In a sense, we are all converts to Sikhi.
No one is born a Sikh.
According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada (SRM)
Any human being who faithfully believes in
(i) One Immortal Being,
(ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh,
(iii) The Guru Granth Sahib,
(iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
(v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh. [1]
I think this definition, an adaptation from Wikipedia is easier to understand.
a Sikh is defined as any person, male or female, who faithfully:
Being born into a Sikh family certainly has many advantages. Being born into a Gursikh family bestows many more benefits. However, that makes no one a Sikh. Being a Sikh is a voluntary action of the individual, not something inherited or forced by one's family. In fact, I personally know people in the Sikh community who do not know or care about the teachings of the Gurus. Can they rightfully be called Sikhs just because their family are?
No one is born a Sikh. We all become Sikh or we don't. And that is that.
[1]Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People
[2]Sikh Rehat Maryada - Wikipedia
No one is born a Sikh.
According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada (SRM)
Any human being who faithfully believes in
(i) One Immortal Being,
(ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh,
(iii) The Guru Granth Sahib,
(iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
(v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh. [1]
I think this definition, an adaptation from Wikipedia is easier to understand.
a Sikh is defined as any person, male or female, who faithfully:
- believes in the existence of One Eternal God
- follows the teachings of, and accepts as their only Spiritual guides, the Guru Granth Sahib and the ten human Gurus
- believes in the baptism (Amrit Sanchar), as promoted by the tenth Guru
- does not owe allegiance to any other religion. [2]
Being born into a Sikh family certainly has many advantages. Being born into a Gursikh family bestows many more benefits. However, that makes no one a Sikh. Being a Sikh is a voluntary action of the individual, not something inherited or forced by one's family. In fact, I personally know people in the Sikh community who do not know or care about the teachings of the Gurus. Can they rightfully be called Sikhs just because their family are?
No one is born a Sikh. We all become Sikh or we don't. And that is that.
[1]Sikhism Religion of the Sikh People
[2]Sikh Rehat Maryada - Wikipedia