#teacher ? Here are appropriate responses to situations with your Jehovah's Witness student: http://t.co/A6UfqcgH #religion
#Teachers: Want to know why your Jehovah's Witness student won't say the pledge and how to respond? http://t.co/EIdlgDwW #religion
3 common questions teachers ask about their Jehovah's Witness students: http://t.co/kPTygb8r #teacher #religion
3 common questions teachers ask about their Jehovah's Witness students: http://t.co/0y3R4WZV #teacher #religion
Hey @BlackArtistNews check out this sculptor, this will blow your mind. My mind seriously can't take this in. http://t.co/I4VgB8ni
What do #religion reporters have to say about balance in religion #journalism? Watch the video from last night's panel: http://t.co/jutu8oJ9
Hear @TribSeeker and @ReligionNewsNow speak about striking a balance between fact and faith in #religion reporting: http://t.co/jutu8oJ9
Hear @TribSeeker and @ReligionNewsNow speak about striking a balance between fact and faith in #religion reporting: http://t.co/xYZb5SfR
New video at http://t.co/d5X0uCv6 from last night's event on religion reporting: http://t.co/6XnSFQKZ
If you missed tweets from last night's #religion reporting event on Mormons, Obama, and anti-muslim sentiment, view them at @religionblogger
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Sikhism
Ever wondered why Sikhs carry small swords?
Ever mistaken a Sikh for a Muslim?
Want to know why Sikhs traditionally do not cut their hair?
RT writer Jackie Walker Gibson recently wrote a post for Teaching Tolerance (a mag and website for teachers) describing certain Sikh traditions that could lead to discrimination in schools. The post is intended to educate teachers on Sikhism so that they can demonstrate understanding in the classroom.
Check out the full post at TeachingTolerance.org.
Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2011
Today, Sikhs are celebrating Guru Purab, the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji – founder of the Sikh religion.
Who was Guru Nanak?
Guru Nanak was born near Lahore in modern-day Pakistan in 1469. He received a vision to preach about God; as a result, he taught that there is only one God and one unified humanity. The roots of some of his ideas can be traced to both Hinduism and Islam.
Learn more about Guru Nanak on the BBC Religion site.
How are Sikhs celebrating?
Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday today, if you’re going by the lunar calendar. The celebration is one of the gurpurbs, or festivals associated with the life of the Sikh gurus.
Two days ago, Sikhs began a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture, which was to be finished by the start of the festival. Today, Sikhs take the scripture out in a procession, decorating the guru. The gurdwaras, or places where Sikhs gather, are also decorated for Guru Nanak’s birthday. Sikhs may also eat special holy food (called prasad) today and light lamps.
Check out this video from Sify about Guru Purab.
Learn more about Sikhism on ReligionTranscends.com.
Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2009
The United States Army recently decided to allow a Sikh captain/physician to wear Sikh articles of dress while on active duty.
Capt. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi will enter active duty in the Summer 2010. Thanks to his individual appeal, he will be allowed to continue wearing his dastaar and kesh while on active duty.
Kesh what?
Baptized Sikhs are required to keep five articles of faith at all times. These are:
- Uncut hair (considered a part of the body, can be covered with a turban)
- A comb (which must be used at least twice a day)
- A bracelet (a reminder of vows)
- A sword (for self-protection only)
- Under shorts (a reminder of self-restraint)
Uncut hair is called kesh and dastaar is the turban used to protect it. These symbols show one’s devotion to the Sikh religion. Religious garments have deep meaning; asking someone to remove a garment could make them feel as though they are denying their religion.
Learn more about challenges to the turban and other head coverings on ReligionTranscends.com.
What’s the point?
The Army decision goes against the 1986 Army ban on “conspicuous” religious articles of faith. Sikhs will likely continue to ask for permanent change to the ban.
The decision seems to imply that the Army is beginning to accept and understand Sikh culture. Religion Transcends encourages US institutions to continue to be open to the traditions of the world’s religions, allowing rather than banning balanced religious symbolism.
Want more Sikh news? Watch Religion Transcends for a Sikh holiday backgrounder next week.
Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2009
In 2008, four Sikh students in Chandigarh, India, applied to medical school as Sikhs. They were denied admission because they had cut their hair; the college claimed that by cutting their hair, the students were no longer Sikhs.
In response, the students sent a petition to the high courts in India.
Many young Sikhs are cutting their hair, according to the Washington Post. In fact, the number may be as many as 75%. But for traditional Sikhs, long hair wrapped up in a turban means you are Sikh. It is a visible sign of religious affiliation and belief.
In most religions, removing headgear does not remove one’s status as a follower of that religion — unless of course one removes the headgear because they no longer follow that religion. But this could all change for Sikhs depending on how the courts respond. Their decision could mean that if a Sikh cuts his hair, he is no longer Sikh.
Other types of religious headgear
Sikhism isn’t the only religion to include mandates on headgear. Here are a few examples of others:
-Buddhist monks typically shave their heads as the Buddha did, as a sign of ascetic life.
-Some Muslim women choose (or are subjected, depending on whom you ask and what country you’re in) to wear the hijab, a head covering intended as a display of modesty
-Some Jewish men wear yarmulkes, also known as kippahs or skull caps, as a sign of humility and a reminder of their relationships with God. Jews are not required to wear the skull cap at all times, and most do not. Many choose to wear the skull cap in public as a sign of religiosity, during holidays, or while visiting Israel.
-The habit is the traditional uniform of Catholic nuns, which includes a veil. Most nuns are no longer required to wear the habit, but many still choose to wear the veil and uniform. Learn more about the reasons for the habit on A Nun’s Life. Learn about other Catholic headgear in this Wiki article.
What do you think? Is hair and headgear just that? Or is it a sign of something more? Do you wear religious headgear or wear your hair a certain way to reflect your beliefs?