1. Not Eating Meat
The Bible prohibits eating meat. The following quotes from the Bible clearly prohibit many types of meat for Christians:
Genesis 1:29 “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
Leviticus 11:4 “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.”
Leviticus 11:10 “And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.”
Leviticus 11:27 “And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.”
Leviticus 11:28–30 “And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean to you. These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind, and the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
Although debated in the Sikh religion, most Sikhs agree that eating meat is not allowed and is in fact one of the Four Cardinal Sins, which if committed makes one an apostate, and no longer a Sikh.
2.Not drinking alcohol
Leviticus 10:9 “Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations:”
Drinking alcohol and using any drugs is strictly forbidden in the Sikh Religion:
ਸੁਰਸਰੀ ਸਲਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਰੁਨੀ ਰੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨ ਕਰਤ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਨੰ ॥
Even if wine is made from the water of the Ganges, O Saints, do not drink it.
-SGGS Ang 1293
ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥
ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥233॥
Kabeer, those mortals who consume marijuana, fish and wine
- no matter what pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they follow, they will all go to hell. ||233|
-SGGS Ang 1377
ਜੂਆ ਖੇਲੈ ਮਦ ਪੀਵੈ ਸੋ ਨਰਕ ਮੇਂ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
Those who gamble or drink alcohol will suffer in hell.
-Rehatnama Bhai Daya Singh Jee
3. Keeping your hair uncut
The following quote from the bible prohibits the cutting of hair and beards. Early Christians were told to keep their Kes just like Sikhs. For the Sikhs it is a Cardinal Sin to remove any hair from the body. Doing so one becomes an apostate, and must be re-initiated into the faith.
Leviticus 19:27 “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads.”
Leviticus 19:27 “Neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.”
4. Keeping your head covered
This quote from the Bible orders Christians to keep heads covered. According to maryada, all Gursikhs are to keep their Kes, and head, covered at all times with a Dastar.
Leviticus 10:6 “Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people.”
For Sikhs:
ਨਗਨ ਹੋਇ ਬਾਹਰ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਨਗਨ ਸੀਸ ਜੋ ਖਾਇ ਨਗਨ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਜੋ ਬਾਂਟਈ ਤਨਖਾਹੀ ਬਡੋ ਕਹਾਇ ॥24॥
Those who walk outside, eat or distribute food without their head covered will be punished severely.
-Thankhaanama Bhai Nand Laal Jee
5. Tattoos
The Bible prohibits making any markings on bodies. So tattoos are not allowed. Sikhs are also prohibited from making any changes to what God has given us. Whatever Akaal Purakh does is perfect.
ਦਾਗ ਦੋਸ ਮੁਹਿ ਚਲਿਆ ਲਾਇ ॥
One who departs with the marks of black stains blemishing the face,
ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਾਇ ॥੩॥
In the Lord’s Court, he shall find no place to sit.
-SGGS Ang 662
ਪੂਰੇ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਘਟਿ ਵਧਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
All that the Perfect Lord does is perfect; there is not too little, or too much.
-SGGS Ang 1412
Leviticus 19:28 “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”
6. Early Jews had the Seven Laws of Noah also known as the Noahide Laws.
They are:
The prohibition of Idolatry.
The prohibition of Murder.
The prohibition of Theft.
The prohibition of Sexual immorality.
The prohibition of Blasphemy.
The prohibition of eating flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive.
The requirement of maintaining courts to provide legal recourse.
For Sikhs these rules apply as well. The Sikh faith is very much against the concept of worshiping idols. The Gurus criticized Hindus for worshiping stone idols:
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੂਲੇ ਭੂਲੇ ਅਖੁਟੀ ਜਾਂਹੀ ॥
ਨਾਰਦਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਿ ਪੂਜ ਕਰਾਂਹੀ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਗੁੰਗੇ ਅੰਧ ਅੰਧਾਰੁ ॥
ਪਾਥਰੁ ਲੇ ਪੂਜਹਿ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥
ਓਹਿ ਜਾ ਆਪਿ ਡੁਬੇ ਤੁਮ ਕਹਾ ਤਰਣਹਾਰੁ ॥2॥
The Hindus have forgotten the Primal Lord; they are going the wrong way.
As Naarad instructed them, they are worshiping idols. They are blind and mute, the blindest of the blind.
