Sikhism and Christianity: A Comparative Study: Difference between revisions

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There are common principles ideas in all religions of the world and this is also true for [[Sikhism]] and [[Christianity]]
There are common principles ideas in all religions of the world and this is also true for [[Sikhism]] and [[Christianity]]


A [[Christian]] is someone who lives according to the teachings of [[Jesus]]. The word ‘[[Sikh]]’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘'''Shishya'''’ meaning disciple or student of [[dharma]] (spirituality) and is someone who follows the teachings of the '''10 Sikh Masters''',which are all embodied in the 11th and final master,which is the '''Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji''' ([[SGGS]]),the word.
A [[Christian]] is someone who lives according to the teachings of [[Jesus]]. The word ‘[[Sikh]]’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘'''Shishya'''’ meaning disciple or student of [[dharma]] (spirituality) and is someone who follows the teachings of the '''10 Sikh Masters''',which are all embodied in the 11th and final master, which is the '''Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji''' ([[SGGS]]), the word.  


==Similarities==
==Similarities==
'''Oneness Of God'''
===God’s attributes===
Sikhs and Christians describe God as being one and omnipresent, however, both of these attributes have important differences as well (for differences read below). Sikhs share other divine attributes with Christians, especially with the first person of the trinity, called “Father”: eternal, uncreated, truthful, omnipresent, loving, universal, self-existent, creator, light, almighty, Father, transcendent, immanent, inmutable, merciful, Lord, giver, without sin.


Both [[Sikhs]] and [[Christians]] accept that [[God]] is one. In [[Christianity]] this is described as the trinity consisting of [[God]] the Father, [[Jesus Christ]] and the Holy Spirit,three aspects of a single deity. Sikhism teaches that God is both within the Creation and separate from it at the same time. The [[SGGSJ]] says, "You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one. You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light. By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all."
Christians believe that the Holy Spirit, which is considered divine by most of them, can enter inside a human. Sikhs believe in the presence of the divine soul within.


===Introduction===
=== Humility ===
There are common principles ideas in all religions of the world and this is also true for Sikhism and Christianity. A Christian is someone who lives according to the teachings of Jesus. The word ‘Sikh’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Shishya’ meaning disciple or student of dharma (spirituality) and is someone who follows the teachings of the 10 Sikh Masters, which are all embodied in the 11th and final mas- ter, which is the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGSJ), the Word.
When Jesus was about to die, he gave his disciples a humility lesson by washing their feet. The Sikh scripture has many examples of the importance of humility and gentle sweetness. The SGGSJ says, "…Architect of Destiny: please fulfil this yearning of my mind. Says Nanak, Your slave, begs for this happiness: let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints."


===History of Christians and Sikhs===
===Abstinence ===
The Church has opposed the abolition of slavery, been responsible for the forced conversion of many people such as Native American Indians, Jews in
The human body is described as the temple of God in The Bible, which says: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?...For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." The Sikh way of life shares this view.
Spain and Portugal, and have been responsible for meaningless holy wars, such as the crusades. The history of the Sikh community is completely
In order to respect the body, illicit drugs are forbidden in both Sikhism and Christianity and there are tendencies towards vegetarianism or abstaining from meat and alcohol in both.
different, and is one which has upheld the qualities of service to humanity, unconditional love and right of people to practice whatever faith they wish.  


===Equality between Men and Women===
===Prayer/Meditation===
Christian views of women vary considerably today and have varied even more throughout the last two millennia. The Bible and Christianity in general have been interpreted as prescribing separate gender roles, with women being commanded to submit to male’s authority and excluded from Church leadership. Critics of Christianity regard the prescribed gender roles as unequal and accuse Christianity of being misogynistic and incompatible with gender equality. Sikhism promotes complete gender equality between the sexes. There is no position reserved solely for a male and no prescription of separate gender roles.
Christians believe that God created humans to have a relationship with him. This is why God created a universe fit for human life, and why God laid down guidelines for how to live our lives. Sikhism describes the relationship with God by saying that the goal of human life is to merge soul (Atma) with God (Paramatma) through love, devotion and service. This latter Sikh view is shared somehow by some eastern orthodox Christians through the concept of Theosis.  


