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Summary of Question:	Whats The Limit?
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Monday, 2/14/2005 8:59 PM MST

I know about a sikhman who refused to wear a badge on his turban because they forced him to do so after 9/11. I understand this, but where the line get drawn. The constitution guarantees religious freedom to all, but some practices in American society, require people to do something that might not be right in the persons religion. What if it is the persons only mean of income or something. Like on roller coasters, sometimes you are not allowed to wear a turban, and you might not be able to wear a helmet, when you are required. What is your opinion on this matter? Should religions adjust to the new society or somehting?

(REPLY) Sat Nam. As Sikhs, we obey the laws of the land. If we have to protest a law, we do so with legal methods. We were able a number of years ago to fight such cases. You should contact the Chancellor's Office of Sikh Dharma for more information. In the meantime, how important is a roller coaster? There are always alternatives, as far as means of income, and many Sikhs in America in mainstream occupations wear their turbans! I am sure that as time passes, beards and turbans will be more and more accepted as they are worn proudly by Sikh men! As far as having to wear a badge on the turban, I never heard of that before. In what country? We often do wear turban pins as decoration, and if it was in his job that the man was asked to wear an identification badge, well, in many jobs people wear I.D. badges. On the turban sounds rather strange though. Anyway, it's not a matter of compromising our values - or giving up our "bana" - but understanding each situation and evaluating it for its importance. AS you know, you can't carry a kirpan on a plane. That's a fact of life. Again, we have to be law abiding, but we always have choices as to where we live, where we work and how we travel. SP