Arm yourself with knowledge.  

Let us iterate once again that we hold no animosity towards any one, in fact religious harmony is an ideal which we should all strive towards.

 

What is Sikhisms views evolution?
     

If Waheguru Ji didn't create a reason to the causes of the world then scientists and the rest of the world would have believed in the existence of God. However, to test human beings, Waheguru Ji created proof to everything that occurs in life in worldly-wise, except for Himself. Nearly every human being has come up with this, 'Believe what you see', and so reality is hidden from the eye of the Manmukhs but not to the ones who perform great devotion to Guru Ji through means of: Naam Bhagati, rehit and reciting Gurus bani. For example, everything that is normally shown in a movie such as demons, witches, angels, fairies, supernatural powers, etc, really do exist but the real illusion is actually the pleasure attained from watching the movie.

Secondly, ‘the descent with modification’ is obviously true in some ways, as the change normally occurs in the gene frequency. However, there’s another fact that totally goes against that, where in spiritual terms whenever a human being commits a sin the soul is effected every time; depending on how many sins they’ve committed the result of that is shown on the soul. I really don’t know if you’ve seen a ghost but the ghosts look completely hideous due to the sins they have committed, which are many. Now in reality the humans have changed, partly from their genes but more importantly from their sins, which have gradually increased throughout the ages from Satyug, Tretayug, Dvapar and now Kalyug.

 

The theory believes the Earth is 4.6 billion years old and that life formed for the first time 3.85 billion years ago.’ This fact may be true due to the vast creation that slowly increased from the first Age. At the first age human beings were not created, only beings such as gods, angels, demons, etc existed, but because of the discipline in the past ages the gift of a Human body was bestowed in this age - Kalyug. Therefore, essentially the life form only changes due to the actions of the people. Also, Gurbani illustrates that there are many earths similar to this one and the stories being played on this earth are also being played on all the other earths as well.

Every distraction from religion in this life is Maya, the queen of illusion, that makes every being fall in love with her, even though at the end she deceives all. Due to this evidence that when the messenger of death comes for the sinful being the demons inside of the body escape and instead the soul is caught. Then the soul is dragged by the neck with iron chains and brought to Dharam Khand (the realm in where the souls are judged).

The truth is only shown to the ones that love Waheguru Ji and not Maya, as the life we live in now is just a short dream, a magic-show, the actual reality is in the afterlife and in this life which is Sikhism.

 
Shabad by Guru Nanak Dev Ji on panna 1035 Guru Granth Sahib Ji :
 

"For endless eons, there was only utter darkness. There was no earth or sky; there was only the infinite Command of His Hukam. There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound Samaadhi. || 1 ||

There were no sources of creation or powers of speech, no air or water. There was no creation or destruction, no coming or going. There were no continents, nether regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. || 2 ||

There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld. There was no heaven or hell, no death or time. There was no hell or heaven, no birth or death, no coming or going in reincarnation. || 3 ||

There was no Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva. No one was seen, except the One Lord. There was no female or male, no social class or caste of birth; no one experienced pain or pleasure. || 4 ||

There were no people of celibacy or charity; no one lived in the forests. There were no Siddhas or seekers, no one living in peace. There were no Yogis, no wandering pilgrims, no religious robes; no one called himself the master. || 5 ||

There was no chanting or meditation, no self-discipline, fasting or worship. No one spoke or talked in duality. He created Himself, and rejoiced; He evaluates Himself. || 6 ||

There was no purification, no self-restraint, no malas of basil seeds. There were no Gopis, no Krishna, no cows or cowherds. There were no tantras, no mantras and no hypocrisy; no one played the flute. || 7 ||

There was no karma, no Dharma, no buzzing fly of Maya. Social class and birth were not seen with any eyes. There was no noose of attachment, no death inscribed upon the forehead; no one meditated on anything. || 8 ||

There was no slander, no seed, no soul and no life. There was no Gorakh and no Maachhindra. There was no spiritual wisdom or meditation, no ancestry or creation, no reckoning of accounts. || 9 ||