===The Ultimate Sacrifice===
Sikhs believe that meditation on the Granth draws them closer to God; it
The Bible says that when Jesus was on the cross, he experienced separation from God and he said "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Sikhs have also had to endure huge hardships and two out of the ten Sikh Gurus were martyred. However, the Sikh Masters and all their disciples never experienced separation from God. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Master, was tortured for five days and five nights. He was made to sit in boiling water and made to sit on a scorching iron plate with sand
cleanses a person from sin and instills godly qualities in him. They see it as a means of salvation. Christians value meditation, although they prefer prayer as a way of drawing closer to God, hearing his voice and discerning his will.
poured over his body. The Guru tolerated this pain and sat there repeating, "All is happening, O Lord, according to Thy Will. Thy Will is ever sweet to me." Attitudes Towards Self Defence ‘Turn the other cheek’ is a famous phrase taken from the Sermon on the Mount in the Christian New Testament. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."


Sikhism does not solely support turning the other cheek as this will only work with people who have a conscience. Turning the cheek is not a tool to be used against dictators like Hitler. This is why Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Master said, "When all means of exhausting injustice have failed then it is indeed righteous to draw the sword”. When the sixth Master, Guru Hargobind Ji, was asked about the unusual mix of martial arts and meditation, the Guru said, "I am internally a hermit and externally a prince. Arms mean protection to the poor and destruction to the tyrant.
===Charity===
 
Giving to the poor and needy has historically been an important part of both Christianity and Sikhism. They also stress the importance of giving, both at a personal and at a community level. At a personal level,
Baba Nanak had not renounced the world but renounced Maya (materialism) and ego." Heaven and Hell The standard Christian position is that anyone who rejects Christ will end up in Hell where they will be punished for eternity. However, if they profess a belief in Christ then they will be given ever lasting life. Sikhism supports the theory of karma and
a Sikh is required to give ten percent (Dasvandh) of their income and time to noble causes; very similar to the christian concept of “tithing” common in several churches. At a community level, Sikhism encourages the running of free community services such as the Langar, or free kitchen, which serves meals to everyone. Christians, on the other hand, have built hospitals, food pantries, cemeteries, etc, for charitable purposes.
reincarnation. An all-loving God would not condemn a soul to eternal punishment. Every soul will get the opportunity to attain Oneness through many incarnations in the precious human form.  
 
===The Key to Salvation===
Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of humanity, so effectively our sins have now been paid, so long as we accept Jesus as our Saviour. Sikhs do not support the idea that by belief alone or a
religious label, one can attain salvation. The Sikh Gurus have taught that our good actions will give us liberation. The SGGSJ says, "Those who receive His Mercy obtain the True One. The Gurmukhs (those who follow the Guru’s Teachings) dwell forever in balanced restraint. By true actions, the True Lord is met, and the Guru's Teachings are found. Then, they are not subject to birth and death; they do not come and go in reincarnation."


==Similarities==
==Differences==  
===Oneness of God===
Both Sikhs and Christians accept that God is one. In Christianity this is described as the trinity consisting of God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, three aspects of a single deity. Sikhism teaches that
God is both within the Creation and separate from it at the same time. The SGGSJ says, "You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one. You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light. By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all."


The Humility of Christ and The Sikh Gurus Before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that he would soon return back to God, he gave his disciples a lesson in humility by washing their feet. Sikh history and the Sikh scripture is full of examples of the importance of humility and gentle sweetness. The SGGSJ says, "O Inner-knower, Searcher of Hearts, O Primal Being, Architect of Destiny: please fulfil this yearning of my mind. Says Nanak, Your slave, begs for this happiness: let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints."
=== Gender roles ===


Also, the SGGSJ says, "Those contented souls who meditate on the Lord with single-minded love, meet the True Lord. O Siblings of Destiny, become the dust of the feet of the humble Saints. In the Society of the
The Bible and Christianity in general have been interpreted as prescribing separate gender roles, with women being commanded to submit to male’s authority and excluded from Church leadership. Sikhism promotes complete gender equality. There is no position reserved solely for a male and no prescription of separate gender roles.  
Saints, the Guru is found. He is the Treasure of Liberation, the Source of all good fortune."
 
===Temple of God===
The human body is described as the temple of God. The Bible says,
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?...For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." This is the same view supported by the Sikh way of life, and this is why a Sikh abstains from alcohol, meat, drugs and smoking, because the temple must
be maintained and respected in order to serve others effectively.
 
