No Religion Has a Monopoly on God

“No religion has a monopoly on God.”  This was the most enduring quote from my visit to the Indianapolis Gurdwara Sikh Temple.  I went there with Mark, Faith, and Prem on Sunday, October 3, and upon entering, we were instructed to remove our shoes and socks, and also to cover our hair.  We were then escorted to an upstairs room during the service, where a man named K.P. Singh taught us about the Sikh faith. From him, I learned that Sikhs stress acceptance of all people as well as a life lived completely in God’s name.  “We do not believe in praising God once a day, or twice a day, or five times a day,” he told us. “We believe in praising God with each step, with each breath.”  Singh then informed us of some parallels between Sikhism and the Judeo-Christian faiths, such as the assertion that God created light and then used it to form the world.  He also stressed that people should strive for more than merely tolerance. “You tolerate a bug.  You tolerate bad weather.  But with people, you must not tolerate. You must accept and respect.” His words were inspiring, thought-provoking, and cast a magnificently positive light on Sikhism.  They stress peace, love, and perpetual faith, and it is clear that Singh is a man who lives by his beliefs. After our session with K.P. Singh, we were escorted back downstairs by his nieces, Dimple and Coco, where we participated in a prayer and ate a meal. Food is an integral part of their religious rituals, so it is fitting that the meal was delicious.  We said our goodbyes after we had finished lunch, leaving more well-rounded and knowledgeable than when we had entered. Overall, the visit to the Gurdwara Temple was an eye-opening experience, and I look forward to visiting again soon.

By Kenny Albee, Class of ’13