 |
 |
 | |
 |
 |
 | |
| Peaceful Co-existence? | |||
Does Sikhism encourage violence? With the dust starting to settle on the Vaisakhi parade controversy, I wonder how accurately our community can answer this question. Just under a year ago, May 4, 2009, MacLean's magazine published an article titled, "What Canadians think of Sikhs, Jews, Christians, Muslims... A disturbing new poll shows the limits of our tolerance."
The article published data from a national poll that surveyed Canadians' beliefs about a number of mainstream religions. The poll found that, when it comes to religion, "many Canadians harbor deeply troubling biases."
Of particular interest were the questions that probed Canadians' views on Sikhism. When asked if they thought the mainstream beliefs of Sikhism encouraged violence, a full 26 per cent of respondents answered "yes."
Why might so many Canadians hold such inaccurate views of Sikhism? The article speculates that media coverage of complex social, economic, or political issues may oversimplify matters, leading to erroneous "reductive reasoning" in which readers tend to misattribute religion as the cause.
In short, religion is an easier hook on which to hang our prejudices. The poll also asked respondents if they held a "generally favourable opinion" about Sikhism, to which only 30 per cent answered "yes," one of the lowest favourability ratings in the poll.
Only one in three Canadians can find in their hearts to hold a favourable view of Sikhism. This next piece is really interesting. The poll then probed whether or not having a Sikh friend was a related factor in peoples' opinions about Sikhism. Of respondents who did not have a Sikh friend, only 23 per cent had a "generally favourable view." Of respondents who did have a Sikh friend, 63 per cent had a "generally favourable view."
We, as a society, have a predisposition towards misunderstanding and intolerance when it comes to religious traditions that differ from our own. I am hopeful that our politicians and media can choose words and images that minimize the risk of fueling this misunderstanding and intolerance.
I am also hopeful that all citizens of Surrey will take advantage of opportunities to get to know their neighbours and to challenge some of the misconceptions and assumptions they may have about religious traditions other than their own.
The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, 7050 120th St., is hosting a Multifaith Social at 4-6 p.m. on May 16. The event is an opportunity to get to know people from different faith traditions in your community.
Contact the author David Dalley at [email protected] or (604) 502-8661 for more information.
(David Dalley, Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program).