Previous

Next

Ask a Question

Summary of Question:	Adoption, Organ Donation?
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 1/15/2004 9:08 PM MST

Hi, I have two questions.

1. Firstly, what is the view on Adoption in Sikhism.
2. Secondly, I am a student and working towards a career in the health field and am looking to get involved with an org that (promotes) organ donation. Personally I feel that where on one hand we are working so hard to find cure for diseases like cancer(s) and AIDS.., so many other people die waiting for somebody to donate a kidney, or a heart etc. So, organ donation could save a lot of lives.
So, before I can make a decision to get involved with it, I would like to have some guidance from the Sikhism point of view.
Looking forward to a reply.
Thanks.

----

Thank you for your thoughtful questions.

1- Adoption. There have always been Sikh orphanages. I guess the person or couple considering adoption have to ask themselves a few questions. First - how solid is their relationship. I know two girls that were adopted, only to have their adoptive parents get divorced. You can imagine the sense of loss, abandonment, anger and confusion that these girls felt. If the couple's attitude isn't marriage is forever, then they may want to reconsider adoption. There is also the question of religion. If the couple are Sikhs and the baby was born a Jew, lets say, the couple will have to think about how they feel about changing the culture of the child...and how the child will feel when they are older and find out. Also, the couple has to be willing to deal with what ever this adopted child brings...perhaps illness, emotional disorder, temperment isssues. Some times things don't show up until the child is older. Of course things happen with our birth children as well, but some times adoptive parents get engrossed in the idealism of adoptiing and don't think of all the things that could be challenging. The point is that parents need to accept whatever they get. If a couple can't do that, then perhaps adoption isn't for them. So, there are things to think about. Adoption is forever. Its not a light thing...as wonderful as it can be.

2- Organ donation. Here again, there are things to consider. It all depends upon the attitude of the donor. In Sikhism, we believe that we cremate the body to help the soul go on, not to linger to the physical body. If a donor's consciouness is prepared to send its soul on its way, then I don't think there will be a problem. If, though, the person wants to donate their organs, as a way to become immortal, their consciousness may attach to the organs, not allowing the soul to leave, and thus become a ghost, trapped in the electromagnetic field of the earth. Perhaps you could chant AKAL for the souls of the donors, but that puts a big responsibility on you. So you see, its not an easy answer. Organ donation is a very worthy cause...how to solve this other issue, though, is a challenge. Blessings to you and your work. GTKK