect from the religion.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15231
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15231
I feel that in the attempt to save sikhism we are in fact pushing younger generation away from the religion as a consequence of the pressure.
Sikhism is not an easy religion to practice, especially keeping full hair in the 21st century so we must approach this matter with extreme care and patience.

Please let me know what you think

kds1980 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-Apr-2007, 14:56 PM

dear chehal ji

it is not sikhism that is facing these problems. all religions are facing these problems.
go to hindu sites and you will see that hindu's crying that younger generation is not practising hinduism and dalits are converting to christianity.

as far as cutting hair is concerned it is a fact that younger generation of any religion is not interested in keeping external symbols.take a look at islam mohammed clearly recommended that all muslims should keep beards but 99% of muslim men just shave it.

also i beleive that sikh media exagerate these issue too much that's why feel that sikh's are converting to other religions.here is the survey which i posted some time back according to it sikhs are the most religious community of india,more religious
than muslims

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-m...-of-india.html

kds1980 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-Apr-2007, 15:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawaj

You raise valid points and I think this matter needs to be addressed. however, I am a Sikh youth and I have kept my hair but I do not go to the gurudwara. The main reason is that there is a serious disconnect between the care takers of the gurudwara, who are mostly from an older generation and the younger generation. the care takers of the gurudwara continue to create pressures that I am not comfortable with. I will give you an example, i attended a sikhi class at the gurudwara once and the first things they said to the class was that if you are not amrit chakh then you are not a true sikh. When I raised the issue that most of the students in the class were young children... such pressures on them (of doing path every morning at 6 am and being amrit chakh) is not good because after all they are kids and they dont understand the first thing about religion, the teacher told me to leave the class. So you see when kids feel such aggressive pressure at that young age they are bound to disconnect from the religion.
I feel that in the attempt to save sikhism we are in fact pushing younger generation away from the religion as a consequence of the pressure.
Sikhism is not an easy religion to practice, especially keeping full hair in the 21st century so we must approach this matter with extreme care and patience.

Please let me know what you think

dear bawaj

excellent post .what you said is absolutely true if there is threat to sikhism
then it is not from rss,muslims,christians.it is mainly from the orthodox attituide of religious sikhs.they are pushing younger generation away from sikhism and when they convert to other religions or go to other cults like radhasoami,nirankari's then these people start wondering what is happening to sikhism.

Harjas Kaur Khalsa · #5 (**permalink**) 07-Apr-2007, 15:22 PM

Quote:

what you said is absolutely true if there is threat to sikhism then it is not from rss,muslims,christians.it is mainly from the orthodox attituide of religious sikhs.they are pushing younger generation away from sikhism and when they convert to other religions or go to other cults like radhasoami,nirankari's then these people start wondering what is happening to sikhism.

Thats so strange to hear these viewpoints, and all this talk about Sikhi dying because the kids and young people I know about are in chardi kala.

YouTube - Kurbani

YouTube - Kaurs United Video 2006

YouTube - Priceless - Being a Sikh by Sat Bir Singh (Age 24)

YouTube - three sikh heros tribute

How to Tie a Sikh Style Turban - Dhamala /Dumalla #1 - Google Video

YouTube - Learn How To Tye a Goll (Round) Sikh Turban

Keertan Bhai Harpreet Singh Jee Fremont CA Ransbaee 03-18-06 - Google Video

Keertan Bhai Prabhjot Singh JeeToronto Ransbaee July 2005 - Google Video

YouTube - Amazing and beautiful Keertan & Simran by a Child

PROUD TO BE SIKH!

Lionchild · #6 (**permalink**) 08-Apr-2007, 00:03 AM

Sadly... what identity? the punjabi or sikhi? i have seen alot of stuff going on in the sikh community that i do not like, and more and more, i am happy that i am distancing myself from all of this.

That is why as of 5 days ago, i have officially given up the sikhi way of life, and gone with a more progressive community, which is the bahai faith.

In the 14 months of sikhi, i thought what i found was for me, but on closer look, the message that was being spread was designed not for the world, but for only one cultural community.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15231
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15231

I have already declared my faith in the bahai, and have made many friends. At least i dont have to learn a new language, and dont have to change my name.

It was time for me to move on...

dalsingh · #7 (**permalink**) 08-Apr-2007, 04:24 AM

Sad to see you go Lion Child.

drkhalsa · #8 (**permalink**) 08-Apr-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

I have already declared my faith in the bahai, and have made many friends. At least i dont have to learn a new language, and dont have to change my name.

Cheer up man!

what ever timeless God has chosen to happen in your life is best for the moment and the moments to come

So dont be in SAD mood .
BEst of luck yet again on your spirtual journey

It will be excellent idea although you are distancing from sikhism you can keep in touch with the forum and keep us informed about your new faith
we may learn from expereiences

Best of Luck and best wishes !

Jatinder Singh

cia · #9 (**permalink**) 09-Apr-2007, 03:44 AM

Lionchild, I will miss your thoughts; when it is time to go it is best to leave. I wish you well and send a bubble of kindness as you find your true home.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=15231

cia