Can Sikhs Marry Non-Sikhs?

[MyNameIsChris]

Hey guys,

pretty straightforward question. Are Sikhs allowed to marry non-Sikhs without making them convert? I've done a Google search but pretty much every story has the non-Sikh converting to Sikhism. Since Sikhism respects and acknowledges all other religions, I'd imagine that it is possible without conversion.

[singhbj]

Chris please try to understand the logic.

For example two people are travelling in a boat or let's say a car.

They must decide before the journey as to where they want to go.

It is not possible to travel in two directions in the same vehicle at the same time.

As per the old proverb "Travelling in two boats will result in a fall"

Therefore it is not advisable to marry someone who has different set of beliefs.

It will not work in the Long Run.

[MyNameIsChris]

Although I understand your logic, you've failed to answer my question. You said it will fail in the long run because the two people will be travelling in different directions (based on religious belief) in the same boat/car. You then go on to say it is "not advisable". I don't care if it's advisable or not. I just want to know whether two people, one Sikh and one non-Sikh, can go into a Gurdwara, sit in front of The Guru Granth Sahib and get married. My direction in life has nothing to do with religion. I'm very left wing. Religion is not the most important thing in life. If two people love each other, are willing to compromise and expose any future children to both cultures, then it will work out. In today's day and age, religion is becoming more and more obsolete in people's lives. It shall play absolutely no part in my future relationships.

[Romesh Kumar]

.

Chris please try to understand the logic.

For example two people are travelling in a boat or let's say a car.

They must decide before the journey as to where they want to go.

It is not possible to travel in two directions in the same vehicle at the same time.

As per the old proverb "Travelling in two boats will result in a fall"

Therefore it is not advisable to marry someone who has different set of beliefs.

It will not work in the Long Run.

singhbj Ji,
When two people with mutual consent plan or think of ridind a boat or car, they know where they are going to.
If they are strangers then they will disembark one after another and proceed to their respective places.
If two strangers become friends during the journey then that is the begining of another or even rest of the journey together.
Two persons can travel in two different boats since they have nothing to do with each other. In given situation no one is travelling in two boats since they have already become one.
When it happens, it works as good as traditional and customery ones.

I just want to know whether two people, one Sikh and one non-Sikh, can go into a Gurdwara, sit in front of The Guru Granth Sahib and get married.

MyNameIsChris Ji,
Answer to your question is No.

SSA

[singhbj]

Chris as an individual, one is free to do whatever one likes, Nobody Cares !

But when you talk about religion, in order to be a part of community one must demonstrate Religious Etiquette.

Whether you choose to follow or not, will have no impact on the prescribed Sikh Code of Conduct.

Do's and Don'ts remain the same.

Frankly why would a Sikh (in word & deed) and not a Namesake, marry you ?

Think about it !

[MyNameIsChris]

@Romesh Kumar, thank you. I agree with everything you said ;) Two people who love each other and are willing to compromise aren't going to get in the same car and argue about where they want to go.

@SinghBJ: People need to stop thinking religion is the most important thing in life. It isn't even in my top 5. Religion is a personal matter and needs to be treated as such. Just because someone believes something different, does not make them inferior in any way. If being a Sikh means being stuck up, thinking our way is the only right way (which is contradictory to what Sikhism teaches, but there are certain people who still think that way), and not being able to compromise, then the better question is why I would want to marry a Sikh.

[singhbj]

Chris i think you forgot !

This is Sikhnet forum, a place to discuss, learn and advice according to the tenets of Sikhism.

Most of us are here on the forum because of one thing in COMMON ; Sikhism.

And who said anything about being inferior, key word is Different.

Kindly see the links below for Enlightenment

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Manmat

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmat

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Manmukh

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh

[kjsinghhyd]

If someone puts their religion before themselves, they will not approve of it!

[MyNameIsChris]

@kjsinghhyd:

Put your religion before yourself? I certainly never have nor will I ever do so. I believe in living a life you're proud of, regardless of whether or not that life is compatible with a certain religion or not.

[kjsinghhyd]

Yes Chris, the only thing I am proud of in my life is that I have a chance to be a Sikh.

I am not saying put 'religion-you-are-born-into' before you.

I am not saying put 'religion-your-parents-or-spouse-wants-you-to-follow' before you.

I am saying put 'your' religion before you.

By religion I don't mean the sunday outing, but your core set of principles in life. Yes religion is more than what is has been reduced to be.

And marrying a non-sikh can have compatibility issues! It is up to the person concerned to judge if he can handle that.