There were no castes or social classes, no religious robes, no Brahmin or Kh'shaatriya. There were no demi-gods or temples, no cows or Gaayatri prayer. There were no burnt offerings, no ceremonial feasts, no cleansing rituals at sacred shrines of pilgrimage; no one worshipped in adoration. || 10 ||

There was no Mullah, there was no Qazi. There was no Shaykh, or pilgrims to Mecca. There was no king or subjects, and no worldly egotism; no one spoke of himself. || 11 ||

There was no love or devotion, no Shiva or Shakti - no energy or matter. There were no friends or companions, no semen or blood. He Himself is the banker, and He Himself is the merchant. Such is the Pleasure of the Will of the True Lord. || 12 ||

There were no Vedas, Korans or Bibles, no Simritees or Shaastras. There was no recitation of the Puraanas, no sunrise or sunset. The Unfathomable Lord Himself was the speaker and the preacher; the unseen Lord Himself saw everything. || 13 ||

When He so willed, He created the world. Without any supporting power, He sustained the universe. He created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; He fostered enticement and attachment to Maya. || 14 ||

How rare is that person who listens to the Word of the Guru's Shabad. He created the creation, and watches over it; the Hukam of His Command is over all. He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. || 15 ||

No one knows His limits. This understanding comes from the Perfect Guru. O Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth are wonder struck; singing His Glorious Praises, they are filled with wonder. || 16 ||"

 
We can sensibly combine what the Guru teaches and what science has discovered so far. We can believe and make a good use of what evolutionary psychologists say. However, we should not take their word as gospel, for one reason, that science is not complete. If we believe in our Guru, then, Guru has the last word. Our faith in the Guru should not be disturbed just because someone has discovered some new and fascinating phenomenon, this is a sign of spiritual immaturity.

The function of Guru is to shed light where we cannot see. Guru says that there are some things in our life that we will never understand. If we have not reached this conclusion ourselves then, we have a long way to go yet. This is why it is written: "Thinking and pondering a million times cannot yield the Truth. Being silent, to a compete state of thoughtlessness, real silence is not achieved. Desires and deficiencies are not fulfilled, even if we acquired all the goods of the universe. Millions of wise and clever ideas are useless in the end." (SGGS p.1)

Guru says, "This mind is a combination of matter, as well as well as the consciousness. This mind is a product of the five elements. But, if one can make this mind remain in its higher state of consciousness, one can see everything in the three worlds (the whole universe)." (SGGS p.342)

Listening to the Guru does not mean that we should ignore science. However, whenever, without any proof, the scientists claim that something does not exist, simply because, they cannot find it, and if this view contradicts my Guru's teaching, then, we follow the Guru. Time has continued to prove that Guru Sahib Ji is always correct.

 
If the Gurus said that all religions lead to the same path, you'll be ok whichever religion you're in.
This is a complete false argument that Sikhism believes all paths lead to the same goal and thus all religions are equal. From its very inception, Gurmat has been declared a unique and distinct path.

Bhai Gurdaas writes:

"the Guru has created the mighty Gurmukh panth. This panth keeps itself away from the boundaries of the Vedas and the Semitic scriptures..." (Bhai Gurdas, 23.19)

Guru Granth Sahib Ji over and over stresses the importance of "Gurmat Naam". Without Gurmat Naam no one can find God or reach sachkhand. Gurmat Naam is only available in the house of Guru Nanak: "Nanak kai ghar keval (only) , naam" .

So, unless someone receives Gurmat Naam from Guru Nanak, there is no liberation. They will be rewarded for their good deeds and good karma, but their will be no liberation.

 

Christians are content with heaven, and they will receive it. The Muslims also long for heaven but also lust after the 72 virgins but they will not get them, for they are decieved. But this heaven they speak of is only a temporary stage once they have completed their stay they will enter the cycle of births and deaths again, endless and ongoing. Only with Gods grace in their life will they one day come closer to liberation. Gurmat, the Guru's way, respects all religions and will go as far as saying that they are not sent to hell, but they will only get what they work for. All faiths will get what they work towards, but only Gurmat has a concept such as a true path to Satch Khand and God-realisation in such a clear way. Thus, Gurmat is the only path to Sach Khand and the ultimate merger with AkaalPurkh.

