gurdssingh

Congratulations! Your family must be so happy with being blessed with a child. It is one of the best feelings in the world meeting your child for the first time. Hope she brings you much happiness and joy. With regards to the the name I personally think the name Jiya Kaur sounds really nice. I think you and your partner should decide on a name which you both are fond off. As you are already thinking Japt or Jiya, then I personally think you should go with one of them as they are the names you are already considering. Sorry to ramble but yeah I like the sound of Jiya, it is such a sweet name, no doubt just like the new bundle of joy in your life.

I think that you have misinterpreted my point of view. Which is, each to their own, how someone prays or conducts their personal religious affairs is upto them. Live and let live. If someone wants to pray / worship in a particular manner I don't see why that would be such a problem to anyone else. I think we should be less critical of others and concentrate on doing good deeds ourselves. With regards to your point about Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings. I never once mentioned Guru Ji, let alone of any attitudes of disrespect. Baba Ji did disapprove of idol worship. That is a fact. It is all about interpretation and one's own understanding. Some may interpret the teaching's literally. However, I could be wrong - I feel, Baba Ji disapproved of the practices of the Hindu's worshiping idol's. In that people may have looked upon the idols as GOD instead of a mere symbolic representation, to aid with one's worship. Anyone can interpret anything with their personal outlook on life. I may be wrong but only the person who made the statement can elaborate further. It is how my earlier post was misunderstood, in that I support idol worship, I do NOT. Coming to their own conclusions it created further questions. All religions are sacred in the eyes of their followers. I did not once state Hindu religion was sacred (too it's followers it will be). I was stating Hindu's revere the statues in the mandir and as such refer to them as deities. It was only out of respect I used the same word. Again, I also believe that you should also worship ONLY GOD and nothing else. But if Amarjit Chawla feels it connects him with the almighty, is that a bad thing? . Again I may be completely wrong. All I feel is why condemn someone for worshiping. Okay I understand now it is totally not in line with the Sangats views. I hold the same sentiments. Every single creature is answerable to ONE ALMIGHTY CREATOR. Everyone should pray to one GOD, I agree. You are correct, I am not well versed in the Bani of our Guru's. I only learnt to read Punjabi in Gurmukhi script last year, so it is very weak. I also find it hard to understand Shabads sometimes. As please correct me if I'm wrong but although it is in Gurmukhi script it is in various languages - Punjabi,Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, maybe more. Also the English translations are like medieval English. Please read my profile it tells you a bit about me. I admit I need to learn so much more about Sikhi. That is why I have joined Sikh forums to expand my knowledge and find out more. I don't support the idea of idol worship either. Worshiping stones or any other object is pointless you should only believe in GOD. Like Kabir stated 'If GOD is a stone then I will worship a mountain'. I think you are not supposed to take it literally but understand the thinking behind the statement. I never ever intended to come across as if I support idol worship and think a deity is more important than Waheguru Ji. Waheguru Ji is only worthy of worshiping in my opinion. I don't even understand why you had to ask such a question. However, why does the sangat have an issue with the way other's worship? It is between them and GOD. Please if I have come across as if I follow these rituals, well sorry to disappoint but I don't. But if Amarjit Chawla wants too let him. Neither did I. But it would be interesting to find out if other members of the Sangat ever sung a hymn at school which is basically what we are discussing i.e. worshiping, but not in Sikh tradition.

I know. GOD is GOD, no one / thing can compare. Deity is the term I have used instead of statue. I believe that it is not acceptable to use derogatory descriptions of anything to which a member of that religion would hold sacred. (I am not Hindu, but just respect all religions). If you believe in, and respect GOD should that not also include the various paths that lead to GOD? If you have respect for GOD, I believe that this should include having respect for other religions. As if the end result is GOD, what difference does the root we take to praise GOD matter? That is why I used the motorway analogy. I did state 'Albeit he maybe worshiping a deity.....'. Means Even though he is worshiping through a deity he is praying to GOD indirectly. Also why do we need to justify his actions, all he is doing is praying / worshiping in a house of GOD. (All religious institutions of worship are houses of GOD, aren't they?) I am not saying praying in any one way is better than the other. What you feel connects you with GOD should be practised. But I do not think any human has the right to say, the way another person worships is wrong? Obviously unless it involves hurting another living being i.e. ritual sacrifices etc. Our faith states there is only ONE ALMIGHTY, and various roots to connect. So there is no one particular way of worshiping the ALMIGHTY, other ways of worship are not wrong and does not make you an unbeliever. On a side note, how many of you sang hymns in assembly at school, esp. Christmas time, nativity play and all. Is that not the same as he is doing.

