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Summary of Question:	In The Eyes Of A 17Yr Old Uk Born Sikh Girl...
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Sunday, 11/27/2005 1:35 PM MST

Sat sri akaal

I'm a 17-yr old girl born and raised in London, born into a Sikh family, whom i love dearly. From a young age, religion has always been present; obviously when i was younger i accepted this as i was yet to grow and be able to question these beliefs with justified reason.

Growing up in a society as diverse as the one i have grown up in, its hard to not begin to question things around you, are they right? are they wrong? who says they are the truth? etc. over the last few years i've found myself questioning my beliefs, but i see nothing wrong in this, for me this is a period of reflection, leading me to greater understanding. Afterall, how else is one able to learn, if not through questions?

personally i feel that there is such diversity within this 'new generation of sikhs', with this i mean, you have some young sikhs who adore their religion, and live by it, then you get some who say they are Sikh yet follow none of its teachings, yet are Sikh therefore only through birth. there are also the few in limbo (stuck between the two), which i feel i fall into...for me I am Sikh and proud to be so, but i feel sad with this also as i feel there is a lack of understanding.

when i was younger i attended some sikh youth camps, for me this was probably the most amazing thing. Why? because if it wasn't for me attending, i dont think now after going through a period of uncertainty, i would still be so intent on learning more about, my religion. i must have been at least 12-13yrs of age when i first attended, and then a few years later after that, it was the second camp i attended i feel that has left the greatest impact, perhaps due to me being more mature. the reason i feel it left such an impact as that, for me it was the first time i was being presented with knowledge in a way i could understand, and the leaders who ran the camp, allowed us, as young sikhs to express our views, and speak out about topics that were taboo, well not entirely accepted by parents, grandparents and other family memebers. now bear this all in mind for later...as i now want to comment on what is the reason i began typing this.

mainly, because i was reading all these comments on relatioinships, young sikh girls with muslim boys...sikh boys with turbans being insecure as they were rejected, which im sure you may have all read yourselves. In my own life i have come across such obstacles, and not so long ago i found myself involved with another young man who was black, coming from a largely asian dominated area, it was obvious the reactions i would receive. personally i see nothing wrong with it, for he is just like me, in that i mean he is human, he feels pain, happiness like me and you, him being black changes nothing for me. the reactions i receive i believe are down more to culture and tradition if anything; how is it possible to say that it is wrong due to religion when Sikhi distinctly outlines equality, we are all Wahegurus creation, are we not? and all that occurs is at Wahegurus will, correct me if i am wrong. the reason maybe i am so liberal in comparison to older generations is most likely due to me growing up in a western society, where relationships are spoken about more freely, and growingly different views and beliefs are being embraced.

For us to say this is wrong and that is right, and this is not acceptable, etc, in my eyes is wrong. there is only one who can judge us, each one of us, has faults, commits wrongs, but for us to do right we must realise it ourselves and look to waheguru to help us. today i find so many of my peers are attempting to show that their religion is the right way, you only have to go out on vaisakhi to see this, but i feel it is not done in the right manner. there is so much anxiety and hatred between religions today, yet everyone makes great claims that we are living in a world where equality is rising.

i feel this was reflected in the comments towards islam, Islam in itself should be respected, perhaps you do not agree with its principles, but as you request others to respect Sikhism, why not lead the way? also remember that one of Guru Nanak's closest friends was a muslim, Bhai Mardana. today, for most young sikhs there is a mix of Sikhism with western beliefs and ways of living...where western society is growingly having a larger hold over in comparison to Sikhi, simply because how i was saying at the beginning there is a lack of understanding. The young need to be nurtured, in a way that they can understand, but not patronised.

For me there is so much i wish to learn at times i feel overwhelmed, within Sikh history there is so much to be proud of yet so few are aware of it. it is due to this that there is such a growing number of girls and boys accepting other ways of life. yes this has been extremely long, but i think it is important to try to understand that these are simply ideas that i have come to conclude from personal experiance. i may be way off and not many others will be able to relate to what i have said, but this is what goes through my head. As ignorant and naive as some may think i am, there is one more point that i have questioned, the caste system...this being one of the most questionable of all. especially when it is fundamental to Sikhism that it was abolished, yet even now, still, it is evident; and with it comes ego, and it was for this reason that castes were removed.

So i leave you with this, When we get ego inside of us, then we forget God. We think that we are doing everything and forget that Waheguru who is in control of everything.

---reply

Did you have a question or did you just want to make a statement? As far as having a Black boyfriend, there is nothing wrong with it. But if you are thinking of getting serious with this person, there are some things to consider, like, what is it important for you to practice the same religion with your partner; How do you want to raise your children; are you prepared to embrace his culture; is he prepared to embrace your's; how do your parents feel; is parental approval important to you? All of these questions and more would need to be asked and answered by both of you. Blessings. GTKK