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Summary of Question:	Why Is There So Much Friction Between Our Faiths
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Saturday, 4/29/2000 7:28 AM MDT

I HAVE READ THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE AND HAVE FOUND THAT SO MANY TEACHINGS OF JESUS ARE SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB. SO, IS CHRISTIANITY A "PARTNER" RELIGION WITH SIKHISM SINCE BOTH SPEAK THE SAME MESSAGE? IF SO, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH FRICTION BETWEEN OUR FAITHS.

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REPLY
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Dear One:

There are many faiths that have some part of their teachings similar to Guru Granth Sahib. While no one officially calls Christianity a 'partner' faith of Sikhi, there is certainly some common ground in the teachings of the two faiths. The history of the two faiths is, however, unique to each. Culturally and historically speaking, the origins of Christianity and the origins of Sikhi have practically NO common ground, since Sikhi is a much younger faith than Christianity.

The example of Guru Teg Bahadur reminds all Sikhs that everyone has a right to worship as they choose. It is not Sikh to criticize another's face or actively create friction with someone because of their faith.

Unfortunately, one of the tenets of many Christian sects that is NOT similar to Sikhi is evangelism. This means that Christians are encouraged to go out in the world and encourage people everywhere to convert. This comes from Christians' singular belief that the ONLY path to salvation or liberation is a Christian path. This evangelism can certainly cause friction amongst people who have no desire or intention to convert.

Another reason for friction is simpler: people who don't understand one another's religions or cultures are understandably going to see the world through the eyes of their own faith and culture. Christianity is more common to the Western cultures, and Sikhi is more common to Asian cultures, so this could also be a reason for the friction.

Guru rakha,
-DKK