An Introduction to Sikhism and Sikh views about

An Introduction to Sikhism and Sikh views about God Lesson objectives: To know how Sikhism developed as a religion and that they believe in one God To understand the different characteristics that Sikhs believe God possesses To think philosophically about whether things in the universe suggest that there is a God and whether it can tell us anything about God.

Sikhism began in the Punjab area of India in the 15 th century • True. This makes it the youngest of the 6 major world religions

The word ‘Sikh’ comes from the Punjabi and means ‘someone who teaches’ • False. It means ‘someone who learns’

There around 1 billion Sikhs in the world today • False. There are only approximately 27 million.

Sikhism is the 4 th largest religion in the UK • True. Although most Sikhs live in India, there around half a million Sikhs living in Britain.

Sikhism teaches that there are many gods • False. Sikhs believe that there is only one God, which is one of the most important beliefs of the religion

Introduction to Sikhism • Sikhism began in the 15 th century with Guru (meaning ‘teacher’) Nanak • Although he was born into a Hindu family, he had a revelation that there was only one God. • He looked beyond the religious practices of the Hindus and Muslims around him and encouraged his followers to search only for God. • God is viewed as neither male nor female and the core of Sikh beliefs about God are found in the ‘Mool Mantar’, which is the opening prayer found in the Sikh holy book.

The Mool Mantar - Questions • Please stick in the sheet on the Mool Mantar and answer the questions underneath in your book • 1) Pick two of the qualities of God found in the Mool Mantar and explain how believing in each quality will help a Sikh in their everyday lives. • 2) In your view, which 2 characteristics of God are the most important? Give reasons for your answer • Extension: Although God has no form, Sikhs believe that God is a personal being they can have a relationship with. How might reciting the Mool Mantar help them to do this?

Can we see that God exists? • Sikhs believe that, apart from the Mool Mantar, they can draw closer to God by examining the world they live in e. g. The order and beauty that exist show the hand of a Creator. • 1) With the person next to you, think about things in the universe that suggest God exists and those things that seem to suggest that God does not exist Things in the world that fit with the idea of God existing e. g. Many things in the universe work perfectly to keep human alive e. g. Earth’s distance from sun Things in the world that do not fit with the idea of God existing Extension: write down how you think a Sikh might respond to the things you have put in column 2

Now share! • Join up with another pair and any new ideas to your table • Out of the ideas/observations that you have, decide which one you think best demonstrates that God exists and which one you think best demonstrates that God does not exist? • Get ready to share with the class!

Do you think that the complexity of the universe and the things within it suggest that God exists?