Why are people converting to Sikhism?

Astroboy · #1 (**permalink**) 01-Jul-2012, 21:25 PM

A Punjabi cultural Sikh (me, astroboy) wants to know what draws people to the Sikh faith. An article which I just read only increases my curiosity as what really interests people from other faiths to be drawn to Sikhism.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/38730-why-are-people-converting-to-sikhism.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

Here's the article I am talking about:

http://www.rt.com/news/white-sikhs-f...th-in-sikhism/

Please pour out your genuine views here.
*

Astroboy · #2 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 00:15 AM

You know, sometimes I feel that people who are born in Christianity just need a change and if the flood-gates were open for change-over amongst Sikhs and Christians, there will be more converting to Sikhism than the other way around. Correct me if I am wrong.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

White Former Christian Girl Accepts Love of Waheguru And Sikhism - Testimony - YouTube

Astroboy · #3 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 00:45 AM

A comparative study on the concepts as presented in Christianity and Sikhism. This article was written to open the eyes of unsuspecting Punjabi-born Sikhs about the conversion tactics of Evangelists.
Beware the Evangelist
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730
http://www.info-sikh.com/PageEvan1.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

Attention to Narayanjot Kaur Ji

Your presence is highly needed as you are THE advocate to deal with a debate (if it arises).

Humbly requested by: astroboy a.k.a. namjap

Astroboy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 01:36 AM

There's one constant I find in converts into Sikhism. It is the women who convert and lead the way for their families especially their children. For example, Sat Kirin Kaur, the mother of Gurumustuk Singh is widely talked about while nothing about her husband is said. As a general principle, I think Sikhism appeals to especially women as compared to other religions.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

Could it be because the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji praises women whereas it is not so in other religious scriptures?

Quotes from Sri Guru Granth Sahib
In praise of women.
"We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings? The woman is born from woman; there is none without her. Only the One True Lord is without woman" (Guru Nanak Dev, Var Asa, pg. 473)
Marriage is an equal partnership of love and sharing between husband and wife.
"They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies." (Guru Amar Das, Pauri, pg. 788)
Women have an equal right to participate in the congregation.
"Come my sisters and dear comrades! Clasp me in thine embrace. Meeting together, let us tell the tales of our Omnipotent Spouse (God). In the True Lord are all merits, in us all demerits." (Guru Nanak Dev, Sri Rag, pg. 17)
God is the husband and we are all his brides.
"The spouse is but One and all others are His brides. The false bride assumes many religious garbs. When the Lord stops her going into another's home, then is she summoned into her Lord's mansion without any let and hindrance. She is adorned with the Name and is dear to her True Lord. She alone is the true bride and the Lord lends her His support." (Guru Nanak Dev, Ramkali, pg. 933)
God is our Mother as well as our Father.
"Thou O Lord, art my Father and Thou my Mother. Thou art the Giver of peace to my soul and very life." (Guru Arjan Dev, Bhairo, pg. 1144)
Faithfulness to ones spouse is stressed.
"The blind-man abandons the wife of his home, and has an affair with another's woman. He is like the parrot, who is pleased to see the simbal tree, but at last dies clinging to it." (Bhagat Nam Dev, Bhairo, pg. 1165)
The rape and brutalities committed against women by the Mughal invader Babar condemned.
"Modesty and righteousness both have vanished and falsehood moves about as the leader, O Lalo. The function of the Qazis and the Brahmins is over and the Satan now reads the marriage rites (rape). The Muslim women read the Quran and in suffering call upon God, O Lalo. The Hindu women of high cast and others of low caste, may also be put in the same account, O Lalo." (Guru Nanak Dev, Tilang, pg. 722)
The practice of women burning themselves on their husband's funeral pyre (sati) condemned.
"They cannot be called satis, who burn themselves with their dead husbands. They can only be called satis, if they bear the shock of separation. They may also be known as satis, who live with character and contentment and always show veneration to their husbands by remembering them." (Guru Amar Das, Var Suhi, pg. 787)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730
The ritual of dowry so prevalent in Indian society condemned.
"Any other dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gilding. O' my Father! give me the Name of Lord God as a gift and dowry." (Guru Ram Das, Sri Rag, pg. 79)

(The above quotes extracted from (http://www.sikhee.com/womenandsikhism.htm)

Luckysingh · #5 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 05:43 AM

I'm not too sure if praising women may be a huge factor instigating conversions.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730
But I will tell you what I am very sure about!!
In this day, if a religion were to come forward and praise people that are GAY!, then this would lead to a massive conversion all around the world.peacesignkaur
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

So maybe there's a baba or dera out there looking for new ways to get more followers and more money, well they can now comfortably have a plan B if plan A fails!!!!!

Luckysingh · #6 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 08:59 AM

The highest number of conversions are to 'no religion', infact more people are leaving religions to become atheist. These conversions to sikhism are nowhere near the conversions to christianity and islam.
However, when looking at actual numbers some results may be misleading because we have to take into account other factors such as birth rate which is 3 fold for islam as their numbers of newborn are 3 times as high than others!!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730
Other factors are, the numbers that drop out of other religions to convert compared to the numbers converting that have no religion initially.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

With sikhism itsel,f I personally think that the numbers disregarding sikhism including drop outs and younger generations that have no regard or couldn't care less are infact much higher than the numbers converting into the religion.