===Purpose of Life===
Christians believe that God created humans to have a relationship with God. This is why God created a universe fit for human life, and why God laid down guidelines for how to live our lives. So it would follow, that the purpose of human life is to have a relationship with God. Sikhism expands on the concept of a relationship with God by saying that the goal of human life is to merge soul (Atma) with God (Paramatma) through love,
devotion and service.
 
===Charity===
Giving to the poor, widows and orphans has historically been an important part of Christian charity. Sikhism also stresses the importance of giving, both at a personal and a community level. At a personal level,
a Sikh is required to give ten percent (Dasvandh) of their income and time to noble causes. At a community level, Sikhism encourages the running of free community services such as the Langar, or free kitchen, which serves meals to everyone.
 
==Differences==
===Prophets and Children of God===
Christianity focuses on the teachings of Jesus alone, and considers Jesus the only son of God. Sikhism does not consider Jesus to be the only son of God. The SGGSJ says, "He cherishes all His beings and creatures, as the mother cares for her children. The Destroyer of pain, the Ocean of Peace, the Lord and Master gives sustenance to all."
 
Sikhism respects the divinity and contribution of all the sages, prophets and spiritual teachers but instead focus on the teachings given by the ten Sikh Masters which are considered to be the essence of all religious teachings, in their most preserved form, the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is because the SGGSJ is the only world scripture which was both written and signed by the Prophets/Gurus themselves.  
   
   
===Harmonisation of Science and Religion ===
===Scripture===  
It took the Catholic Church more than 300 years to apologise for imprisoning the great 17th Century astronomer Galileo Galilei because his research went against the Church’s teachings. The Bible also contains many unscientific ideas such as the seven day creation story called Genesis. In Genesis the light and the sun happened independent of each
other, and there were ‘days’ before the sun was created for the Earth to rotate around. Also, the order in which animals, plants and other elements of life appear contradict the order that appears in the  fossil records. Finally, the order of creation of the stars, the sun and planets also contradict what we know scientifically.
   
   
Sikhs encourage the development of technologies and science for the benefit of humanity. There are many passages from the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which show its harmony with modern science. An example is, "Having created the creation, He watches over it. By His Glance of Grace, He bestows happiness. There are planets, solar systems and galaxies. If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end. There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation. As He commands, so they exist."
There are several translations, authors and versions of the Bible. Scholars cannot confirm who were the authors of most of the manuscripts from the Bible and there are several textual variances between the different translations. Also, many contradictions arise between the books that compose the Bible. Proof of this is the enormous amount of Christian denominations (more than 1000), each interpreting differently and having their own preferred Bible version. The Sikh scripture was partially authored by the founders of the faith and it is still in a process of being investigated, translated and canonized, so there have not been significant scandals about it; but there are different interpretations in regards to important topics such as reincarnation or drinking alcohol.
===Authenticity of the Religious Scripture===
The Bible was not authored by Jesus and has gone through uncountable translations and changes over time. This has meant that although the gist of the message is still present, it is unclear what is the revealed Word of God and what is manmade opinion.
The Sikh scripture has only ever had two versions and both of these were compiled, reviewed and installed by the fifth and tenth Masters, Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji respectively. The message is presented in poetry format with a unique poem-author numbering system, which makes it difficult to modify, add or subtract content. Thus the Sikh scripture is the only one of its kind to be authored by the founders of the faith.
 
Despite the surface similarities between the two religions Sikhism and
Christianity are based on very different philosophies and practised for widely differing ends. When talking with a Sikh don't begin by listing what you consider the shortcomings of Sikhism. But do get to know how his beliefs and practices influence the, way he thinks about. spiritual matters..
 
===SCRIPTURE===
As the Guru Granth Sahib is made up entirely of poetry it is rich in mysticism and can be interpreted differently by different people. It is more a hymnbook than a statement of faith. The Bible does have some mystical passages but there is also a great deal of straightforward moral and ethical teaching, and statements about God's character and his activity in the world.
 
===THE NATURE OF GOD===
Guru Nanak emphasized the oneness of God and his role as the supreme creator. He presented him as supremely a God of love. But Nanak had no place for God's wrath. Men and women, he said, should not fear God's anger but be afraid of not receiving all the benefits of his love. In
contrast to Sikhism the Bible declares that God is righteous and holy. When his holy standards are violated he displays his wrath. Yet his wrath is not incompatible with his mercy and love. It is meant for the ultimate good of mankind. .
 