I read the Gurmukhi text under the photo's. It refers to "Amarjit 'Kumar' (Singh) Chawla" - Is that ment to be sarcastic - i.e. because he is in the mandir and praying. I get the feeling most posters think it's not right. - Because he seems to be going completly mad, like he has no sharm, he used too hang around with Sikh's the panth hold in high esteem. I mean he's doing sum nex fing! (some next thing). As for quoting Ram and Rahim - Do some research please, there are many references to both in Guru Ji. Maybe the sangat thinks it's wrong for someone to praise God. As that is all he is doing. Albeit he maybe worshiping a diety. Is there anything wrong with praying to god. IK ONKAR. So it doesn't really matter, does it? Naam Jaap Da. It's like taking the M1, M69 instead of M40. Does that make any sense? UK drivers, London to Brum will get that bit.

its like if ur bored, and instead of playing ur Call of duty, go do chaupai sahib or sukhmani sahib! thats somewhat like it, i believe and as a matter of fact, ive been listenin to many shabads for hours now :D WJKK WJKF Thanks.

I'm sorry I feel like Billy no mates I don't get it. Please elaborate for us un- enlightened ones. What's the joke or missing / hidden message because I'm clue less.

Is it true that if you are amritdhari then you are not allowed to marry a non amritdhari? Sorry for my ignorance as I really did not know that this was the case. So then what are the views of only one person of a married couple taking amrit? Surely you can take amrit after being already married, even though your spouse may not want to? I know of many married couples of whom only one is Amritdhari.

Hi Singhni Ji, Personally I don't know if it is forbidden in Sikhi, but the majority of the sanget seem to think so. In my humble opinon I don't think GOD would ever be upset/ annoyed / disappointed with someone if they fell in love with someone else. Why would GOD - he is all loving the creator! However if you hated or had bad intentions towards someone then maybe GOD would not be pleased. I have read some of the posts and, oh come on if you have a b/f or g/f they don't be on your mind 24/7. If you pray i'm sure you do it with 100% concentration. It's like anything else in life you can not think about Waheguru 24/7 it is impossible sometimes you have to concentrate your mind elsewhere. As for your parents finding your match, there are many cases of arranged marriages even of Amritdhari couples breaking up or divorcing. Sorry to offend anyone out there but if you have a g/f or b/f you know them very well before you take the descison to marry. Whereas with many arranged marriages the couple meet a few times, after being married they sleep in the same bedroom / bed. (NOT saying anything else happens ONLY SLEEPING). So I'm very sorry if from my western upbringing I fell that it is better to get to know someone before commting to spend the rest of your life with them. Also someone commented on only having 1 spouse in Sikhi, I do not think it is written anywhere that this is true. It can not be, as many Sikhs who are held in high esteem by the panth i.e. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur & Maharaja Ranjit Singh had more than one wife. I know many people have their views both good and bad about these Sikhs. But you can not argue with the fact that our great Guru's 6th and 10th also had more than 1 spouse. Please forgive me if I have offended anyone here. I have just stated my personal believes.

Dear Sikh Shaster, I think you got your answer in your own post : "and he started going "Muslims aren't allowed to do that..." " Yes indeed Sikhs were killed, tormented and tortued by Muslims. But it was the mughal government that instigated it and was responsible for the persecution of Sikhs. Therefore any person employed by the government or who received benefits from the authorities killed Sikhs. Muslims, Hindus and yes even Sikhs betrayed their own brethren. No religion rewards the killing of innocent people more so of babies. So I think the religious debates you have at college shouldn't be of my religion is better than yours. Sikhi states there is only one god. "proud and big headed about what? proud becasue he thinks he is the most religious and Islam is the only religion. And Big Headed because he thinks that I'm lying and he has won the conversation and that Muslims are the best. Sikh guru's also had muslim companions, e.g. Bhai Mardana. Mian Mir laid the foundation at Harmandir Sahib. You should discuss things that unite and bring communities together and not cause friction and hate amongst each other at college. Also I don't think it is right to post messages which might sound offensive about prophet's of other faiths Babber Khalistani.