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Summary of Question:	Re: My Input On Jesus Mentioned In Sggs
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Sunday, 2/17/2002 8:38 PM MST

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki Fateh

interesting response DKK

but heres how i see it.. Lets say Singh was born as a Sikh by birth.. and grows up under his parents guidance.. and follows sikhi even though he does not have any interest in Gurbani or understands it.. now Singh in his teenage years tired of being harrassed from school or from other people.. decides he is going to cut his hair..
all that done.. he reads ur post here on Sikhnet where u have said ""Find a path that suits you and go for it!"

after that he analysis, with whatever limited knowlege he has, that in Sikhi we say there are different paths that lead to the same God.. some call it Jesus and some call it Allah.. now he knows God exists since more than 90% of the world believes in some sort of a superior being.. and then Singh says God does exist but doesnt want to follow the path of Sikhi to achieve God.. and he now changes his religion to Christianity and becomes a Good christian who follows all rules and does achieve solace and comfort...

He is no longer a Sikh ! but is a good Christian..

But considering the authenticty of our Guru;s words and Guru Granth Sahib.. I was taught and i believe that we must not go against God's will..! The almighty gave Singh a path which was Sikhi... and he violated God's will and went for Christainity because he was harrased at school.. etc..

from what i understand.. Going against God would make him a Sinner!!

Now if you could please help me and explain to me how Choosing a path and going for it is not using ur own will?

We do not believe in missionaries (we dont spread our religion and force it on someone) am i rite?

so in other words shouldnt we be saying be a good Christian or be a Good jew.. or a good muslim and follow what God has told them to?

and in response to "Guru found you and gave u a path"... well thats GREAT..

And Guru should give all those Athiest (who have no religion) a path too,,,

but then again its HIS will.!!

k...
thanks agaín
looking forward to ur input

Guru fateh
Kiratbir

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2nd Reply
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Kiratbir Ji. Sat Siri Akaal. You have missed the fundamental point of Guru Nanak's teaching. "Nako Hindoo Nako Musalman" was what he said when he emerged from the river. He did not mean that there are no Hindus or Muslims, what he meant is that there are no Hindus or Muslims (or anything else) by virtue of BIRTH or name alone. If you are going to call yourself Sikh or Muslim or Christian, then act like it. And above all practice it. To be a Sikh is not a function of being BORN a Sikh. It is a function of living the Guru's teachings and practicing them daily. A Gursikh meditates on the Naam and performs selfless service known as seva. In Nanak's thinking, therefore, no one is a Sikh unless s/he lives and practices as a Sikh.

We are born to the faith of our parents. Given your reasoning, what about someone born to 2 parents of different faiths? Does that mean s/he must be of both faiths? The faith we are born into is part of our karm. The spiritual discipline we take up and practice is also part of our karm. But religion and spirituality are not at all the same, and the faith we are born into and the practice we take up are not necessarily the same either. This was Guru Nanak's message. True spirituality can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their birth, their class, or the name of their faith.

Finally, why would you think that converting FROM Sikhi to some other faith is not part of God's will? You sound like an evangelist to insist that anyone who converts from the faith they are born into--Sikh or otherwise-- is a sinner. That is a misunderstanding of Guru's word or any other revealed scripture. Siri Guru Granth does not say such a one is a sinner. Rather, Guru can lead a man astray and by so doing, instruct him! God's ways are many and mysterious. The journey of a soul takes one through many faiths, disciplines, and spiritual practices. Our 10 Sikh Gurus understood this completely. I recommend you study pauris 17-19 of Japji and let Guru's understanding come to you from within.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK




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Originial Message
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Dear Kiratbir--
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! It is great that you feel that way!

I found no solace, comfort or elevation when I practiced the Catholic faith. While I fully believe I was meant to experience Catholicism in this life, Guru brought me to His feet. In my own experience, I wasn't really searching for anything when I stopped being Catholic. But Guru found me and slowly, gradually, helped me understand that my destiny is as a Sikh.

My point here is that frankly, the faith we are born into--if we are born into one at all-- is not always the faith that suits our soul or being. Why else would there be so many conversions of all kinds and stripes out there going on (in any faith)!?!? The person who wrote in about Jesus evidently feels some kinship to Christianity as well as to Sikhi. That person was not born a Sikh, by the way. So what would you have told that person if they needed guidance on finding a path that is right for them? Forget it? Become a Sikh no matter what??? Sikhs have died to honor the rights of ALL people to worship as they choose, and this choice, for some, changes in the course of one's life. Please do not be fanatic when it comes to other people's life choices about something as important and all-encompassing as their spiritual path.
Congratulations on taking Amrit this April!
Guru ang sang,
-DKK

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Waheguru Ji ka khalsa
waheguru ji ki fateh

i read the question posted by Sara Genh.. and the response that DKK gave.. and id like to say that I was chosen by the will of God to be born in sikhism.. God chose a path for me so i can reach him.. me going into another religion will violate His will.. i was chosen by Him to be a Sikh.. and i will follow his orders and be a good Sikh.. (isnt that rite? correct me if i am wrong)

Its not your choice what religion you should follow..!! it was already chosen..
and if i cut my hair i go against God.. and we know the consequences to that

on the contrary DKK said "Find a path that suits you and go for it! "


anyway.. i am being a good Sikh and taking amrit this april before i go to college this fall..


ok thanks

Guru fateh

Kiratbir