Freedom to choose

The Sikh Gurus believed in giving the individual complete freedom to choose his or her spiritual path. They believed that there should be no compulsion or force used when an individual makes this choice. Most of the disciples of the Gurus became their followers after listening to the Gurus' sermons and then voluntarily following the guidance provided by the Gurus. The spiritual masters made no promises of heaven or paradise to entice these Sikhs to follow the path of Dharma. The disciples were not told that because they were Sikhs and followers of the Gurus, only they would be welcomed by God. The Guru made it clear that only by following the path of truth and by undertaking righteous actions can one become dear to the Lord thus: 
Bhai Mardana was a lifelong companion of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi. Bhai Mardana was a Muslim from birth and remained as such until his last day. In fact, it is believed that the Guru, carried out Bhai sahib's last rites in accordance with the Muslim faith. It is a fact that although Bhai sahib remained with the Guru for most his life, he remained a Muslim for all his life while many thousands became Sikhs and disciples of the Guru. However, due to his merit, the Guru still honoured Bhai sahib ji by including a verse of his—a (Shabad) in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture. The Guru did not force or compel his followers into following his ideology; complete freedom of choice was given to the sangat (community).
Sikhs believe: that there is only one God in the Universe and that He is the same God for all religions and all the peoples of the world; that ones soul goes through a cycle of births and deaths before taking human form; that the ultimate goal of these many lives is to merge with God by maintaining a balance of spiritual and temporal obligations; that the true path to God is not one of renunciation of the world but rather a life of devotion as a householder, earning an honest living while avoiding temptations and sin; that all people of all races and sex are equal in the eyes of God; that there is total equality between man and woman and women can participate in any religious function and lead the congregation in prayer.
==Claims of exclusivity==
Doubting the validity of their religion many people of many different religions have, throughout history, pushed their own religion on others—touting their own religion as the only way to salvation.
A few historic examples, the most recent being 1893: 
# “…these non-Christian bibles are all developments in the wrong direction. They all begin with some flashes of true light and end in utter darkness.“ (Professor Monier Williams)Early indology of india ‘There can be no doubt of a greater mistake than to force these non-Christian bibles into conformity with some scientific theory of development and then point to Christian’s Holy Bible as the crowning product of religious evolution. So far from this, these non-Christian bibles are all developments in the wrong direction. They all begin with some flashes of true light and end in utter darkness.’ ‘It seems to me that our missionaries are already sufficiently convinced of the neccessity of studying these works, and of making themselves conversant with the false creeds they have to fight against. How could an army of invaders have any chance of success in an enemy’s country without a knowledge of the position and strength of its fortresses, and without knowing how to turn the batteries they may capture against the for?' 
#“The truth capable of saving humanity is and shall be the product of Hindu Gurus forever and for ever.” (Sri Aurobindo) Only he who knows the Veda, knows the Truth.
#“Those who do not follow the Vedas or criticise them should be cut up, burnt and destroyed”.Athrav Veda Chapter 12 Sukat 5 Hymn No. 62.
#“Never offer religion instruction to a shudra” (Manu Smirti Ch.4 hymn 80) 
#“Following a religion other than Islam is not acceptable.” (Quran 3:85) The Noble Quran "85:And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers"
# The Jews claim that God favoured the Jews and granted them the land of Israel. The Holy Qur’an very clearly speaks of the special favor God gave the Children of Israel. You can read this in Surah 2, verse 47, which means: "O Children of Israel! call to mind the [special] favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others [for My Message]." 
#The Archbishop of Canterbury had declined to attend the Chicago Parliament of world religions (1893) organised by Catholic Cardinal Gibbons of America saying that the very meeting of such a parliament implied that all religions were equal. Representatives of most of the religions of the world attended this meeting but the archbishop did not. The ‘church of world creator’ is all white, anti-Semitic, claims monopoly and hates non-Christian religions as heathens.Interfaith and Globalisation Some Christians were prepared to recognise God’s presence in other religions, but they were in a minority. Indeed some Christians even protested against the very idea of a Parliament. The then Archbishop of Canterbury, E.W. Benson, had declined an invitation to attend, saying that his difficulties rested "on the fact that the Christian religion is the one religion. I do not understand how that religion can be regarded as a member of a Parliament of Religions, without assuming the equality of other intended members and the parity of their position and claims"The 1893 World Parliament of Religions Further opposition came from the Archbishop of Canterbury, saying in his letter that his disapproval rested on “the fact that the Christian religion is the one religion. I do not understand how that religion can be regarded as a member of a Parliament of Religions without assuming the equality of the other intended members and the parity of their position and claims”
==All are equal before the Lord==
Sikhism does not claim such a monopoly or to be the only path to God. Such claims invariably end in confrontations with losers and winners? They produce many self-righteous and intolerant snobs. Sikhism preaches that exclusivity is the most damaging feature of any religion. 
 
