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namjap Ji,While I am new to my understanding of Sikhi I am not new to my understanding, or at least attempt there of, the Creator. I fail to see the way that Sikhism can be called atheistic - except from a western viewpoint. The Tao is very similar to many of the teachings of the Gurus and suffers from the same associated to atheism.Please keep in mind this is my understanding only.The Creator (by whatever name you wish to address) is reflected in the Creation. If you look at some of the great works of painters or composers you can see or hear something about those who made it. The balance or use of colors, sounds, space and quite are all a part of the creation process that reflects the state of the creator of that piece. Here we have all of Creation and only a small perspective and short time in each life to try to understand the reason for the creation or the will of its creator. This scares some people. They fixate and sometimes get violent based on an understanding of fear. (This is due to a problem of not being able to see beyond the mirror they are holding before their own eyes.) Yet those who can put down the mirror (stop thinking of self as the point of all interaction) then they can begin to see the Creation and glimpse the Creator.So why then did I say that it is a western perspective that Sikhism could look like atheism or maybe just a philosophy? Because the western mind wants to be able to point at and define God. It is the scientific nature we are brought up with. However by defining something you limit it. By saying what it is, you say what it isn't. The Creator of All is far beyond our definitions, yet not beyond the beginning of our understanding. The Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written by men who are trying to help people put down the mirror of self-centeredness and see with eyes unclouded. Other beliefs have done the same based on their understanding and culture at the time they were written. If you look at many of the founders of those believes you can see a common thread. First and foremost of which is that the founders (almost always) received their inspiration in Nature. Because this is where the Creator wrote the first book of understanding and from it others have been translated.
namjap Ji,
While I am new to my understanding of Sikhi I am not new to my understanding, or at least attempt there of, the Creator. I fail to see the way that Sikhism can be called atheistic - except from a western viewpoint. The Tao is very similar to many of the teachings of the Gurus and suffers from the same associated to atheism.
Please keep in mind this is my understanding only.
The Creator (by whatever name you wish to address) is reflected in the Creation. If you look at some of the great works of painters or composers you can see or hear something about those who made it. The balance or use of colors, sounds, space and quite are all a part of the creation process that reflects the state of the creator of that piece. Here we have all of Creation and only a small perspective and short time in each life to try to understand the reason for the creation or the will of its creator. This scares some people. They fixate and sometimes get violent based on an understanding of fear. (This is due to a problem of not being able to see beyond the mirror they are holding before their own eyes.) Yet those who can put down the mirror (stop thinking of self as the point of all interaction) then they can begin to see the Creation and glimpse the Creator.
So why then did I say that it is a western perspective that Sikhism could look like atheism or maybe just a philosophy? Because the western mind wants to be able to point at and define God. It is the scientific nature we are brought up with. However by defining something you limit it. By saying what it is, you say what it isn't. The Creator of All is far beyond our definitions, yet not beyond the beginning of our understanding. The Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written by men who are trying to help people put down the mirror of self-centeredness and see with eyes unclouded. Other beliefs have done the same based on their understanding and culture at the time they were written. If you look at many of the founders of those believes you can see a common thread. First and foremost of which is that the founders (almost always) received their inspiration in Nature. Because this is where the Creator wrote the first book of understanding and from it others have been translated.