The ignorant fools pick up stones and worship them.
But when those stones themselves sink, who will carry you across? ||2||
-SGGS Ang 556
Sikhs do not murder or steal. If need be they are ready to defend themselves, and others, and that is why all Sikhs are armed, however they do not kill for personal, or selfish reasons, and/or harm the innocent. Sikhs believe that the foundation of any faith, or spirituality, is compassion, so one who is cruel, and who has no compassion, has no room for faith, or spirituality. Harming others is forbidden, all are seen as the children of God, and have the light of God within them.
ਬਿਪਰੀਤ ਬੁਧ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ਮਾਰਤ ਲੋਕਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਦੁਖ ਭੋਗਤੇ ॥੨੪
Those cruel-minded rulers who oppress the people, O Nanak, shall suffer in pain for a very long time. (24)
- SGGS Ang 1356
A Sikh may only have sexual relations with his, or her, wife, or husband. Any sexual relationship outside of marriage (including before marriage) is considered a Cardinal Sin, and makes one an apostate.
ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥
Painful diseases afflict those who are sexually promiscuous.
-SGGS Ang 1189
ਨਿਜ ਨਾਰੀ ਕੇ ਸੰਗ ਨੇਹ ਤੁਮ ਨਿੱਤ ਬਢੈਯਹੁ ॥ਪਰਨਾਰੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਜ ਭੂਲਿ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਹੂੰ ਨ ਜੈਯਹੁ ॥੫੧॥
Love and care for your wife daily, but never even in your dreams go into the bed of another woman.
-Charitropaakhian, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib
ਅਧਿਕ ਹਰੀਫੀ ਜਾਨਿ ਭੋਗ ਪਰਤ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਜੂ ਕਰਹੀ ॥ਹੋ ਅੰਤ ਸ੍ਵਾਨ ਕੀ ਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹਾਥ ਲੇਂਡੀ ਕੇ ਮਰਹੀ ॥53॥
Those that have sexual relations with someone other than their spouse, they die the death of a dog.
-Charitropaakhian, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib
Sikhs are taught not to doubt what their Guru, and God, does. Whatever Guru Sahib does is perfect, and should not be doubted:
ਪੂਰੇ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਘਟਿ ਵਧਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
All that the Perfect Lord does is perfect; there is not too little, or too much.
-SGGS Ang 1412
Eating meat is forbidden in the Sikh faith. This has been covered earlier in this article.
The Sikh faith believes in fully in Justice. As well as equality to all before the law. The Gurus throughout their lives fought against injustice, and provided justice to all those that required it. No matter what religion, race or gender. A great example of this is Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Guru who gave up his life to protect the Hindu religion that was being persecuted by the Muslim Empire.
ਤਿਲਕ ਜੰਵੂ ਰਾਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤਾ ਕਾ ॥ ਕੀਨੋ ਬਡੋ ਕਲੂ ਮਹਿ ਸਾਕਾ ॥॥
ਸਾਧੁਨ ਹੇਤਿ ਇਤੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਕਰੀ ॥ ਸੀਸੁ ਦੀਆ ਪਰ ਸੀ ਨ ਉਚਰੀ ॥13॥
The Master (Guru Tegh Bahadur) saved the religious symbols-the frontal mark, and the sacred thread of Kashmiri Brahmans, and Hindus. He performed an epoch-making exploit in the Iron age.
In order to save the pious people, he went far beyond the limit of sacrifice. He gave away his head but did not utter a whisper of a groan. (13)1. Not Eating Meat:
The Bible prohibits eating meat. The following quotes from the Bible clearly prohibit many types of meat for Christians:
Leviticus 11:4 “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.”
Leviticus 11:10 “And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.”
Leviticus 11:27 “And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.”
Leviticus 11:28–29 “These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind, and the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
Although debated in the Sikh religion, most Sikhs agree that eating meat is not allowed and is in fact one of the Four Cardinal Sins, which if committed makes one an apostate and no longer a Sikh.
2.Not drinking alcohol:
Leviticus 10:9 “Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die.”
Drinking alcohol and using any drugs is strcitly forbidded in the Sikh Religion:
ਸੁਰਸਰੀ ਸਲਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਰੁਨੀ ਰੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨ ਕਰਤ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਨੰ ॥
Even if wine is made from the water of the Ganges, O Saints, do not drink it.
