Talk:Sikhism and Circumcision
SELF-ACCEPTANCE (kesh, tattoos, body piercings...) Self-acceptance is an integral part of the Sikh faith. Guru Gobind Singh, when confronted with spineless men and women of Indian society...people who blindly followed and bowed before manmade laws, no matter how degrading...introduced the Kesh-Kangha privilege: Kesh (or unshorn hair) as a symbol of acceptance of the Creator's given form, and Kangha (or comb) to take care of the Kesh...to keep it healthy and clean.
In most cultures body modifications such as haircuts (many jobs are off-limits for men with kesh), circumcision, tattoos, etc., are demanded to ensure conformity and order in some instances and religions. So much so that in the 1960s when the Hippie Movement started in America, some men grew their hair long and kept their beards, some just because they liked being different and some even considered it as a symbol of change. However, the Sikh concepts of kesh-kangha ...it is a sign of acceptance of the Creator's gift and a nurturing of that gift which Guru Gobind Singh initiated with the 5 K's so that Sikhs might stand out in a crowd for the purpose of bringing about a change in India to the thinking of the people who blindly followed and bowed before manmade laws, no matter how degrading. The Hippies in America were seeking a similar end to the thinking of people who blindly followed and bowed before manmade laws, no matter how degrading in the 20th century.
Q: Why does Sikhism reject haircuts, circumcision and other similar rituals that a large fraction of the world's population practices? Do Sikhs consider these people sinners or bad people?
A large part of the world's population does shave their faces and trim their hair, circumcise their male and even female children, have their body pierced, etc. In this sense, Sikhs are in the minority. However, for a Sikh, acceptance of Nature's beautiful body is an important component of the Sikh value system. Acceptance of one's God-given physique without "improving" it by razors and scissors is a first step in accepting other laws, the foremost of which is becoming a universal being. Sikhs view others who engage in such rituals as people who carry unnecessary burdens in their lives; not as sinners or bad people. And western cultures often take a similar view feeling that men with more than a trimmed beard and untrimmed hair are carrying an unnecessary burden in their lives.
Q: What does the Guru Granth Sahib say about body modifications such as haircuts, circumcision, tattoos, body piercings, etc.?
It is common for religion texts to provide very detailed outlines of do's and don'ts. The Bible (old and new Testaments to a minor extent) and the Koran provide very detailed guidelines to their flock on daily living. The Guru Granth Sahib refrains from doing this. The Guru only provides us basic Universal principles (One God, Truth brings bliss, oneness of the human race, etc.) and the path to reach Truth (by minimizing ego and seeing oneself in everyone). In the Sikh "rahitnama" or code of conduct, kesh is to be accepted as the Creator's gift and taken care of with a kangha (comb).
Acceptance of the Creator's given body is a natural outcome of a lifestyle that is in conformity with the Guru's teaching. Of course, this does not preclude the use of surgery or other medical interventions when the body has become ill.
Q: I am a twelve year old boy. When I go to the gym locker room I see that most of the other boys are circumcised. I feel so different because I am not circumcised and I keep my hair long. How should I get over these feelings of being different?
Jews made a covenant with their God--to be circumsized. The Rasul maintained this Jewish ritual so Jewish and Muslim babies are circumcised as a matter of their parent's' beliefs. Circumcism to the extent that it is practised in America was a result of many doctors believing that the practice prevented many deseases, even cancer. Through the 1950s most males went uncircumcised. Today the practice is becoming rare save for medical or religious reasons. It is expected that in another generation very few American boys will be circumcised (in European countries, this practice is rare).
In a way, the idea of self-acceptance is spreading and more people are looking at male circumcision as a barbaric practice. Respected child psychologists and the American Association of Pediatrics are raising their concern against this practice. Even some Jewish groups are arguing for the discontinuation of the practice of circumcision.
So don't worry about your differences as boys are all trying not to pay much attention to each others 'private parts' in the locker room while nude as that is a sure way to get tagged as a deviate.
Q: If a person gets circumcised for medical reasons, will he no longer be a Sikh?
Gurbani informs us that the body is a temple of the Lord "Within the body, the Divine Lord is embodied. The body is the temple, the place of pilgrimage, and the pilgrim. Within the body are incense, lamps and offerings. Within the body are the flower offerings. ||1||" and also: "The One who pervades the Universe also dwells in the body; whoever seeks Him, finds Him there." (SGGS page 695)
So to care and look after the body is a must and a compulsory duty of a Sikh. So if one has to have any medical treatment for the proper maintenance of the body, then this appears to be acceptable as far as Gurbani is concerned. Medical treatment of any kind for a Sikh is generally accepted as part of life and this cannot be considered a violation of Sikh code or rehat.
However one needs to be certain that the reason is a medical one and not disguised as such. So there is no simple answer to this question as personal motivation has to be considered. I am sure that there are many Sikhs who in wars as have people of other religions who had their reproductive organs blown off or injured. Does such an involuntary 'circumcism' or worse ever excluded them from any religion?
Unfortunately like the vocal shiboleths of many wars, the forced lifting of a male's garments since the Partition, (doubtless earlier and later?) has lead to the deaths of many Muslims and Hindus (even Jews caught on a wrong bus, ect.) over the years in India. Sikhs would have avoided having to do this as their 5 K's left little doubt who they were.
What is that you are talking about lifting of males Garments? What is it? I also believe your body is the thing that you should be taking care of. Sikhs should not take anything literally, since Guru Nanak Dev ji were themselves against the wrong beliefs and traditions. I think there is no right and wrong. Sikh should do good deeds and live a good life. For example if a guy or girl with piercings and tatoos, does good things and raise the dignity of sikhism in the world is better than who formally is a sikh but arogant and have no real values who thinks just reading guru granth sahib will do some magic to him/her. You know what i mean. I have seen many sikhs reading gutkhas or arranging "paths" in gurudwaras, thinking that it will do some magic. I think what Guru Granth Sahib is, is like a Guru. Where if we have any questions in life, it has the answers.I very much believe sikhism is the religion of freedom.
