Firstly, I just joined these forums -- seem like a good place for a young sikh like myself to get some pointers -- and to get some heard.
I would like to comment on all these latest posts floating around -- again.. this is MY opinion.
All these posts about hair (the most popular), dating, makeup, jewelry, marrying girls with beards, confused youth..
One point to youths -- Why ask these questions?
I know that there's always a guilt in the heart to confirm what we do is backed up by authority... but in this case, it's never the case. What authority are we looking up to over here?
No offense to anyone, but let me give you an example. My grandfather is highly respected in our town's sikh community (back in india). He's strongly against all of the things said above, and more (like coloring hair ) with the reason that the guru's never wanted us to stray from the "natural" form.
What is the natural form? He spends two hours every morning setting his beard. Is that the natural form. I don't intend to use him as a bad example, but only because he's respected in the community. I spend the same time doing the same every morning. Is it really natural? I posted this question to my dad and he replied.. well.. it's easier than shaving every day.. not true!
I think everything we do in our daily lives has to be "accepted" in our culture. Another example is if a sikh girl threads her eyebrows, waxes her legs, wears a perfume (all "unnatural" things), society doesn't care, but if she trims the bottom of her hair, HA bring on the religious police!
Why are we so idiotic in these issues? Religion is a matter of faith.. and nothing else. There are no benchmarks for faith. No substitutes for believing in whatever you believe. You wouldn't be a good human/sikh by staying in the prescribed "natural" state. You'll probably be better off being the best you can, in the environment you're living in.
So all these posts generate a lot of traffic, but do they really mean anything? People will probably change their daily actions according to their surroundings, but does that have to affect their faith.
just on my personal beliefs.. I don't believe in god. Just too easy of a term. Just too easy to say "Oh this happened because it was in the divine plan!" The whole idea of a "superior" power comes from fear and guilt. fear of something stronger, and that's why we think of something all-powerful who's on our side
and guilt of who we are.. humans. Guilt of our human actions.. hunger, sex, monetary desires, love.. That's my personal opinion. I still didn't cut my hair/ wear a turban as a respect for my parents/family. Also, it's not too bad. It's my identity. And I like to keep it that way.. instead of following rules blindly which other people made up.. and now even stranger people are changing day by day.
Tantrix
I would like to comment on all these latest posts floating around -- again.. this is MY opinion.
All these posts about hair (the most popular), dating, makeup, jewelry, marrying girls with beards, confused youth..
One point to youths -- Why ask these questions?
I know that there's always a guilt in the heart to confirm what we do is backed up by authority... but in this case, it's never the case. What authority are we looking up to over here?
No offense to anyone, but let me give you an example. My grandfather is highly respected in our town's sikh community (back in india). He's strongly against all of the things said above, and more (like coloring hair ) with the reason that the guru's never wanted us to stray from the "natural" form.
What is the natural form? He spends two hours every morning setting his beard. Is that the natural form. I don't intend to use him as a bad example, but only because he's respected in the community. I spend the same time doing the same every morning. Is it really natural? I posted this question to my dad and he replied.. well.. it's easier than shaving every day.. not true!
I think everything we do in our daily lives has to be "accepted" in our culture. Another example is if a sikh girl threads her eyebrows, waxes her legs, wears a perfume (all "unnatural" things), society doesn't care, but if she trims the bottom of her hair, HA bring on the religious police!
Why are we so idiotic in these issues? Religion is a matter of faith.. and nothing else. There are no benchmarks for faith. No substitutes for believing in whatever you believe. You wouldn't be a good human/sikh by staying in the prescribed "natural" state. You'll probably be better off being the best you can, in the environment you're living in.
So all these posts generate a lot of traffic, but do they really mean anything? People will probably change their daily actions according to their surroundings, but does that have to affect their faith.
just on my personal beliefs.. I don't believe in god. Just too easy of a term. Just too easy to say "Oh this happened because it was in the divine plan!" The whole idea of a "superior" power comes from fear and guilt. fear of something stronger, and that's why we think of something all-powerful who's on our side
and guilt of who we are.. humans. Guilt of our human actions.. hunger, sex, monetary desires, love.. That's my personal opinion. I still didn't cut my hair/ wear a turban as a respect for my parents/family. Also, it's not too bad. It's my identity. And I like to keep it that way.. instead of following rules blindly which other people made up.. and now even stranger people are changing day by day.Tantrix
