It is a totally false argument that Sikhism believes all paths lead to the same goal and thus all religions are equal. From its very inception, Gurmat (the Guru’s Path) has been declared a unique and distinct path.

Bhai Gurdaas jee writes: “In the world, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji established the authority (of his doctrines) and started a Path (of religion), devoid of any impurity.” (Vaar 1, Pauree 45 – Bhai Gurdaas Ji)

The claim that all paths lead to the same goal is covered in Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh ji’s book ‘Anhad Shabad Dasam Duar - Open discussion of unstruck ethereal music at tenth door of divine-abode’ - pages 46-47:
QUOTE
"The Liberation-state of Gurmat is unique and different in concept from other religious faiths. Liberation is not the mere ending-up of the human body or just an escapement of the soul from its bodily cage. Some envisage liberation as riddance from afflictions associated with the human body. They believe liberation is unattainable as so long as the soul is caged within the human body. Others identify liberation as the fulfillment of their desires to abide in a heavenly abode. However, this kind of liberation falls very short compared to the Gurmat concept of liberation. Liberation is not the banishment of imagined pain and sorrow, nor can it be described as the disassociation of the soul-being from materialism. Yogic faith conceives liberation as empty consciousness through meditational practices that bear no semblance to the Gurmat concept. Vedantic faith believes in the removal of duality to arrive at oneness with The Absolute, in order to be liberated. Buddhism believes liberation to be a state of total renunciation of desire and negative thought - Nirvana. Jainism considers that non-violence and non-killing leads to liberation. Mere escape from transmigration is not the essence of True Liberation....Gurmat considers the above listed forms of liberation as halfway and incomplete. The swan-bird Gurmukhs who are blessed with Divine Enlightenment reject all these forms. They merge with The Divine Immaculate Light whilst living; they envision The Glorious Lord in full Divine Splendor.

Gurmukhs are sustained by the nourishment of Naam-Divine, while they behold The Lord at all times. They find True Liberation within this Love-Divine...Their Liberation lies in the sole occupation of Naam-Devotion, in accordance with Gurmat. This supreme state is reached through complete dedication, when one takes refuge within The Guru...what is not sought is a form of liberation devoid of God-Realisation."

In Hindu or Vedantic traditions, Liberation = various states according to different schools i.e. freedom from transmigration, realisation of self as God (Sohang) etc. In Buddhism, Liberation = escape from desires / realisation of the nature of self / Nirvana. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Liberation = heavenly abode

In Sikhism, Liberation = absorption into Waheguru/Naam, the destruction of self/ego, the merging of Aatma (soul) into ParAatma (Universal Soul) - all of which can only be achieved through complete dedication to The Guru's teachings.

The concept of equality exemplified by Sikhi is not the result of a debate concerning religions. The Sikh concept of equality is an inward and outward acceptance of all and seeing everyone as a soul with the same divine father, rather than religious labels, which results directly from the practice of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee's teachings.When it comes to true enlightenment, or liberation, Guru jee is very clear about its unique nature and definition within Gurmat; and in doing so we are taught who and what really is The True Teacher. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji over and over stresses the importance of "Gurmat Naam". Without Gurmat Naam no one can merge in Waheguru or reach ‘Sach Khand’ (the spiritual Realm of Truth). In the House of Guru Nanak only Naam is found, the only tool to experience and merge into God.

“God has given this gift. Nanak’s home is filled with only Naam, the Name of Waheguru. ||4||4||” (Ang 1136)

Without Naam, no one can be liberated and merge with God. Gurbani is clear about this fact:

“Those enshrined the True Name within their heart, those within is the flowing current of Naam, and those whose consciousness is attached to the vibrations of the Guru's Baani obtain all comforts and liberation from Maya (the illusionary world). O Nanak! Without the Naam, no one is saved; You too swim across to the other side this true way in which there no chance of drowning. ||9||7||” (Ang 1013)

Sikhism is unique by the fact that it does not condemn others to Hell or say if you are not Sikh you are eternally damned, like in Islam. Rather a Sikh prays at least twice daily for "Sarbat Da Bhallaa", meaning the good and prosperity of all Humanity regardless of religion, belief or faith. "May the Divine-Name preached by Nanak be exalted. May all prosper and be blessed within Your Will." (Daily Sikh Ardaas)

Unless someone receives Gurmat Naam from Guru Nanak, there is no liberation. They will be rewarded for their good karma, but not liberated. But they don't want liberation! Christians are content with heaven, and they will receive it. But then they will enter the cycle of births and deaths again, hopefully in a life, which will bring them closer to liberation.

Gurmat (Guru's path) respect of all religions goes as far as saying that they are not sent to eternal hell, they will get what they work for. Like Harmandir Sahib: God is open and available to all directions and all people of the world, but the path to God is ONE: Gurmat.