In some ways the Sikh concept of God is contradictory. Whereas some statements seem to mean he is personal others state that human souls eventually merge back into God, who is' an impersonal essence. The Westerner cannot resolve these apparently contradictory statements but
Sikhs seem to have no difficulty in doing so. God is said by them to be both the creator and the created, the fisherman and the fish, the water and the net.


===THE NATURE OF HUMAN BEINGS===
===Nature of God===
Sikhs deny the reality of man's sinful nature. They teach that people are
Guru Nanak emphasized the oneness of God and his role as the supreme creator. He presented him as supremely a God of love. Nanak had no place for God’s wrath. Men and women, he said, should not fear God's anger but be afraid of not receiving all the benefits of his love. In contrast to Sikhism the Bible declares that when God holy standards are violated he displays his wrath. Yet his wrath is not incompatible with his mercy and love. It is meant for the ultimate good of mankind.
essentially good; the divine spark within them needs only to be fanned into a flame of goodness. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that men inherit a sinful nature from Adam; a person's guilt must .be atoned for. Guru Nanak taught that a man's sins are moral lapses caused by his environment. They may be cleansed through meditation and prayer.


===UNIQUENESS OF CHRIST===
Most Christians believe in the concept of the Trinity, consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, three persons of a single deity. The trinitarian and christological concepts which are completely foreign to Sikhs, do not seem to have a clear foundation in the christian Bible, and could be confusing and illogical for most people. Panentheism on the other hand is completely foreign to westerners. Sikhism teaches that God is both within the Creation and separate from it at the same time. This idea can be as confusing and illogical to conceive as the Trinity. The SGGSJ says, "You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one. You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses." Some statements seem to mean he is personal, others state that human souls eventually merge back into God, who is an impersonal essence. God is said to be both the creator and the created, the fisherman and the fish, the water and the net.
This is the area of greatest disagreement between Sikhs and Christians. Sikhs reject the uniqueness of Christ as the only way to God. They say he is one with Moses, Mohammed, Buddha and the Gurus and that all paths to God are equally valid. The concept of faith in a person and the saving action of his death and resurrection are totally absent from Sikhism.


===SALVATION'===
Though some think evil spirits exist there is no sense of a single evil being (Satan) who opposes God for Sikhs. Evil, is the result of a person making wrong choices.
The Gurus taught that if deliverance is sought in the proper manner all will eventually receive it. Nevertheless most Sikhs are uncertain of salvation. Grace is viewed as something, which God bestows on those he chooses. A man or woman receives salvation when it is in their destiny to do, so. But given, enough time and rebirths all will eventually reach that point. So Sikhs believe that there is no such thing a seternal damnation; all -will eventually achieve deliverance from the bondage of
earthly life. Therefore ultimately no one is lost but is re-united with the divine absolute. There is no personal resurrection. The human soul is of the same essence as God, comes from God and will eventually be merged back into him. Heaven and hell are not places where individuals live for eternity but refer to different stages of a person 's earthly life. In contrast Christians believe that those who receive Christ as their Savior
are adopted into God's family. After their earthly life is over they will have eternal fellowship, with him in heaven. They will not lose their unique personal identity: Similarly hell, is a reality where those who have rejected the Lord will spend eternity.
 
===THE HOLY SPIRIT===
Christians believe that the presence and power of the Holy spirit is essential if a person is to live as God intends he should (Galatians 5:13-26). Sikhs believe in the presence of the divine soul within man but don't look to it as a means of helping them to live their earthly life. They have no satisfactory answer to the question of how a man can live a life that pleases God except, `try harder'. Christianity makes impossible
demands on a man or woman but at the same time indicates that the Holy Spirit is the power through whom these may be fulfilled. The concept of the Trinity is foreign to Sikhs. However their concept of Guru, Nam and Shabad (chapter 6) could be useful in explaining it.
 
===GOOD AND EVIL===
Despite the stress on the love of God in Sikhism there is a darker side. Sikhs believe that both good and evil come from God. Though some of them think evil spirits exist they have no sense of an evil being who opposes God. Sikhs are never told to resist the devil, as a Christian is, because they do not believe in him. Evil, they believe, is the result of a person making wrong choices.
 
