Sikh faith tested again and again!
As I read the following news and the comments associated with it, several thoughts and questions come to mind:
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/s/210/210936_goalie_in_sikh_bracelet_row.html
Please do keep ion mind that I am in no way a judge of wrong or right way to handle situations and these are just thoughts and questions that need discussions:
1) Is soccer or any other game or hobby or a job more important to a Sikh than faith in Waheguru and commitment to faith? If no, then how do we explain carrying or wearing the dagger thru airport security? or removing turbans in France for getting an identification? If yes, then how do we justify committment? Do we really need soccer to stay fit, or can we stay fit other ways as required by our faith as well. The examples are numerous.
2) Does the World leaves really no option for Sikhs to function in a non-Sikh society peacefully and enjoy their life fully? Can we exist peacefully, engage, have fun, and function in the world of non-Sikhs, be it playing a sport like soccer, getting a job in a non-Sikh company, believing media of the non-Sikh world, joining armies of the non-Sikh world or do we need to create our own games, media, jobs, companies, armies, and whatever else we need to sustain and carry Sikhi forward into the century? This is the question I would like to ask the Jathedars of Sikhs as well since they also have a major part to play in building this future. Where do they see Sikhi 100 years from now and what are they doing to ensure a bright future for the sons and daughters of Guru Gobind Singh? Would we always play a second fiddle to the non-Sikh world? If the answer is yes, then we have already kind of failed our Gurus and really don't have much future.
3) Is it pure personal bias since it is hard to believe that a referee in England is not familiar with Sikhs and their faith? I can see may be here in the U.S. since not very many people know who Sikhs are in the U.S.
Tests of faith like above will come again and again as long as there are Sikhs and non-Sikhs and hatered, racism, prejudices, baises etc. exist in the World. The question is how well Sikhs are preparing themselves to ensure a bright future for their kids? Some people think the answer is in just cutting hair, being clean shaven and following things of the non-Sikh World to fit in. I say, once a soul is exposed and has enough love and understanding of Sikhi and Sikhs around them thru Gurdwaras, extended family members, friends etc. it is very hard to stay away and follow the non-Sikh World, especially when most of them still practise Sikhi in one form or another by going to Gurdwaras, thru following family traditions etc.
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/s/210/210936_goalie_in_sikh_bracelet_row.html
Please do keep ion mind that I am in no way a judge of wrong or right way to handle situations and these are just thoughts and questions that need discussions:
1) Is soccer or any other game or hobby or a job more important to a Sikh than faith in Waheguru and commitment to faith? If no, then how do we explain carrying or wearing the dagger thru airport security? or removing turbans in France for getting an identification? If yes, then how do we justify committment? Do we really need soccer to stay fit, or can we stay fit other ways as required by our faith as well. The examples are numerous.
2) Does the World leaves really no option for Sikhs to function in a non-Sikh society peacefully and enjoy their life fully? Can we exist peacefully, engage, have fun, and function in the world of non-Sikhs, be it playing a sport like soccer, getting a job in a non-Sikh company, believing media of the non-Sikh world, joining armies of the non-Sikh world or do we need to create our own games, media, jobs, companies, armies, and whatever else we need to sustain and carry Sikhi forward into the century? This is the question I would like to ask the Jathedars of Sikhs as well since they also have a major part to play in building this future. Where do they see Sikhi 100 years from now and what are they doing to ensure a bright future for the sons and daughters of Guru Gobind Singh? Would we always play a second fiddle to the non-Sikh world? If the answer is yes, then we have already kind of failed our Gurus and really don't have much future.
3) Is it pure personal bias since it is hard to believe that a referee in England is not familiar with Sikhs and their faith? I can see may be here in the U.S. since not very many people know who Sikhs are in the U.S.
Tests of faith like above will come again and again as long as there are Sikhs and non-Sikhs and hatered, racism, prejudices, baises etc. exist in the World. The question is how well Sikhs are preparing themselves to ensure a bright future for their kids? Some people think the answer is in just cutting hair, being clean shaven and following things of the non-Sikh World to fit in. I say, once a soul is exposed and has enough love and understanding of Sikhi and Sikhs around them thru Gurdwaras, extended family members, friends etc. it is very hard to stay away and follow the non-Sikh World, especially when most of them still practise Sikhi in one form or another by going to Gurdwaras, thru following family traditions etc.
posted by SikhsRus at 2:38 PM
1 Comments:
thanks ak! I will try to remember it.
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