About other faiths: "Some are Jains, wasting their time in the wilderness; by their pre-ordained destiny, they are ruined.” (Ang 1285)

”The Hindu is (spiritually) blind; the Muslim has only one eye.” (Ang 875)

“Prabhati: (O Hindu and Muslim brothers!) call the religions of the Vedas and Semitic books & Quran false. Those who do not realise this are false.” (Ang 1350) All faiths will get what they work towards.

Guru Nanak Sahib Ji is the only True Guru who has preached Naam, and given Gurmat-Naam. Only Gurmat has a concept such as Sach Khand and God-Realisation in such a clear way. Thus, Gurmat is the only path to Sach Khand, i.e. merging with God.

People ask:, “If Sikhs claims that there are “no chosen people”, why must people adhere to Sikhism to be saved?

“No chosen people” means that no one is created higher than the other. Sikhism clearly says that only those will be accepted in the court of Waheguru who live true way of life as taught by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This opportunity is only offered by becoming a Sikh. Khalsa is protector of justice and honor, fights injustice and oppression and always stands on the truth.

In that sense, those who become Khalsa are indeed “chosen” to walk the path of spirituality and reunite with the Creator. Becoming a Khalsa is an honor and Muslims should consider themselves lucky to have such a beautiful path offered to them. It is for their own benefit to give up their incomplete and imperfect faith and adopt the Sikh way of life.

Gurmat is against all blind rituals that have no meaning. The 5 K’s were given to us by our Guru as our external identity.

Simply wearing any article of clothing will not make us a better person, but a person who is living an internal spiritual discipline, the outer uniform helps reinforce that commitment. We are all affiliated to someone or something, the 5K’s is our commitment to uphold the ideals of our Gurus.

There are many kinds of rituals some may call these meaningless also : Fasting, facing in a particular direction when praying, slaughtering an innocent animal in the name of God, shaving ones head, throwing pebbles at a stone pillar, offering water to your ancestors and snip snip of the circumcision. ( ouch yaar !)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Siree Raag

The Lord's Name is not within your heart, but all sorts of other tastes seem sweet to you.
You have no wisdom at all, no meditation, no virtue or self-discipline; in falsehood, you are caught in cycle of birth and death.
Pilgrimages, fasts, purification and self-discipline are of no use, nor are rituals, religious ceremonies or empty worship.
O Nanak, emancipation comes only by loving devotional worship; through duality, people are engrossed in duality. ||2||ang 75

We keep kesh (hair) because the Guru instructed us to do so.

Kesh are also a marker of Sikh identity that identify to the world who is a Sikh. Sikhs walk the earth announcing proudly their religion while others give no sign of their convictions. In addition, hair and nails are totally different. Having long nails inhibits use of the hand. Long hair is even a reflection of good health, it is also not an impediment to daily life. Isn't it a slap in the face of those people who shave, when a day later the hair returns? Do they not think that maybe it is how God intended!

Kesh ( hair ) are Guru Ki Mohar ( Stamp).

The kesh is the Stamp of your Guru, look around even till this day, no other religion insists on Kesh specifically to both sexes and yet every prophet had long hair – Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Mohammed, even Sri Ram Chandra Ji and Bhagwan Krishan Ji in old texts are depicted with long hair.

It is a unique, royal, elegant sign of power and divine. All most all the portraits of Imaginary GOD in the east and in the West always have long hair on the head and a beard. Do you ever think why that is? It is because subconsciously throughout the world it is recognised that hair on the head and beard in man resembles something divine, kind, loving, rich and powerful.

You can do a little test your self, take two pictures of a similar aged age man dressed in similar clothing with similar body language and facial expression, one having short hair and clean shaven and the other having long hair and full beard, they do not need to have a turban, then ask anybody at random to point out who looks more religious. Regardless of the persons background I am sure they will pick the person with long hair and beard.

Think for yourself why in 2010 somebody will think that long hair and beard represent something religious and divine.

I give you another example from the world around you, go to any local library and go to the children’s section, pick any children’s book and look for stories of a princess, all most all the photos of a princess will be with long hair, now ask your self why that is? Subconsciously human beings know the value of long hair, it is just the incredible high level of wisdom of Guru Sahib Ji that he made these simple but fantastic things an integral part of the Khalsa.

It is that reason that Guru Gobind Singh Ji made his choice to simply give the divine, kind, loving, rich, elegant yet powerful image to his Khalsa.

In gurbani it is stated that God also has long hair.

Raag Wadahans, First Mehl:
Your eyes are so beautiful, and Your teeth are delightful.
Your nose is so graceful, and Your hair is so long.
Your body is so precious, cast in gold.
His body is cast in gold, and He wears Krishna's mala; meditate on Him, O sisters.
You shall not have to stand at Death's door, O sisters, if you listen to these teachings.
From a crane, you shall be transformed into a swan, and the filth of your mind shall be removed.|7|p566.