I have not consulted any figures and have made the statements above from general knowledge of awareness. So if I got something very wrong, I apologise!!
But in my opinion this is how the majority see it!

mariposazul · #7 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 10:57 AM

WJKK WJKF,

As someone who falls under this category, I will share only my own experience. I cannot speak for the rest.

1. As a human: Despite the obvious historical facts of how various religions have caused more harm than good in the world, I find that if used as it should be, religion can serve as an important tool for the spiritual development of a person. So for me, religion was always been a factor in my life. Not always practiced, and that is when a lot of problems arose, but none the less, always a possibility in order for my spiritual evolution. So the search has been a long one, but worth it.

2. As a woman: I was raised in a Roman Catholic Christian background and honestly I never had any negative experience either with clergy or dogma directly at my own person, it served as a foundation to the awareness of a spiritual world. However, I found that I didn't believe nor share the same views with some of the most important fundamental ideas with Christianity and leaned more toward Eastern thought, so as my search expanded and became more aggressive and serious, so did my natural separation to this religion. In Sikhi, I have found that nowhere in the practice of our Gurus nor in our living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, can anyone, man or woman, get away with even harming the hair on a woman, it is just not supported - period. Not even to 'discipline' the woman, nor is her husband's authority surpasses her judgment. If there is any such practice among Sikhs, then it is culture - simple as that, absolutely, no loop hole. We are equal, we still keep our grace, our dignity and our character and our role as mothers, teachers, professionals and if we need to defend we do, no weakness there, how can you argue with that? Why wouldn't a woman want that?

3. As a non-Punjabi/Indian: It is some karmic destiny I was born in the culture I was born into and family I was born into. There will always be a dominant of someone or some group in any scenario, whether that be religion, society, government, what have you, and to have that as a deterrent to persue your spiritual development is silly. It was Guru ji's choice to have Sikhi develop where it did, and if it was truly just for Punjabis or Indians, then Sikhs would have remained in Punjab. The point that many different castes became Sikhs and coming from a majority of the two faiths at the time that were arch rivals - became Sikhs is proof enough that it is not a 'click' it is a religion for humanity. Up to now, I have not once experienced any negative backlash or 'rejection' from the majority as for my coming into the Khalsa Panth fold.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

4. Numbers in conversions/reversions: The reason Christianity and Islam get more converts/reverts to their faiths is because they are the two religions that have effectively marketed themselves due to the simple fact that in these two religions, spreading of their religion is vital and important and a MUST and they really believe that their way is the only and/or best way. Even though some may argue that nowadays conversion/reversion should come from the heart. History has shown that in these two religions' case it has been predominately by force, even though these actions may have gone or go against the basic fundamental practice of peace or love taught by them. Personally, I never believed in forcing a faith or ideology (whether religious or governmental) on anyone, nor do I believe it being forced on my own person; naturally I would retaliate if anyone would dare, and as I learned about Sikhi and its history, this act of defiance is very prevalent in Sikhi and nowhere else have I found this particular characteristic. Not only for preservation of a persons or faith, but for humanity, no matter race, creed, gender, etc... this is a key factor. Besides, historically, Sikhs have always been few and seriously outnumbered, but always steadfast in standing their ground. It is not the number of people in the fold, it is the depth and breadth of their courage that will keep things afloat.

5. And my main reason I chose Sikhi and not any other path, not even Atheism: Sikhi goes beyond just a 'religion' or a 'way of life', it is the specific development of one's spiritual side and earth bound side. It goes beyond 'rules' or social or religious boundaries. One is responsible for always being grounded in this pursuit. It is the realistic and straight forward acceptance of the reality of the spiritual world and its relationship to the earth bound world. Even if we do good deeds out of the kindness of our hearts and with no expectations for even a 'thank you', we will bow and give our heads to Wahe Guru ji and Khalsa Panth even if after our physical death Wahe Guru ji wills our souls to eternal suffering we accept it with grace, humility, courage and love, that unconditional love that only Wahe Guru ji can bestow upon us. No where else have I found by scripture or historical facts, such courage or discipline, not in any other religion, not in any other culture, not in any other military, not even among the bravest of the elite forces - there is something surreal and special in Sikhi, and the 10 Master Gurus understood that very clearly, it is something attainable for everyone, the educated, the illiterate, the rich the poor, the men, the women, even the children....how much easier and more direct can it get?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

Inderjot Kaur

Ruqa · #8 (**permalink**) 02-Jul-2012, 21:50 PM

What about Punjabis of other faiths converting to Sikhi? I mean what are the statistics and what are they compared to those that are pan-desi converting?

Astroboy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-Jul-2012, 00:03 AM

Inderjot Kaur Ji,

I thank you for your reply from the heart. It does make me re-think my own stand with regards to things I've taken for granted, since I am born into Sikhism.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38730

It is an eye-opener for me as it allows me to step outside of my present state of belief and view it from your point of view.