 

Like Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple : God is open and available in all directions and to all the people of the world, but the path to God is ONE : Gurmat.

Were not the guru’s products and derivatives of there own society?

Born in a Hindu dominant Society where Caste system and ritual were the key to everything, the first thing Guru Nanak Dev ji did was dismiss the tilak and Jenu as a useless ritual and pointless thing to have, and instead made friends with Muslim Mardana ( even today in India many Hindus do not even like touch Muslims).

 
Guru Nanak Dev Ji also called Babar ( Muslim Ruler) a Jabar ( atrocious ) in open with astonishing bravery.


 
  Guru Amar Daas Ji in Siree Raag on Pannaa 27
Those who hear and believe in the Word of the Guru's Shabad, meditate on the Lord in their minds.
Night and day, they are steeped in devotion; their minds and bodies become pure.
The color of the world is false and weak; when it washes away, people cry out in pain.
Those who have the Radiant Light of the Naam within, become steady and stable, forever and ever. ||3||
 
In other faiths women are given such respect what about sikhism?
 

ONLY in Sikhism is woman given such a high status. Look at how the Gurus praise women.

"We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. We grow up stronger and wiser having drunk milk from the breast of woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings? The woman is born from
woman; there is none without her. Only the One True Lord is without woman" (Guru Nanak Dev, Var Asa, p. 473)

Marriage is an equal partnership of love and sharing between husband and wife.

"They are not husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one spirit in two bodies." (Guru Amar Das, Pauri, p 788)

Women have an equal right to participate in the congregation.

"Come my sisters and dear comrades! Clasp me in thine embrace. Meeting together, let us tell the tales of our Omnipotent Spouse (God). In the True Lord are all merits, in us all demerits." (Guru Nanak Dev, Sri Rag, p 17)


   

God is the husband and we are all his brides.


"The spouse is but One and all others are His brides. The false bride assumes many religious garbs. When the Lord stops her going into another's home, then is she summoned into her Lord's mansion without any let and hindrance. She is adorned with his Name and is dear to her True Lord. She alone is the true bride and the Lord lends her His support." (Guru Nanak Dev, Ramkali, p 933)

The practice of women burning themselves on their husband's funeral pyre (sati) condemned.


"They cannot be called satis, who burn themselves with their dead husbands. They can only be called satis, if they bear the shock of separation. They may also be known as satis, who live with character and contentment and always show veneration to their husbands by remembering them." (Guru Amar Das, Var Suhi, p 787)

The ritual of dowry so prevalent in many societies condemned.


"Any other dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gilding. O' my Father! give me the Name of Lord God as a gift and dowry." (Guru Ram
Das, Sri Rag, p 79)


As can be seen only in Sikhism is the status of women so high, unlike other faiths where a value of a women in half that of a man, where a man can divoce his wife by repeating the phrase "I divorce you" three times or where a women needs the witness of three men of upstanding character if she is to accuse her husband of any inpropriority.

 

What of these verses from Dasam Granth Sahib :

'Khharti Ka Poot Hon, Baahman Ko Nahey, Kaiy Tapp Aavat Hon Jo Karon'. "I am son of Khatri and not of Brahman who does 'Tap'."
"Teh Ham Adhik Tappasya Saadhi". (Guru Gobind Singh Ji) Here I did so much 'Tap' (in his previous life).
 
Meaning of tapa is universal and continuous for at least the last 5000 years of known history of Indian civilisations and from the ancient past numerous great sages have nurtured this ancient system of tapa and the Gurus being latest and purest in this series.

It is all a mtter of circumstance. Everybody can and should do tapa in normal peaceful times. But when tyrants are harassing humanity, tapa is not recommended. Guru Gobind Singh Ji says that all those who have fire in them and sensitiveness towards defence of innocent people, those who use their power to defend the weak and innocent people (Real meaning of Khatri not todays stamping by birth) they will take up arms and fight with oppression and not do tapa.

