The differences between Christian and Sikh concepts of salvation

¶ … Sikh and Christianity

Faith is a curious thing. We live in a world that enjoys proof and scoff at things that cannot be established with fact and reason. Faith is one of those things yet it is an important aspect of many lives across the earth. Faith is generally linked to religion and there is no shortage of that, either. Religions differ, however, and while they share some similar characteristics, they can be vastly different. Two belief systems that demonstrate this difference are the Sikh and Christian religions and their concepts of salvation. These religions demonstrate the importance of faith in a personally satisfying relationship with God.

In the Sikh religion, salvation is the same thing as nirvana and it is achieved through "self surrender and submission" (Mansukhani 116) as God becomes manifest through his own creation. Salvation depends upon "both Divine Grace and the efforts of the seeker' (595). The seeker must cleanse himself of all evil for salvation to be offered unto him. This path is also referred to as God-realization (595) and it is the seekers' "natural response to the offer of salvation that God communicates" (595). The goal of this path is to experience "release from transmigrations" (595) and reaching union with God. The path "involves the performance of a number of religious practices, both personal and communal, which cleanse and discipline" (595). The interior aspect of this path deals with the seeker's approach to God via meditation. The renunciation of the world is not as important to the Sikh religion as living a life of "disciplines worldliness" (597). The communal aspect of the path deals with the seeker and the larger community as a whole. Sacramental acts include ceremonial events regarding such stages of life as getting engaged, marriage, naming a child and death. In contrast, Christians do not support the notion of salvation through good works. In fact, the purpose for the death and resurrection of Jesus was to eliminate this kind of thinking entirely. While it is commanded to do good, this is not a requirement for salvation.

Essentially, the Sikh religion believes that after death, the soul returns to God. This God is universal and salvation is acquired through good works, states Raj. (Raj 177). This does not happen with just one life, Raj explains. Salvation is attained after several reincarnations. Mansukhani asserts, "some people are busy in good works, while others are busy in crime and sin" (Mansukhani 116). On the other hand, Christian salvation does not require the seeker to be cleansed. In fact, the seeker's life can be as "dirty" and evil as it can be but as long as the seeker accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, salvation is his. Jesus is perhaps the biggest and most problematic difference between the religions. Christians believe that salvation comes through believing in Christ -- there is nothing to take the place of Jesus with this religion. Like most eastern religions, Sikhs believe that Jesus was a good man and teacher and group him Mohammed and Buddha and that all of these paths lead to God. There is no savior in the Sikh religion and no death or resurrection.