I have a special affection for the Sikhs of the world. They come from Punjab in India, but they have spread to many countries around the world. One November day in 2024, I met Sikh Ravinder (32).
In total, they number around 25 million. In Norway, there are 5000 of them. The taxi driver does not mind receiving a salvation tract from me.
While Solveig and I are sitting in the back seat, I asked the 32-year-old a lot about the Sikh faith. The Sikh religion started in the 1500s. Ten prophets or priests wrote down their teachings, one after the other. Ultimately, the writings were compiled into a "Holy Book" of several thousand pages. It is always centrally displayed in their temple. A shortened version of it can be purchased, Ravinder tells me.
The Sikhs are mostly hardworking farmers. When Sikhs visit the temple (which is open 24 hours a day), they bring vegetables and food. It is voluntary. Anyone can go there to get a free meal. But then you must, in reverence to their god and the temple, cover your head and take off your shoes before entering the temple. Most sit on the floor, but if one cannot do that, they may sit on a chair while eating and worshiping their god. Therefore, no one needs to starve to death if there is a Sikh temple where they live. Each temple has a priest. When a Sikh enters the temple, it sometimes happens that he reverently walks around the Sikhs' Holy Book four times. This is especially true during important ceremonies such as weddings.
In contrast to the Hindus (who have around 48 million gods), Sikhs believe in one god, and they have great respect for him. "God does not want us to cut hair and beard. I am not as dedicated a Sikh as many others, so I do cut hair and beard. The most dedicated Sikhs wear a turban on their heads and do not cut their hair and beard, for God does not want us to do that. I believe in the Sikh god and read in our Holy Book for half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening," Ravinder tells Solveig and me in the back seat.
I thank the polite and kind Ravinder for a pleasant trip in his yellow taxi. One of the laws of the Sikh faith is to show kindness to other people. I think I'll take a trip to the nearest temple to get acquainted with more Sikhs.
Latest news is that a great revival has broken out among the Sikhs in the state of Punjab in India. They are being saved in large numbers—and many are becoming Pentecostals.
I have a special affection for the Sikhs of the world. They come from Punjab in India, but they have spread to many countries around the world. One November day in 2024, I met Sikh Ravinder (32).
In total, they number around 25 million. In Norway, there are 5000 of them. The taxi driver does not mind receiving a salvation tract from me.
While Solveig and I are sitting in the back seat, I asked the 32-year-old a lot about the Sikh faith. The Sikh religion started in the 1500s. Ten prophets or priests wrote down their teachings, one after the other. Ultimately, the writings were compiled into a "Holy Book" of several thousand pages. It is always centrally displayed in their temple. A shortened version of it can be purchased, Ravinder tells me.
The Sikhs are mostly hardworking farmers. When Sikhs visit the temple (which is open 24 hours a day), they bring vegetables and food. It is voluntary. Anyone can go there to get a free meal. But then you must, in reverence to their god and the temple, cover your head and take off your shoes before entering the temple. Most sit on the floor, but if one cannot do that, they may sit on a chair while eating and worshiping their god. Therefore, no one needs to starve to death if there is a Sikh temple where they live. Each temple has a priest. When a Sikh enters the temple, it sometimes happens that he reverently walks around the Sikhs' Holy Book four times. This is especially true during important ceremonies such as weddings.
In contrast to the Hindus (who have around 48 million gods), Sikhs believe in one god, and they have great respect for him. "God does not want us to cut hair and beard. I am not as dedicated a Sikh as many others, so I do cut hair and beard. The most dedicated Sikhs wear a turban on their heads and do not cut their hair and beard, for God does not want us to do that. I believe in the Sikh god and read in our Holy Book for half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening," Ravinder tells Solveig and me in the back seat.
I thank the polite and kind Ravinder for a pleasant trip in his yellow taxi. One of the laws of the Sikh faith is to show kindness to other people. I think I'll take a trip to the nearest temple to get acquainted with more Sikhs.
Latest news is that a great revival has broken out among the Sikhs in the state of Punjab in India. They are being saved in large numbers—and many are becoming Pentecostals.
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