===MEDITATION===
Sikhs believe that meditation on the Granth draws them closer to God; it
cleanses a person from sin and instills godly qualities in him. They see it as a means of salivation. Christians do not believe that meditation can set anyone free from sin but do value it as way of drawing closer to God, hearing his voice and discerning his will.


===SALVATION WHILE FOLLOWING SIKHISM===
===Nature of man===
Despite all the similarities between Christianity and Sikhism the latter saves humanity by focusing on praying to One God. Sikhs do not have to believe in a good God vs evil. Bible was not written by Jesus Christ himself, then it is questionable to believe in the stories of Bible which were not written by Jesus Christ himself whereas the teachings of Sikhi were written and compiled by the Gurus themselves. Sikhi believes that you can get salvation no matter which path or prophet you choose to follow, however if you are following one particular path over another, then make sure that you are still true to the One God who is the Creator of all, for your everyday life. The tenants of Sikhi are to pray in God's name, work hard in your life and share your gifts from God with those who are less fortunate. That is the only way to salvation. In addition, Sikhi believes in fighting for the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves, Sikhi teaches you to try and attain salvation by taking the path of a Saint Soldier- a saint who prays on God's name and a soldier who fights against injustices towards the less fortunate. Sikhi believes that the Creator is within the Creation, so no one has to worry about heaven or hell. A human being's actions and beliefs are the only things that can bring you closer to God. Salvation for a Sikh is becoming one with the Creator and getting released from the cycle of life and death.
Sikhs deny that humans have a sinful nature. They teach that people are
essentially good; the divine spark within them needs only to be fanned into a flame of goodness. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that men inherit a sinful nature from Adam; a person's guilt must be atoned for. Guru Nanak taught that a man's sins are moral lapses caused by his environment. They may be cleansed through meditation.


===THINGS TO DO===
===Exclusivity of Jesus Christ===
'''EITHER'''<br>
This is the area of greatest disagreement between Sikhs and Christians. In the gospel of John Jesus says things like “I am the way”, “I am the door”, “Nobody comes to the Father except through me”, “Without me you cannot do anything”, “Whoever believes in me will have eternal life”, etc. The rest of the new testament tend to reinforce this need of Jesus as the only way to God. Sikhs reject the uniqueness of a human being as the only way to God. Putting Jesus at the same level with Moses, Mohammed, Buddha and the Gurus is the best they can do, but in reality, Christianity and Jesus are completely absent from the Sikh Scriptures, even though they do mention several other religious figures from different religious traditions. Sikh Scriptures seem to contradict themselves by claiming that the Guru is the only way to God but at the same time assuming that other religions also have access to God.
#If a Sikh friend has any criticisms about Christians, listen to them. If they are the result of misunderstandings try to clear them up. If Christians were unnecessarily hurtful, apologise for them.
#At your next meeting start to talk about beliefs you have in common. Then gently introduce those over which you differ. Be gracious about how you do this. Don't get into an argument.
#Set aside time to pray with your Sikh friend especially bringing to mind
anything you have talked about concerning the differing but still the same One God.


OR
===Salvation===
Salvation for a Sikh is becoming one with the Creator and getting released from the cycle of life and death. The Gurus taught that if deliverance is sought in the proper manner all will eventually receive it. Given enough time and rebirths all will eventually reach that point. So Sikhs believe that there is no such thing as eternal damnation; at the end, no one is lost but is re-united with the divine absolute. There is no personal resurrection. In fact, some knowledgeable Sikhs do not even believe in reincarnation or in life-after-death theories. The human soul is of the same essence as God, comes from God and will eventually be merged back into him. Heaven and hell are not places where individuals live for eternity but refer to different stages of a person's earthly life.
In contrast Christians believe that those who receive Jesus as their Savior and are baptized are adopted into God's family. After their earthly life is over and after undergoing judgment, they may have eternal fellowship with him in heaven. They will not lose their unique personal identity. Similarly, hell is a reality where those who have rejected Jesus will spend eternity. Christianity makes impossible
demands on a man or woman but at the same time provides different ways/explanations for their “salvation”, depending on the denomination.
When facing injustice and oppression, Sikhs are called to fight physically; instead, Christians are called to become martyrs.