-SGGS Ang 1293
ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥
ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥233॥
Kabeer, those mortals who consume marijuana, fish and wine
- no matter what pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they follow, they will all go to hell. ||233|
-SGGS Ang 1377
ਜੂਆ ਖੇਲੈ ਮਦ ਪੀਵੈ ਸੋ ਨਰਕ ਮੇਂ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
Those who gamble or drink alcohol will suffer in hell.
-Rehatnama Bhai Daya Singh Jee
3. Keeping your hair uncut:
The following quote from the bible prohibits the cutting of hair and beards. Early Christians were told to keep their Kes just like Sikhs. For the Sikhs it is a Cardinal Sin to remove any hair from the body. Doing so one becomes an apostate and must be re-initiated into the faith.
Leviticus 19:27 “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads.”
Leviticus 19:27 “Neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.”
4. Keeping your head covered:
This quote from the Bible orders Christians to keep heads covered. All Gursikhs are to keep their Kes and head covered at all times with a Dastar.
Leviticus 10:6 “Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people.”
For Sikhs:
ਨਗਨ ਹੋਇ ਬਾਹਰ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਨਗਨ ਸੀਸ ਜੋ ਖਾਇ ਨਗਨ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਜੋ ਬਾਂਟਈ ਤਨਖਾਹੀ ਬਡੋ ਕਹਾਇ ॥24॥
Those who walk outside, eat or distribute food without their head covered will be punished severely.
-Thankhaanama Bhai Nand Laal Jee
5. Tattoos:
The Bible prohibits making any markings on bodies. So tattoos are not allowed. Sikhs are also prohibited from making any changes to what God has given us. Whatever Akaal Purakh does is perfect.
ਪੂਰੇ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਘਟਿ ਵਧਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
All that the Perfect Lord does is perfect; there is not too little, or too much.
-SGGS Ang 1412
Leviticus 19:28 “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”
6. Early Jews had the Seven Laws of Noah also known as the Noahide Laws. They are:
The prohibition of Idolatry.
The prohibition of Murder.
The prohibition of Theft.
The prohibition of Sexual immorality.
The prohibition of Blasphemy.
The prohibition of eating flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive.
The requirement of maintaining courts to provide legal recourse.
For Sikhs these rules apply as well. The Sikh faith is very much against the concept of worshiping idols. The Gurus criticized Hindus for worshiping stone idols:
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੂਲੇ ਭੂਲੇ ਅਖੁਟੀ ਜਾਂਹੀ ॥
ਨਾਰਦਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਿ ਪੂਜ ਕਰਾਂਹੀ ॥ ਅੰਧੇ ਗੁੰਗੇ ਅੰਧ ਅੰਧਾਰੁ ॥
ਪਾਥਰੁ ਲੇ ਪੂਜਹਿ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥
ਓਹਿ ਜਾ ਆਪਿ ਡੁਬੇ ਤੁਮ ਕਹਾ ਤਰਣਹਾਰੁ ॥2॥
The Hindus have forgotten the Primal Lord; they are going the wrong way.
As Naarad instructed them, they are worshipping idols. They are blind and mute, the blindest of the blind.
The ignorant fools pick up stones and worship them.
But when those stones themselves sink, who will carry you across? ||2||
-SGGS Ang 556
Sikhs do not murder or steal. If need be they are ready to defend themselves and others and that is why all Sikhs are armed however they do not kill for personal or selfish reasons and/or harm the innocent. Sikhs believe that the foundation of any faith or spirituality is compassion so one who is cruel and has no compassion has no room for faith or spirituality. Harming others is forbidden, all are seen as the children of God and have the light of God within them.
ਬਿਪਰੀਤ ਬੁਧ੍ਯ੍ਯੰ ਮਾਰਤ ਲੋਕਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਦੁਖ ਭੋਗਤੇ ॥੨੪
Those cruel-minded rulers who oppress the people, O Nanak, shall suffer in pain for a very long time. (24)
- SGGS Ang 1356
A Sikh may only have sexual relations with his or her wife or husband. Any sexual relationship outside of marriage (including before marriage) is considered a Cardinal Sin, and makes one an apostate.
ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥
Painful diseases afflict those who are sexually promiscuous.
-SGGS Ang 1189