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Summary of Question:	man should be free
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 8/08/2000 3:20 AM MDT

While i was pondering on the virtues of sikhism, and looking at the past questions and answers I see that most the answers you give are those that traditional punjabi or indian culture dictates. eg no sex before marriage, no drinking, no drugs, arrange marriage etc.

Was this not basically the lifestyle before the guru's, did they really teach us anything.

For example they wanted to cut out the rituals, yet all sikhs that i know still cary out many in the name of sikhism without knowing the meaning. ie the wedding ceremony chuni etc

I would also like to know where the doctrine of arrnage marriage came from, I was informed that it is not mentioned in the Guru Granth Saib, rather it was a culture thing more then a sikhism thing.

I feel that many sikhs make the mistake of thinking god was from Punjab, thus copying what they use to do.

I guess the question I am really asking is, does god not want us to be free, rather then be regimented by past traditions?

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Reply
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That's interesting. Traditional American culture says that drugs and pre-marital sex are not good also. God must be from America!
You are already free to choose which way to go in life. You are actually talking about whether the ego or the soul should rule in you. The reason these things are not recommended is because they elevate your ego over your spirit. If you want to live in your ego, in the earthly consciousness, go ahead and do everything and anything. Spiritual life is for those who want it and who are ready. If you don't want that, then have fun. If you want to see the results of that life, there are millions walking around as old nobodies with dead souls.
These simple do's and don'ts of life are handed down because they were known to work. Keep yourself mentally and spiritually light. Don't weigh yourself down with these actions that have no purpose except for temporary escape or entertainment. The karma stays with you long after the pleasure is gone.
And one more thing. Having a habit of drugs or sex is not freedom. It is slavery.