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Unlock This CourseIn The Multi-Faith Society and Interfaith Relationships you learned what a multi-faith society is, and the meaning of tolerance, proselytisation, exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. Now we look at what Sikhs teach about other religions, and what Sikhs do about it.
Sikhs believe in one God for all people. That belief shapes how Sikhs see people of other faiths. Three teachings matter most.
Sikh tradition says that Guru Nanak, the first Guru and founder of Sikhism, spoke the words "there is no Hindu, there is no Muslim". Sikhs understand this to mean that before God, people are not divided by the labels they carry.
Sikhs believe that God can be reached by different paths, as long as they are lived truthfully, with honesty, humility and service. What counts is how a person lives, not only the name of their religion.
The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, includes hymns by holy men from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds, such as Farid, a Muslim Sufi saint (a Sufi is a Muslim mystic), and Ravidas, from the Hindu bhakti tradition (devotion to God). They are treated with the same respect as the hymns of the Gurus.
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These teachings help to build a multi-faith society, because they give Sikhs a religious reason to respect their neighbours instead of looking down on them. Sikh tradition gives an example from the very building of the Harmandir Sahib. By tradition, its foundation stone was laid by Mian Mir, a Muslim saint. Sikhs often use this story to show that people of different faiths can honour God side by side.
Remember sarbat da bhala from Sikhism and Racial Harmony: the Sikh wish for the welfare of all people.
Here is where Sikhs stand on the four ideas from the earlier lesson.
So Sikhs are not all the same on this topic. The common ground is that Sikhs value their own path but do not condemn others or push them to change.
The langar, the free meal in the gurdwara, is open to everyone, whatever their religion. Gurdwaras welcome visitors of all faiths and none, who sit on the floor and eat the same food as everyone else. Many gurdwaras also welcome visitors who want to learn about Sikh worship, so neighbours can see it for themselves.
Sikhs take part as members of local interfaith forums and national interfaith groups. There they meet people of other faiths, share ideas, and work together on community matters such as helping people in need.
These activities help in the same way. They allow people of different faiths to meet, learn about one another and replace fear or false ideas with understanding. For Sikhs, they also put sewa (selfless service) into action.
Some Sikhs say the Sikh path is the fullest way to know God, and worry that joining in too much with other faiths could weaken Sikh identity. Others say the Gurus' own example shows that Sikhs should be open. Many Sikhs reply that taking part in interfaith work does not mean giving up Sikh beliefs. A Sikh can be firm in their own faith and still respect others.
Non-religious people, such as Humanists, agree with Sikhs on respect and fair treatment for all, but they do not share the belief in one God behind it.
Paper 1 (a) [3 marks, AO1]: Identify three Sikh teachings or practices that support good relationships with people of other faiths.
1. Welcoming people of all faiths to eat in the langar (1). 2. Including hymns by Hindu and Muslim holy men in the Guru Granth Sahib (1). 3. Taking part in local interfaith groups (1).
Paper 1 (b) [4 marks, AO1]: Choose one religion. Outline two teachings in this religion that help to promote a multi-faith society.
Sikhs believe that God can be reached by different paths (1), which means Sikhs should respect people of other faiths (1). Sikhs do not seek converts (1), so people of other faiths are not pressured to change their religion (1).
Paper 1 (c) [6 marks, AO1 and AO2]: Choose one religion. Explain why there are different attitudes to other religions in this religion.
Most Sikhs reject exclusivism, because the Gurus taught that there is one God for all people, and Guru Nanak is said to have taught that there is no Hindu and no Muslim. This leads many Sikhs to a pluralist view, that different religions are paths to the same God. Other Sikhs are inclusivist. They believe the Gurus' teaching shows the clearest way to God, but they accept that people of other faiths can find God too. Some Sikhs worry that joining in too much could weaken Sikh identity, while others point to the Guru Granth Sahib, which includes hymns by Hindu and Muslim holy men, as a sign that Sikhs should be open. So attitudes differ because Sikhs read the same teachings in different ways, but nearly all agree that Sikhs should not force their faith on anyone.
Paper 1 (d) [12 marks, AO1 and AO2]: "Sikhs should take part in interfaith activities as much as possible."
Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
For: Sikhs believe God can be reached by different paths, so respect for other faiths is part of the faith; the langar and interfaith groups build understanding and put sewa into action; Sikhs do not seek converts, so joining in is not a threat.
Against: some Sikhs worry that joining in too much could weaken Sikh identity; time and effort may be better spent on the Sikh community itself; some inclusivist Sikhs see the Gurus' teaching as the clearest path and prefer to focus on it.
Possible conclusion: Most Sikhs would support taking part, because it fits the teaching of one God for all, but how much is a matter of choice, so the statement is partly right, as long as Sikh beliefs are kept.
When a question asks about attitudes to other religions, name the term (exclusivism, inclusivism or pluralism) and link it to a Sikh teaching, such as one God or the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib.