First, it spread widely including Africa and Asia before coming to Europe, then it was European, and then with the period of European expansion it has become worldwide. One problem it has faced in this third phase is the European bias that has travelled with it, for instance, the pre-Christian Christmas Tree. It is from these traditions that we find the emphasis on human effort rather than Divine Grace. Funny how you might become my slave to save your life but hesitate to become God s slave who gave you life. Effort puts a price on God and self - a few prayers, a bit of charity, a bit of this, a bit of that, now I am good enough.
Grace focuses on our love of despite, our love of control.
We love our chains of the five energies - freedom is so risky. There is a difference between the fervent striving arising from the action of Grace and reliance on human effort and ingenuity. In the UK perhaps as many young Sikhs convert to Christianity as Islam, though since they are not specifically targeted there is less tension. One purpose of these pieces has been to provide some basic information comparing the two. Thus, any Sikh will provide a re-interpretation of Christian teachings whose hallmark will be spirituality and clarity.