Religion and Healthcare – Sikh

In exploring the views of different religions toward health, well-being, Western medicine, and death, we interviewed a variety of religious spokespersons. Although each religion has its own general guidelines, we found that there are frequently individual differences in interpretation and adherence.

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The following answers were compiled with information from Dr. Onkar Singh, a naturopathic doctor in Brantford, Ontario.

Q: Does Sikhism have any dietary restrictions?

A: Sikhs do not eat meat used in religious sacrifice or Halal meat, since they believe the method of killing to be cruel. They believe that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages deters a person from God's way of life, so they avoid these practices.

Q: Does Sikhism have a history of traditional or herbal medicine?

A: Sikhs have a choice in the type of healthcare and medications they receive. Since Sikhism originates from India, many people combine conventional Western healthcare practices with alternative practices, including homeopathy, ayurveda, and naturopathy, and it is common to take herbal medicines.

Q: Are there treatments or medications that are refused by Sikhs?

A: Sikhism values the sciences and the knowledge of healthcare practitioners, and Sikhs are not prohibited from using any medical procedures. However, since cutting the hair is considered to be disrespectful, some patients resist shaving the hair on the body before an operation.

For cultural reasons, women may not discuss certain health issues with a male doctor, particularly if it is of a sexual nature. Sometimes a female doctor may speak with the patient privately to learn more information about a health complaint. Sikhs do not like to openly discuss things of a sexual nature with anyone, since these matters are considered private, so it may be difficult to find out all of a patient's symptoms, male or female.

Q: What is your religion's position on the following?

A: Sexual enhancing drugs (i.e., Viagra): Although these drugs may be discouraged by those who associate them with lust, taking them is a personal choice.

Birth Control: Many people do use birth control – it is a personal decision. Again, however, birth control may be associated with lust by some people and may be seen to disrupt the natural cycle of procreation, so they will not use it. And sex should only be within marriage.

Abortion: There is no religious ruling on abortion. Some do not support its use because they believe that the fetus has a soul. However, it is a personal choice.

Q: What should a healthcare professional know about a Sikh's view of death?

A: Everything that happens is the will of God. Healing through prayer and through medicine are both possible. But a person is meant to recover without medication, they will do so. Many people will willingly accept the will of God rather than go through difficult treatments. When a patient dies, scripture reading and prayer are carried out, and a service for the deceased is held about a week later.

Background on Sikhism

In 1499, after having a life-altering experience, the founder, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (known as Guru Nanak) started the religion in the Punjab region of what is now Pakistan. Although Sikhism adopts some Hindu and Muslim concepts, it is a new idea – not a merger of the two religions. "Sikh" means "learner" or "disciple," and Sikhism's goal is to search for "truth" – specifically true love and reality in this world.

Sikhs believe in one true God, whose reality can be realized through two perspectives – intellect and love. They also believe that humans can relate to God through meditation and that the human soul is inherently good, but it is fettered by human weakness and faults. Sikhs also believe in the concept of reincarnation and that people can move closer to (or further away from) realizing "truth" in each subsequent life. Finding "truth" includes blending the body and the soul with the essence of God to experience perfect bliss. Because of this view, Sikhs do not look at death as a loss, but as the possibility that their loved one has joined God's being.

For more information visit the Sikh Foundation, Sikh Net, and the North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association.

Watch for additional articles in our Religion and Healthcare series, featuring: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mennonites, Mormons, Roman Catholicism, and Seventh Day Adventists.

Religion and Healthcare – Sikh

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Laura Crane

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