#If you do not yet have a Sikh friend get to know someone of that religion in the ways already suggested in this book.
===Hair===
#Work out how you would explain to a Sikh the Christian truth about atonement for sins. Use simple, everyday words rather than religious terms.
Christianity has a long history of going against long hair in men because of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:14: “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him…?”. Since then, there have been several decrees and regulations issued in christian institutions that order men to wear their hair at a short length. Long hair today is used only by a very small percentage of christian men, usually orthodox monks, and are regarded as exceptions to the rule. In the post nicene period, the church also received a lot of influence from the Romans, including the custom of shaved beards, something that was inherited in all western Christianity up until today.
Sikhism, on the other hand, considers growing every hair of the body as one of their tenets, since it is a way to honor God’s creation. Most Sikhs consider cutting one’s hair as forbidden, and this goes for both men and women.
#


==Reference==
==Reference==
* Lions, Princesses and Gurus-Chapter 13, Ram Gidoomal & Margaret Wardell).
* Lions, Princesses and Gurus-Chapter 13, Ram Gidoomal & Margaret Wardell).
* Hair (in christian antiquity). https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07113a.htm
* Sikh view on Christ’s crucifixion https://youtu.be/hbsH6LH9E_g

Latest revision as of 12:19, 9 August 2023

Jesus Christ & Guru Gobind Singh

There are common principles ideas in all religions of the world and this is also true for Sikhism and Christianity

A Christian is someone who lives according to the teachings of Jesus. The word ‘Sikh’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Shishya’ meaning disciple or student of dharma (spirituality) and is someone who follows the teachings of the 10 Sikh Masters,which are all embodied in the 11th and final master, which is the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS), the word.

Similarities

God’s attributes

Sikhs and Christians describe God as being one and omnipresent, however, both of these attributes have important differences as well (for differences read below). Sikhs share other divine attributes with Christians, especially with the first person of the trinity, called “Father”: eternal, uncreated, truthful, omnipresent, loving, universal, self-existent, creator, light, almighty, Father, transcendent, immanent, inmutable, merciful, Lord, giver, without sin.

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit, which is considered divine by most of them, can enter inside a human. Sikhs believe in the presence of the divine soul within.

Humility

When Jesus was about to die, he gave his disciples a humility lesson by washing their feet. The Sikh scripture has many examples of the importance of humility and gentle sweetness. The SGGSJ says, "…Architect of Destiny: please fulfil this yearning of my mind. Says Nanak, Your slave, begs for this happiness: let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints."

Abstinence

The human body is described as the temple of God in The Bible, which says: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?...For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." The Sikh way of life shares this view. In order to respect the body, illicit drugs are forbidden in both Sikhism and Christianity and there are tendencies towards vegetarianism or abstaining from meat and alcohol in both.

Prayer/Meditation

Christians believe that God created humans to have a relationship with him. This is why God created a universe fit for human life, and why God laid down guidelines for how to live our lives. Sikhism describes the relationship with God by saying that the goal of human life is to merge soul (Atma) with God (Paramatma) through love, devotion and service. This latter Sikh view is shared somehow by some eastern orthodox Christians through the concept of Theosis.

Sikhs believe that meditation on the Granth draws them closer to God; it cleanses a person from sin and instills godly qualities in him. They see it as a means of salvation. Christians value meditation, although they prefer prayer as a way of drawing closer to God, hearing his voice and discerning his will.

Charity

Giving to the poor and needy has historically been an important part of both Christianity and Sikhism. They also stress the importance of giving, both at a personal and at a community level. At a personal level, a Sikh is required to give ten percent (Dasvandh) of their income and time to noble causes; very similar to the christian concept of “tithing” common in several churches. At a community level, Sikhism encourages the running of free community services such as the Langar, or free kitchen, which serves meals to everyone. Christians, on the other hand, have built hospitals, food pantries, cemeteries, etc, for charitable purposes.

Differences

Gender roles

The Bible and Christianity in general have been interpreted as prescribing separate gender roles, with women being commanded to submit to male’s authority and excluded from Church leadership. Sikhism promotes complete gender equality. There is no position reserved solely for a male and no prescription of separate gender roles.

Scripture

There are several translations, authors and versions of the Bible. Scholars cannot confirm who were the authors of most of the manuscripts from the Bible and there are several textual variances between the different translations. Also, many contradictions arise between the books that compose the Bible. Proof of this is the enormous amount of Christian denominations (more than 1000), each interpreting differently and having their own preferred Bible version. The Sikh scripture was partially authored by the founders of the faith and it is still in a process of being investigated, translated and canonized, so there have not been significant scandals about it; but there are different interpretations in regards to important topics such as reincarnation or drinking alcohol.