In the Bhagwad Gita also, Arjuna wants to do tapa but Bhagwan Krishan Ji asks him that this is not the right time to do this, war is upon you and tyrants are ready to eliminate humanity. Justice is awaited by a woman whose modesty was compromised in open parliament. Therefore Arjuna, being a Khatri, performed his duty and passed on Tapa and took his bow and arrow to kill the enemy.

Therefore, the real meaning of Gurus Ji's words has to be understood with the background of circumstance in mind. Humanity was trembling at that time, fake tapaswis and yogis could not do anything. Humanity was suffering, righteousness was being ridiculed and evil was being forced on humanity. Therefore Guru Sahib Ji is saying I am a son of a Khatri and must do my duty to uphold rightoeousness and uproot evil, the time for tapasia like that of a Brahmin is not now. Tapa is meant for peaceful days, but when the enemy is sitting upon your, ready to attack your identity, teerath, daan, daya, tap and sanyam all become vain. Sword is the only sadhna under such circumstances. This is the meaning of the mentioned lines.
 
 
Extra information
 
  Sikhs do not believe in fasting
Sikhs do not believe in the tilak and jineu, marks of the Hindu
Sikhs do not believe in high caste or low, all are one in the eyes of the Lord.
Sikhs do not hold any significance in ritual shaving of the head.
Sikhs reject of Idol worship
Although Sikhs respect great deities like Brahama, Shivji and Vishnu they are of no significance.
Sikhism does not look down upon people who follow other religions as "inferior, non-believer, etc". That is one reason why you don't see Sikh Missionaries actively pursuing conversions.
Sikhism is a religion of Equality. Equality between Men and Women and also stressing "universal equality" amongst all human beings
Sikhism is a modern way of life, it doesn't subject people to valueless rituals. A few examples being the caste system, bathing in holy rivers, facing a certain direction for a prayer, slaughtering animals in the name of God, circumcision.
 
God himself spoke to Guru Nanak Dev Ji the founder of Sikhism on the "Day of Revelation", when Guru Nanak Dev Ji was called to God' home and given his directives to preach to this world.

God spoke the following verse on this most blessed day to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the entire world. Known as the Mul Mantra. The very first verse written in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh scripture) and found at many other places before other hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

  Ik Onkar (God is One)
Sat Nam ( His name is True)
Kartaa Purakh (He is the Creator)
Nirbhau (He is without fear)
Nirvair (He is inimical to none)
Akal-murat (He never dies)
Ajooni (He is beyond births and deaths)
Saibhang ( He is self illuminated)
Gurprasaad (He is realized by the kindness of the True Guru)
Jap (Repeat His Name)

And in God's court Guru Nanak spoke the following, which God accepted and condoned, and comes rigtt after "Jap".

  Aad sach (He is True in the beginning, (before the anything (universe) existed)
Jugaad sach (He was True when the ages commenced and has ever been True)
Hai bhi sach (He is also True now)
Nanak hosi bhi sach. ((Satguru) Nanak (says that) he will be certainly True in the future.)

 

Sikhism is a religion which builds character. It tells its followers to be "hard workers" to earn their daily bread. To share this with others, as well as to remember the Lord in their heart. Hence within Sikhism, there is a compassion towards all of humanity, a fact of social reform.
Sikhism is the only religion that allows all people, of any caste, colour, creed, religion to come to "ANY"! of their holy places, without restriction, and be given equal respect in all matters.
Sikhism is the only religion where the Scripture is written by the Prophet of the religion who was in divine communication with God, out of all the other worldly religions whose scriptures were written later by people.
Sikhism is the only religion that has in its Scripture, Hymns of Divine saints who had attained that state of perfection and communion with God in life. Be them Muslim or Hindu (from every caste). Hence Sikhism is truly a religion that has broken down barriers between religions. That is why Hindu and Muslim saints divine hymns from God are also recorded in Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
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