Sir,
We have heard a lot about chairs on Sikhism. If such chairs do not serve the purpose of Sikhism, there are several ways to serve your religion. One way is to publish counter papers or books with references as is done in research publication. These papers should be in to prestigious international journals. The books should also be published through highly reputed companies so that these books be bought by libraries and colleges. We have to pay to such companies and authors. For example, McLeod is probably paid by a well-known organisation. Other authors may also be paid by other unknown sources. As “Million Dollar Man” says everybody has its price. Second way is to create Sikhism Institute of Research which you can control and produce publications. Third method is to advertise a topic on Sikhism invite papers and pay a prize to all the authors and publish them together in the form of a book through a very well reputed publishing company. For example, if Oberoi and McLeod have published something against Sikhism, you should advertise that topic on Sikhism, invite papers, pay prizes to the authors and publish them in a book form or in a journal and distribute free to interested parties and libraries.
The fourth way is to have only 5 Selfless Sikhs who can arrange such publications and other Sikhs should pay as their Daswandh directly to authors or companies. No funds to be paid to any organization or any individual. The person who wants to pay Daswandh or any money should pay directly to author a company and get receipt.
In my views there is nothing wrong in needing chairs on Sikhism, In the long run, Sikhism has to go through western religious scrutiny. Should the Sikhs answer all questions raised by others, you will win in the long run and stand on Rock of Gibraltar. All the answers are already in Guru Granth Sahib and you have to show those to others in English language. There is an increased interest in the west about Sikhism in the last 56 years, Sikhs have to answer all questions in the next several years, if we answer all the questions, and we will be well established among world religions.
Sajjan S. Bajwa, Ph.D. Porter ville, CA.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 27, 1990