Nature of God

Guru Nanak emphasized the oneness of God and his role as the supreme creator. He presented him as supremely a God of love. Nanak had no place for God’s wrath. Men and women, he said, should not fear God's anger but be afraid of not receiving all the benefits of his love. In contrast to Sikhism the Bible declares that when God holy standards are violated he displays his wrath. Yet his wrath is not incompatible with his mercy and love. It is meant for the ultimate good of mankind.

Most Christians believe in the concept of the Trinity, consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, three persons of a single deity. The trinitarian and christological concepts which are completely foreign to Sikhs, do not seem to have a clear foundation in the christian Bible, and could be confusing and illogical for most people. Panentheism on the other hand is completely foreign to westerners. Sikhism teaches that God is both within the Creation and separate from it at the same time. This idea can be as confusing and illogical to conceive as the Trinity. The SGGSJ says, "You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one. You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses." Some statements seem to mean he is personal, others state that human souls eventually merge back into God, who is an impersonal essence. God is said to be both the creator and the created, the fisherman and the fish, the water and the net.

Though some think evil spirits exist there is no sense of a single evil being (Satan) who opposes God for Sikhs. Evil, is the result of a person making wrong choices.

Nature of man

Sikhs deny that humans have a sinful nature. They teach that people are essentially good; the divine spark within them needs only to be fanned into a flame of goodness. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that men inherit a sinful nature from Adam; a person's guilt must be atoned for. Guru Nanak taught that a man's sins are moral lapses caused by his environment. They may be cleansed through meditation.

Exclusivity of Jesus Christ

This is the area of greatest disagreement between Sikhs and Christians. In the gospel of John Jesus says things like “I am the way”, “I am the door”, “Nobody comes to the Father except through me”, “Without me you cannot do anything”, “Whoever believes in me will have eternal life”, etc. The rest of the new testament tend to reinforce this need of Jesus as the only way to God. Sikhs reject the uniqueness of a human being as the only way to God. Putting Jesus at the same level with Moses, Mohammed, Buddha and the Gurus is the best they can do, but in reality, Christianity and Jesus are completely absent from the Sikh Scriptures, even though they do mention several other religious figures from different religious traditions. Sikh Scriptures seem to contradict themselves by claiming that the Guru is the only way to God but at the same time assuming that other religions also have access to God.

Salvation

Salvation for a Sikh is becoming one with the Creator and getting released from the cycle of life and death. The Gurus taught that if deliverance is sought in the proper manner all will eventually receive it. Given enough time and rebirths all will eventually reach that point. So Sikhs believe that there is no such thing as eternal damnation; at the end, no one is lost but is re-united with the divine absolute. There is no personal resurrection. In fact, some knowledgeable Sikhs do not even believe in reincarnation or in life-after-death theories. The human soul is of the same essence as God, comes from God and will eventually be merged back into him. Heaven and hell are not places where individuals live for eternity but refer to different stages of a person's earthly life. In contrast Christians believe that those who receive Jesus as their Savior and are baptized are adopted into God's family. After their earthly life is over and after undergoing judgment, they may have eternal fellowship with him in heaven. They will not lose their unique personal identity. Similarly, hell is a reality where those who have rejected Jesus will spend eternity. Christianity makes impossible demands on a man or woman but at the same time provides different ways/explanations for their “salvation”, depending on the denomination. When facing injustice and oppression, Sikhs are called to fight physically; instead, Christians are called to become martyrs.

Hair

Christianity has a long history of going against long hair in men because of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:14: “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him…?”. Since then, there have been several decrees and regulations issued in christian institutions that order men to wear their hair at a short length. Long hair today is used only by a very small percentage of christian men, usually orthodox monks, and are regarded as exceptions to the rule. In the post nicene period, the church also received a lot of influence from the Romans, including the custom of shaved beards, something that was inherited in all western Christianity up until today. Sikhism, on the other hand, considers growing every hair of the body as one of their tenets, since it is a way to honor God’s creation. Most Sikhs consider cutting one’s hair as forbidden, and this goes for both men and women.

Reference

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