:“ The world is going up in flames O Lord— shower it with Your Mercy, Save it, and deliver it from sin through whichever door (religion) humanity approaches.” Guru Granth Sahib page 853
 
It advises that we “should not call any religion inferior or false” and thus, “give rise to controversies.” 
The Sikh Gurus demonstrated the need for complete freedom of choice in matters dealing with religion and spirituality. This is clear by looking at the sacrifice performed by the ninth Guru, . The ninth Guru put his life on the line for the protection of the Kashmiri Hindus and their right to freely practise their faith without hindrance, forced conversion and fear of death. See Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur for further details.
==Conversion==
Throughout the history of religion there have been some who saw their religion as superior or the only path to God. For many of the practitioners and leaders of these religions, prostelization is a stated aim. The most benign example of this superiority complex is the missionary who often manages to do service to those they are trying to win over; at its worst the use of force--rape, torture and even murder have been condoned as tools necessary to--'free people from their backwards beliefs--for their own good'. There are even merits postulated in the next world for those who convert others to their religion by violent means.
India is famed for giving birth to several religions that have spread around the world peacefully--by setting an example of behaviors that wins new converts. Some have been like private clubs seeking no new members, clubs, which one must be born into. So sure of their religion being the 'only' correct one, they do not encourage prostlization and even restrict access to their religion's temples and Holy books, not only to strangers but even among their stratified members. 
Such religious bigotry is contrary to reason, restricts freedom of thought and has often lead to inter-religious wars. Society cannot develop if all human beings think exactly alike. The human mind thrives on diversity. In almost every religion we find many factions and sects who even, in some cases, prey upon each other rather than praying with each other to the one God they all worship in common.
 
Sikhism preaches that a man is judged by the nobleness of his character and not by his membership or participation in any religion. Sikhs believe that nobody should be forced or coerced into any religion under pressure. If a man chooses to part with his traditional religion, he should make certain that he has something of value to replace it.
 
Sikhs and Prostelyzation
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Sikhi discourages one from becoming a Sikh until he or she has developed strong feelings and commitment towards Sikhism in their studies, knowledge and relationships with Sikhs which motivates her or him to accept Sikhism--short of such surety she or he should not accept Sikhism. Therefore, before a novice is baptized as a Sikh, he/she has to beg for baptismal water with folded hands five times as every time the new initiate is reminded to follow the way of God (Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh) throughout their lifetime. 
Conversion to Sikhism is through demonstration of the quality of life a Sikh lives. The Guru's philosophy is the ideal for a Sikh to follow. In order to bring the Sikh to this ideal standard the Guru's instruction is, “Do what the Guru asks you to do. Do not blindly copy His achievements.” The Guru expected the Sikhs’ behavior to be such as would inspire in others an urge to become Sikhs. Therefore, the only conversion that Sikhism recommends is the conversion of manners and moral behavior. Such a conversion can be better achieved through example rather than coercion. 
Hinduism, Catholicism, Islam and Judaism all initiate the newborn into their parent's religion, if not at birth certainly within a few weeks. Sikhism, like many Protestant sects waits for the individual, he or she, to be old enough to make their own choice. Yet unlike many sects of Christianity, Sikhism does not hold promises of paradise or the dark-eyed houris (chaste as hidden pearls of retiring beauty) to its followers as does Islam, (the Qu'ran actually makes no such promise). The 72 heavenly virgins are from a Hadith or oral tradition. In the west this is called hearsay—he said that he said, that he said, in a long unbroken line (nearly 1400 years) to someone who is related to have heard the Rasul say it. Over the years many people invented hadiths to advance their own interests and many were executed for doing so. Today the heavenly virgins are usually touted by older men to young impressionable boys who kill themselves and innocents, presumably of the hated practitioners of any religion other than their own. 
Today we can only hope our 'scientific minds given to scientific methodology' would approve the acceptance of any idea only after careful analysis and testing. Most world religions preach that acceptance of a religion does not permit verification and questioning. 
Sikhism. however, preaches thorough satisfaction and a through investigation of its history and values, before accepting a religion. 
The Guru says, “First, examine the merchandise carefully, and only then, make the deal.” 
==See also==
* Guidance for All
* Secularism
* Guru Granth Sahib
==External links==
* The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions
==References==
* This article based on publication "Sikh Religion and Science" by G.S.Sidhu M.A; FIL (London)