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Summary of Question:	Parents Forcing Me To Take Amrit
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Sunday, 6/04/2006 10:45 PM MDT

hey..

i am an ex-Akal Academy Baru Sahib student and i was 12 years old when i was baptised with amrit at the academy. i left the academy when i was 14 but i had studied there for 5 years since 1999 when i was 9 years old. then when i came back to NZ i joined college and felt the need to cut my hair. i felt really bad but i had to and my parents dont agree. i know i wont be able to keep my rehat but my parents are forcing me to get baptised again by the end of this month. i understand the religion and i respect it in every way. i just dont think i will be able to stand by it. can you please help me in this aspect?

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reply
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Sat nam. Your parents have it all wrong. Amrit is not about face or family. It is a deeply personal decision and should NOT be taken if one has no intention of keeping it or trying to keep it. It is a slap in the face of all amritdhari and the 10th Guru to (re)take amrit as you parents insist. In addition, the bhai sahib administering the amrit--who should be meeting with amrit candidates before the ceremony anyway!--should be made aware of this. S/He would not want to have you attend and be part of such a ceremony in such a false way.

You have made your decision. Your parents think, perhaps, by making you take amrit, that you will 'return to the fold.' Parents often fail to udnerstand that their child's choice in religion is NOT ABOUT THEM. Religion/faith and one's path are deeply personal and cannot be forced on another. Why else did 9th Guru die???? He died to keep a hindu from being forced to convert to islam. Forcing you to take amrit is not much different. Stand by YOUR decision and let them be upset. It's your life, not theirs.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK