To me, it doesn’t seem so odd And even in critique it is tolerant, defending the rights of all people to choose other ways, to speak and to write freely, to live their lives according to their own lights. (source), From the Amsterdam Declaration 2002 (International Humanist and Ethical Union) A Sikh should represent moral responsibility and righteousness. Official language. One component of freedom of religion is freedom of conscience. It is not only the thinking person’s outlook but that of the feeling person as well, for it has inspired the arts as much as it has the sciences; philanthropy as much as critique. Their tradition drew heavily on the Vaishnava bhakti (the devotional movement within the Hindu tradition that worships the god Vishnu), though there were important differences between the two. Download this information as a PDF or view our brochure. Some scholars have argued that the Sants were influenced by Islam through their contact with the Mughal rulers of India from the early 16th century, but there is in fact little indication of this, though Sufism (Islamic mysticism) may have had a marginal effect. Sacred Space Places of Worship in Universalizing Religions Christian Churches Muslim Mosques Buddhist Pagodas Baha’i Houses of Worship Sikhism’s Golden Temple of Amritsar What is the purpose of the main religious structure in Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Baha’i, and Sikhism? — Introduction to Sikhism. sandra_cervantes. AP Human Geography. Gravity. Nevertheless, many Western scholars argue that in its earliest stage Sikhism was a movement within the Hindu tradition; Nanak, they point out, was raised a Hindu and eventually belonged to the Sant tradition of northern India, a movement associated with the great poet and mystic Kabir (1440–1518). Few have stated this more clearly and more precisely than Professor Upkar Singh Pardesi of Birmingham, United Kingdom in his statement on “Social Justice from a Sikh Perspective.” Several of the key concepts are included here. “…. (source), From “What Is Humanism?” by Fred Edwords Historians in Eastern religions generally believe that Sikhism is a syncretistic religion, originally related to the Bhakti movement in Hinduism and the Sufi branch of Islam, to which many independent beliefs and practices were added. Like the followers of bhakti, the Sants believed that devotion to God is essential to liberation from the cycle of rebirth in which all human beings are trapped; unlike the followers of bhakti, however, the Sants maintained that God is nirgun (“without form”) and not sagun (“with form”). All Rights Reserved. That many people pray to God — Reject discrimination of all kinds. Whenever they are feeling low — — Sikhism 101: Facts, History, Beliefs, Gurus, Traditions, And Signs Of The Faith Through winning lawsuits, active lobbying, and effective media campaigns, your contribution can go a long way. For additional information and for answers to any questions you might have about the humanist worldview and lifestance, please contact us at: aha@americanhumanist.org. In Sikhism, the Golden Rule is “I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Spell. — Who are Sikhs? — From the Closing: “We will survive and prosper only in a world of shared humane values…. AP Human Geography 2014 Name_____ Key Issue #3 – Why do religions organize space in distinctive patterns? Wherever he traveled, he spoke out against what appeared to him as empty or harmful religious rituals such as idol worship… It s our civil right to accept or reject any religion or religious idea, and to do so openly and honestly without fear or coercion.” – Humanists of Utah, a chapter of the American Humanist Association, “Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. “The basic idea of freedom of religion is that no one, especially the government, is allowed to force religion on anyone else or prohibit anyone from practicing a religion. The responsibility for our lives This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Are you a humanist? — And this priceless statement by Guru Nanak: All human life must seek a reason for existence within the bounds of an uncaring physical world, and it is love coupled with empathy, democracy, and a commitment to selfless service which undergirds the faith of a humanist.”   – Bette Chambers, former president of the American Humanist Association, “We define ourselves as humanists because our moral and ethical frameworks come from thinking things through, rather than any religious belief. A succession of nine Gurus, regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak, led the religion during the period from Guru Nanak’s death in 1539 until 1708. Perhaps you may wish to identify yourself as both a humanist and a Sikh. The text remains the holy scripture of the Sikhs, regarded as the teachings of the Ten Gurus. :] Home; 5 Themes of Geography. To take responsibility. At the present juncture of history, commitment to all humankind is the highest commitment The Sikhs call their faith Gurmat (Punjabi: “the Way of the Guru”). Author of. — Treat all races and classes equally. Upon the death of the 10th, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), the spirit of the eternal Guru transferred itself to the sacred scripture of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib (“The Granth as the Guru”), also known as the Adi Granth (“First Volume”), which thereafter was regarded as the sole Guru. We recommend the book Humanism As the Next Step by Lloyd and Mary Morain (the Humanist Press, Washington, DC, new revised edition 2008) as your next reading since it presents a concise overview of the history and principles of modern humanism. — Promote a life of peace, equality and positive actions. Sikh in Punjabi means “learner,” and those who joined the Sikh community, or Panth (“Path”), were people who sought spiritual guidance. Sikhs are respected by white, black, and Asian people of different backgrounds and religions. Premium Membership is now 50% off! By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Pilgrimage: There are many places to go on pilgrimage, for example to the Golden Temple, Hemkund Sahib, Damdama Sahib, or Anandpur Sahib. Free practice questions for AP Human Geography - Religion. The institution of the Khalsa was created as vanguard and supporter of humanistic concerns of an individual. They also may be available at university or public libraries. It is a source of inspiration for those who seek social justice, the equality of all people, the empowerment of women and of the under privileged. The Gurus preached these principles of religious tolerance and brotherhood of humanity five hundred years ago.”, A Central Principle of Sikhism: Social Justice.