Religion is the faith or belief of a person in an eternal supreme power. Religions teach people to be faithful and kind to one another. But the principles of every religion differ
People following a religion adhere to the teaching of that religion and live their lives based on it. Though every religion says about the preaching of a God, their way of worship differs.
Key Takeaways
- Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century in Punjab, India, while Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Sikhism believes in the concept of “Ik Onkar” (One God), while Christianity believes in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Sikhism emphasizes the importance of selfless service and equality, while Christianity emphasizes faith, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Sikhism vs Christianity
Christianity is also a monotheistic religion that is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem in the first century CE. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of India, and it was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Sikhism was originated from an Indian who was born in a Hindu family. The founder of Sikhism was Guru Nanak. India had many superstitious cruelties like sati and caste discrimination at that time.
Guru Nanak wanted a religion in which everyone was given equal opportunity irrespective of their caste and social status. He spoke about kindness and humanity and asked his followers to practice them.
Christianity is based on the teachings and the ways of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who he sent to this world because of his love towards the earth.
Jesus lived a life full of good deeds like kindness, forgiveness, humanity, and love. So, a true Christian should also have these characteristics of the Lord.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Sikhism | Christianity |
|---|---|---|
| Number of followers | 30 million | 2.3 billion |
| Famous holiday | Christmas | Guru Nanak Gurpurab. It is the birthday of the founder of Sikhism |
| Holy book | The Holy Bible. | Granth Sahib contains the principles and words of the 10 gurus of Sikhism |
| Idols | Some Christians worship and include idols in their rituals | They don’t follow idol worship |
| Symbol | The cross Jesus was crucified is the symbol of Christianity. | The khanda |
What is Sikhism?
Sikhism consists of the teachings of ten gurus. All these holy texts were compiled together in the form of a holy book called Guru Granth Sahib.
This holy book is considered the supreme guru since it is the collection of the wisdom of all the other gurus. Sikhs don’t perform Idolatry worship.
Daily prayers are a part of the worship of Sikhism. Sikhism has three major principles, which are, Sikhs must hold on to god at all times and be grateful to him, Sikhs must live a life of honesty, and the last and crucial one is sharing one’s fortunes with the needy.
Sikhs also have a baptism ceremony which is quite different from other religions. Sikhs should wear five things considered special: a comb, long uncut hair, a specific undergarment, bangles made of iron, and a dagger.
Sikhs also respect the other religious saints and holy messengers. Granthis are appointed at the Holy place as clergy.
Anyone of any religion or caste can enter a Gurdwara. Worshipping God at any place is acceptable it is not necessary to visit a Gurdwara to pray.
Sikhism teaches that sins are forgiven by God only if the person realizes his sin and does good things as redemption. Sikhism considers women as equals to men.
What is Christianity?
Christianity is a religion with the highest number of followers in the world. Christianity is based on the life of Jesus Christ on earth and his preachings. Christians must be kind and obedient to God.
Practicing charity is one of the crucial teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity originated after the miraculous acts of Jesus Christ that made people follow him.
Christians believe the sins of men were inherited from Adam, who disobeyed God. Since then, every human has been sinful and needs salvation to reach heaven.
They can live an eternal life with God’s love. Christians are responsible for their good and bad deeds as they choose to act in either way.
Christians believe that when judgment day arrives, God will resurrect every dead and judge them according to their sins. Then the soul considered pure will move to heaven with God, and the souls of sinners will be condemned to hell pit.
Every Christian is given a duty to spread the gospel of God to save many others from committing sins.
Christians spend Sundays connecting with their community and God. They attend services at churches and listen to the holy sermon of priests.
Christians believe that God forgives the confessed sins, some confess directly to God, others through a priest. Christianity doesn’t support animist religions like paganism or witchcraft.
Main Differences Between Sikhism and Christianity
- Sikhism doesn’t encourage idol worship, and it is prohibited, while In some sects of Christianity, the worship of Photos and Statues of Jesus, Mary, and other Saints is followed.
- Gurdwara is the Holy worshipping place for Sikhs, whereas Churches, Chapels, basilicas, etc., are considered the place where God resides in Christianity. However, both religions encourage praying anywhere, anytime.
- Sikhism doesn’t believe in judgment day. Sikhs believe that one can reach paradise by being a true Sikh. But Christianity says about the second coming and Judgment Day.
- Sikhism considers vegetarianism to be perfect for a Sikh, but they can eat the meat of an animal killed with one stroke. Christianity allows all types of food. However, some Christians avoid pork.
- According to Sikhism, God has no true form. But, Christianity believes in the Trinity concept. According to this, God is seen in three forms.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dNOxqyBkywcC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=sikhism+and+Christianity+&ots=8Xi7_-aBfS&sig=_Pbyx42UHO-mn6fyqoHCTqIPbzo
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=G8KMCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR8&dq=sikhism+and+Christianity+&ots=Bhtp1d96Eq&sig=8S2bCtDHOCND1_ilT5dcQvoBiKg
Last Updated : 14 October, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
The article offers a thorough comparison of Sikhism and Christianity, mentioning their history, teachings, and beliefs. The presented facts are both enlightening and educational, and the section on the main differences between the two religions is particularly well-explained. The references add a lot of credibility to the post.
I couldn’t agree more. I particularly appreciated the clear summary of key takeaways and the comparison table. It allowed me to understand the main points easily.
The detailed descriptions of Sikhism’s and Christianity’s core beliefs and practices make this post an excellent resource for understanding how these religions differ. The references cited further demonstrate the post’s credibility and reliability in discussing such complex and significant subjects.
This article offers an enlightening comparison of Sikhism and Christianity, providing a substantial amount of detail and analysis. The inclusion of references adds credibility to the post, making it a reliable and educational resource.
I couldn’t agree more. The post’s thorough examination of the religious principles and its reliable references make it a valuable and informative read.
The post provides an insightful examination of the principles, beliefs, and practices of Sikhism and Christianity. It brings a deep understanding of both religions and presents clear differences between them. It’s a remarkable source for those who wish to comprehend these faiths better.
Absolutely, Benjamin. The detailed comparison table and the emphasis on key takeaways provide a comprehensive overview of these two religions and offer a valuable learning opportunity.
A well-structured and informative post that outlines the fundamental aspects of Sikhism and Christianity. The style is engaging and clear, which makes the content easily accessible to readers.
While I appreciate the effort put into comparing Sikhism and Christianity, the information provided seems to lean towards emphasizing the differences rather than the similarities between the two religions. A more balanced approach could enhance the post’s value.
Although the information about Sikhism and Christianity is relevant, the article would benefit from more neutral language and less judgmental expressions. A topic as delicate as religion should be handled with the utmost respect, and the post feels a bit too biased at times.
I see your point, Wood. An objective tone would definitely enhance the post’s credibility and make it more compelling, especially when addressing such delicate matters.