What Can Gurdwaras Do To Attract Young Punjabis Who Are Agnostic Or Atheist

[deepsinghmangat]

agnostic being they don't really follow religion and don't know if their is a god or not

atheist are people who don't follow god

sam harris is a very famous atheist but he is in love with Buddhist philosophy an applies it into his life which empowers him

and keeps him mentally healthy along with people like steve jobs

what aspects of sikhi an Sikh philosophy can be applied by non believers to improve their lives?

[Big_Tera]

alot

This is a very good topic.

What we need in Sikh temples is to utilize technology more. Lets speak in the language that youth actually understand.

So we could have a big screen with English translations of whatever is taking place. Such as reading of the SGGS or Shabads.

That way people will actually think they are learning something new. Instead of just going and listening to something they don't understand. This will stop them getting bored also.

Essentially we need to teach people the essentials of the Sikh faith. Lets not over complicate matters as this puts people off as they are daunted by it.

To be a good Sikh or whatever religion you maybe.

You just have to follow the basics of that religions.

what are the basics??

basically avoid the five thieves. Once you have done that you have basically have followed 99% of the religion. That is what religion essentially is a guide book on life. Follow this and everything will fall into place. You don't need to do any special customs or traditions to come closer to god. When you avoid the five theives you will naturally become closer to God. As your mind is not on lust/greed/anger/attachment) and hankaar.

people who are indulging in these five virtues cannot actually experience god or see any benefit from religion as the mind is not at ease.

I know this as I was was indulging in the five thieves without even knowing it. when I was in this state. I got no joy from listening to a simple shabad or anything like that. As my mind was attached to other drugs of life. Its only when All the drugs of the five thieves are removed is when you will understand what a shabad is. So thats why people dont even feel they can get anything from religion . its because their mental state needs to be clear first to get the benefit from Sikhism. Its like people who experience ecstasy when they listen to a shabad. but if you already on drugs/ or drunk on the five thieves how are you going to experience the ecstasy of the shabad?

Its like eating when you already full you will not get any enjoyment from in. Its only when you mind/soul/heart/brain becomes pure and clean will you understand the beauty of Sikhism. And to do that you must rid yourself of the five evils. if you do that you are following 99% of Sikhism.. Everything else will fall into place when you do that. you will become a kinder person/ more happy ect. I know this As when I completely came away from the five theives thats when your in ecstasy It was not easy but I did it and its easy to do when you know what to stop doing.

Just follow the simple message. When people know the simple message of Sikhism thats when people will flock to Sikhism.

[deepsinghmangat]

one thing gurdwaras can do is show how people can remain agnostic if they want to and still apply Sikh teachings to improve their lives

one way is educating people on power of meditation and how it neuroplasticity explains the healthy effects on meditations on the brain

an why atheists like sam harris follow Buddhist philosophy with out believing in any higher power or superstitions

[jkvlondon]

one thing gurdwaras can do is show how people can remain agnostic if they want to and still apply Sikh teachings to improve their lives

one way is educating people on power of meditation and how it neuroplasticity explains the healthy effects on meditations on the brain

an why atheists like sam harris follow Buddhist philosophy with out believing in any higher power or superstitions

Not really the function of a gurdwara ...it is a dharamshala, a place of learning, and doing vichar of dharam so all they would hear is how Sikhi works and what it believes . They are welcome now, always have been to join in and ask and learn.

Obviously you have not been in the company of Buddhists, they have superstitions too and pray to devte too, so they also believe in higher powers.

[Ranjeet01]

Problem with "agnostic" Sikhs is that their view Waheguru from an Abrahamic framework. They have been conditioned by the western mindset, they need to consider things from a Dharmic mindset.

[deepsinghmangat]

Jkvlondon I am talking about atheists who follow the buddhist philosophy like meditation but don't believe in superstition

For example youtube sam harris atheist buddhism

Buddhism provides different philosophies for different type of ppl to apply in their lives from believers to non believers

[deepsinghmangat]

Actually agnostics don't know if their is a god or if their is a god what that god is

Agnostics believe their isn't enough evidence to say their is a god or isn't a god n don't practise religion

[JagsawSingh]

From what I've noticed the younger (and even older UK, Canada and American born etc) absolutely adore simran but absolutely abhor dhadis. They detest it.

I'm gonna be honest here and say that I usually get up and go downstairs to the langar hall whenever the dhadi ragis come on stage. It's a musical artform that is at least 100 years past it's sell-by date and is, quite frankly, usually somewhat offensive to the ears.

Beautifull kirtan, simran, is what draws the younger sangat towards the gurdwara. Even when they can't understand it the sheer blissful beauty draws them in. The dhadis have the complete opposite effect.

[luckysingh99]

From what I've noticed the younger (and even older UK, Canada and American born etc) absolutely adore simran but absolutely abhor dhadis. They detest it.

I'm gonna be honest here and say that I usually get up and go downstairs to the langar hall whenever the dhadi ragis come on stage. It's a musical artform that is at least 100 years past it's sell-by date and is, quite frankly, usually somewhat offensive to the ears.

Beautifull kirtan, simran, is what draws the younger sangat towards the gurdwara. Even when they can't understand it the sheer blissful beauty draws them in. The dhadis have the complete opposite effect.

I think you are 'spot on' there !

I'm UK born and also prefer the kirtan and simran flowing with gurbani........don't get me wrong here though....because I do like the dhadi music but would rather not have it drumming my ears in that personal space and bond that I make in the proximity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

I very much enjoy listening to dhadis like Tarsem moranwali whilst at home or in the car....but when he was present in the gurdwara and screaming the notes at the top of his voice.... It was all too much for me and took away that inner peace that I had entered the gurdwara with.

However, on a good note.... I must say that the awareness of simran is growing and that is definitely with the help of the western interest in meditation.

[SSD]

What we need in Sikh temples is to utilize technology more. Lets speak

basically avoid the five thieves. Once you have done that you have basically have followed 99% of the religion. That is what religion essentially is a guide book on life. Follow this and everything will fall into place. You don't need to do any special customs or traditions to come closer to god. When you avoid the five theives you will naturally become closer to God. As your mind is not on lust/greed/anger/attachment) and hankaar.

people who are indulging in these five virtues cannot actually experience god or see any benefit from religion as the mind is not at ease.

I know this as I was was indulging in the five thieves without even knowing it. when I was in this state. I got no joy from listening to a simple shabad or anything like that. As my mind was attached to other drugs of life. Its only when All the drugs of the five thieves are removed is when you will understand what a shabad is. So thats why people dont even feel they can get anything from religion . its because their mental state needs to be clear first to get the benefit from Sikhism. Its like people who experience ecstasy when they listen to a shabad. but if you already on drugs/ or drunk on the five thieves how are you going to experience the ecstasy of the shabad?

Its like eating when you already full you will not get any enjoyment from in. Its only when you mind/soul/heart/brain becomes pure and clean will you understand the beauty of Sikhism. And to do that you must rid yourself of the five evils. if you do that you are following 99% of Sikhism.. Everything else will fall into place when you do that. you will become a kinder person/ more happy ect. I know this As when I completely came away from the five theives thats when your in ecstasy It was not easy but I did it and its easy to do when you know what to stop doing.

Just follow the simple message. When people know the simple message of Sikhism thats when people will flock to Sikhism.

All of this can only be done with Guru Sahib's grace, you can not win by yourself.