Sikhs are people who practice a religion that originated in India around the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539) and has its scripture in the form of the Guru Granth Sahib. This holy book contains all the teachings of ten gurus. It is based on the principle of equality for all human beings and promotes compassion, generosity, humility, and truthfulness. As Sikhism is a minority religion in most parts of the world, there are certain dilemmas faced by Sikh adherents regarding abortion, sexuality, and the negotiation of personal and religious ethical principles. These dilemmas can affect their lives significantly, causing emotional distress, social isolation, and legal consequences.
Abortion
One of the major dilemmas faced by Sikh adherents is that of abortion. The Sikh tradition does not explicitly mention anything about this issue, but it is widely believed that life begins at conception. Therefore, taking life after conception is considered sinful.
If an unborn child is likely to cause harm to the mother's health or life, or would suffer from serious defects, then termination may be allowed under special circumstances.
If the fetus is expected to have Down syndrome, spina bifida, or other congenital disorders, parents may consider terminating the pregnancy. In such cases, the decision must be made with great care and prayer.
Sexuality
Another dilemma faced by Sikhs is related to sexuality. While the religion encourages marriage as a sacred union between two people, it also discourages extramarital sex and promiscuity. Adultery is forbidden, and homosexual relationships are frowned upon. Premarital sex is not acceptable, and so is polygamy. Women are equal partners in the spiritual community and should have autonomy over their bodies and reproductive rights. There is no gender discrimination or preference for male children.
There are some issues where personal values and religious beliefs conflict.
Contraception is seen as interfering with God's will and a violation of natural laws. Many Sikh families believe that women should only engage in missionary position during sex, which can make it difficult to prevent pregnancy.
Many Sikhs do not practice birth control, so unexpected pregnancies can occur. This can lead to difficult decisions about whether to keep the baby or not.
Negotiation of Personal and Religious Ethical Principles
The negotiation of personal and religious ethical principles can be challenging for Sikh adherents. The Guru Granth Sahib provides guidelines on how to live a righteous life, but these cannot always be applied directly to modern situations.
While the scripture advises against killing animals for food, it does not specify if this applies to meat from halal slaughterhouses. Similarly, the use of alcohol is prohibited, but what about medical marijuana? These dilemmas require careful consideration and consultation with gurus or other experts.
Sikhism places great emphasis on living an ethical life based on compassion, generosity, humility, and truthfulness.
There are certain dilemmas faced by Sikh adherents regarding abortion, sexuality, and the negotiation of personal and religious ethical principles. These can affect their lives significantly, causing emotional distress, social isolation, and legal consequences. While Sikhs must follow the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, they also have to navigate complex moral questions in modern society.
What dilemmas do Sikh adherents face regarding abortion, sexuality, and the negotiation of personal and religious ethical principles?
The followers of the Sikh religion are faced with challenges concerning their beliefs about abortion, sexuality, and the negotiation of personal and religious ethics. This paper will explore these issues and discuss how they can be addressed from a more universal perspective that is applicable to all cultures and faith traditions.