Questioner

I guess you're lucky you even studied Sikhi at school. Went to a grammar school, did RS for GCSE and A Level but never covered Sikhi and the teachers barely knew anything about it. Fastforward to Theology at university, and neither the students nor lecturers know much about Sikhi. Lecturers have often implied to me that it's of no real significance, just a branch of Hinduism.

Bhenji, if you went back to the old appearance you'd quickly realise that it's empty. I've been there - I've missed my "freedom", half gone back to it before realising it was an empty pursuit and thinking, is THIS what I wanted? Is this ALL? The mind will do that to you, seeing a world full of appearance obsessed people will do that to you.

The OP tagged the post with "birds" and "cats", in which case I'd assume that the latter belong to owners which which feed it and would therefore not feel that it needs to feast on birds to survive. It's definitely a more complicated issue with animals in the wild.

With love, of course..

To be honest, I only try to respect what comes from the Akal Takht. That doesn't mean I'll listen to or implement it. It's just there, in my head like, yeah, just try to respect the fact that some people will now follow this order. But I try to only follow and accept hukam of Guru Granth Sahib.

Lol it didn't die naturally, the fisherman scooped it out of its home nonetheless! (Along with other creatures)

Not really feeling the "broke a religious protocol" thing. I wish people understood that daya and serving others is itself the basis of Sikhi, not something separate to it which this Singh attended to.

This is lovely. Captures Guru Sahib's compassionate nature beautifully.

I'm so glad to hear that paaji. I hope these people will support you and be there for you. Don't forget that we're all here too. Always here if you want to talk!

A couple of these posts are not helpful with advice like "get over it" and "toughen up". I'd not like to get into a debate, but urge everyone to be careful with their words and understand that sometimes support and pyaar need to be extended. Brother, I'm worried about you. Please get in touch with a brother or sister on this thread; we care about you.

Brother, A person is not a Singh or a Kaur simply by appearance. Don't think that those Sikhs who have wronged you are a reflection of your Guru. Guru Sahib is forever yours, forever compassionate, and always ready to take your hand. You are still Their pyaare son, whether you feel that right now or not. Gurbani warns us: a(n)dharahu jhoot(h)ae paij baahar dhuneeaa a(n)dhar fail || Those who are false within, and honorable on the outside, are very common in this world. at(h)asat(h) theerathh jae naavehi outharai naahee mail || Even though they may bathe at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage, still, their filth does not depart. It's unfortunate, but brother, you're not defined by the inability of others to treat you well. You're not defined by your perceived "failures". You are just you, the only version of yourself around, with your own unique path paved out for you. Forget these people, they don't see your light yet. You have the capacity to give to others the love and hope which you want others to give you. You are the very jot of Vaheguru ji, how can you ever think lowly of yourself? I'm here to talk to you, to listen.

Dear lord I hope people are not still questioning whether women should be allowed to do certain things while on their period. Guru Nanak Dev ji directly challenged the particularly Vaishnava belief in pollution and impurtiy being attached to the menstrual cycle. Hence in Asa di Vaar they quite clearly refer to the period, before exclaiming that in reality impurity lies in the mind and one cannot simply become pure by washing the body. Ours is the only faith that does not place taboos around the topic of menstruation. On the contrary, Guru Sahib openly and fiercely contradicted these beliefs. If people still don't get this fundamental aspect of Guru Sahibs ideology, then I'm ashamed.

If you could message me regarding seva, paaji, that'd be great.

Brother, I'm deeply critical of consumerism, Capitalism and this institutionalised inequality, patriarchy in all its insidious forms and Punjabi-ism. Even as a Gursikh (who was not always such), I live on the fringes of the community in the sense that I reject these things and tend to keep to myself. I'm also seva-oriented and would hope to adopt. This is not a proposal, lol, don't get me wrong. I suppose I'm rejecting the notion that somehow someone like yourself does not exist, that all young, modern Gursikhs are caught up in some sort of Punjabi, consumerist or self involved mindset. That being said, I too think I'll only find a partner like myself with Maharaj's kirpa - if not, I'd try to fill my time with as much seva as possible. You have a life purpose, and you have the mat to understand that if it's meant to be, it'll be. You are already complete. God speed bro!

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Ironic, isn't it, that people like yourself make Sikh women want to run a thousand miles from Sikh men.

It depends where you go, different places do it a little differently. I know at one Gurdwara, it was done briefly in front of the other peshees, so those close enough could hear. Other places take you in one by one. Don't worry, don't go in with ego, put it all out there and you'll be forgiven.

Refuses to accept gay Sikhs. Is offended when gay people leave Sikhi. GREAT LOGIC there guys, I applaud your ability to keep people locked up in a closet. Who knows, maybe in your next lives you'll be put in a difficult position just to be consistently shunned and told you are a reprehensible human being by Sikhs of the dayal Guru.

Many Hindus have extolled the vision of "many paths lead to the same goal". I don't know why Sikhs use it too, being a theology student I can aptly say I don't believe it.

"Funny this is that when the news got out that they are getting divorced, everyone without any hesitation pointed fingers at Singhni for ruining their kids' lives." Standard sexist community.

Straightening damages hair considerably. It's a big, resounding NO.

Isn't brushing your teeth every day a ritual? Showering every day? We read a minimum of 5 banis a day because we know what's good for us. Anything can become a ritual, though, if one fails to realise its significance or meaning.

Lastly, I want to say that one might not agree with the make-up and be into fashion all that much, but be careful what you say (or in this case, type). You never know when your unnecessary harsh words will push someone off the path of Sikhi.

http://www.singhstreetstyle.com/ It's pretty much the male version of the same thing, yet these guys get loads more support from us lot than the bibi does. Everyone is thrilled when they appear in magazines and on billboards. Just think about it, peeps.

Did Singh Street Style get the same/ this level of criticism?