As I have written in a previous blog the movement that would be defined as Sikhism is not an original religion as it has its roots firmly bedded in the pluralistic values of both Hinduism and Islamic thought. Perhaps this was a noble intention to reduce the friction between these irreconcilable groups and therefore harmonize and join these religious world views in a peaceful manner of unity but what does that have to do with its truth claims?
One aspect when contemplating the movement is by considering the reliability of its witnesses. Guru Nanak Dev is said to have been the original founder of the movement yet he was enlightened by Kabir who was an Indian teacher and the real source behind his religious ideologies. Some of Kabirs sayings are even preserved in the Adi Granth.
Ironically even though Nanak confessed that their is neither Hindu or Muslim the Adi Granth still contains the sayings of Muslims and Hindus as collected for inclusion by the guru Arjan Dev.
Even Nanak’s life accounts or Janamsakhis can not be authenticated by his supposed personal companion, Bhai Bala, as this writing style and language was not employed until a 100 years after Nanak’s death which leaves allot of time to embellish legends and myths about this spiritual leader which would therefore make this biographical account as compiled under Nanak’s successor Angad Dev suspect.
Also some discrepancies in the character of Nanak concerning his credibility comes from the claim that he abandoned his wife and two children as a part of his religious campaign.
In addition to this there are inconsistencies between what supposedly these gurus taught and what is being practiced today among the Sikhs. For instance, the guru Nanak is often deified among his followers as the incarnation of the Brahma which according to my research Nanak never took a position in claiming himself as God.
Though Sikhs are forbidden to engage in idol worship yet their is a extreme devotion towards the Adi Granth which is placed on the altar and is even put to bed complete with silk sheets which appears to be more of an act of worshipful veneration rather than that of simply respect.
Also within Nanak’s teachings there was opposition to the rituals of Islam as it applies to pilgrimages and yet among Sikhs this is often practiced by visiting their holy shrine Harmandir Sahib or the golden temple as well as the birthplace of Nanak in Nankana Sahib and other gurdwaras in the province of Punjab.
Yet another deviation from modern Sikh practice and what Nanak did was that he propagated his new religious faith by his evangelistic journeys with the intent of converting all of India, Persia, and Arabia and yet today proselytizing is not encouraged among the practitioners of this faith.
Also monotheism is claimed to be the position among Sikh believers and yet there exists features of panentheistic/pantheistic views as it relates to God.
Lastly the sixth guru Har Gobind saw that it was necessary to enlist the sword of violence as a necessary means to enforce and maintain their independence and yet this seems to contradict one of the five evils as related to Krodh or anger/wrath/rage.
In summary Sikhism is reputable and respectable as a social religion yet what does that contribute to the significance of a spiritual reality as related to eternal truth.
Despite Nanak’s famous plea to attain the realization of truth was his teachings and that of the nine other gurus able to satisfy the hunger and thirst for righteousness among its followers? Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 that those who would come into His kingdom would have these yearnings filled.
Jesus also said in John 14:6 concerning the realization of Himself as being the embodiment of truth stated that He is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
In conclusion are you reassured that you have done enough to achieve salvation or Sach Khand in your life or do you still feel the guilt stain of sin and shame and the insecurity that all of karma and reincarnation brings?
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Finally, Jesus is seeking Sikh’s as his disciples from all nations as stated in Matthew 28:19 where He told His followers to go into all nations and make disciples of men.
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Copyright used by permission from the Holman Bible Publishers for excerpts taken from the Holman Bible Handbook