The Sikhs are an incredible people. They live up to their values adimirably. And oddly enough, their values don’t include murdering innocent people, beheading captives, or lying to exploit their enemies.
My dear departed father was loosely affiliated with the British army while waiting to point out from the CBI theater after WW2. He spoke highly of the Sikhs as fighters and human beings. As to the Brits, he said they were amusing.
SOURCE:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_philosophy
The Sikhs must believe in the following values:
Equality: All humans are equal before God – No discrimination is allowed on the basis of caste, race, gender, creed, origin, color, education, status, wealth, et cetera. The principles of universal equality and brotherhood are important pillars of Sikhism.
Personal right: Every person has a right to life but this right is restricted and has attached certain duties – simple living is essential. A Sikh is expected to rise early, meditate and pray, consume simple food, perform an honest day’s work, carry out duties for his or her family, enjoy life and always be positive, be charitable and support the needy, et cetera.
Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions – good deeds, remembrance of God – Naam Simran, Kirtan.
Living a family life: Encouraged to live as a family unit to provide and nurture children for the perpetual benefit of creation (as opposed to sannyasa or living as a monk, which was, and remains, a common spiritual practice in India.)
Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give to charity 10 percent of one’s net earnings.
Accept God’s will: Develop your personality so that you recognise happy events and miserable events as one – the will of God causes them.
The four truths of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam (in the name of God).
KEY BELIEF:
One God – There is only one god (Waheguru), who has infinite qualities and names. God is Creator and Sustainer - all that you see around you is His creation. He is everywhere, in everything. He is without birth or death, and has existed before Creation and will exist forever. Sikhism does not acknowledge an anthropomorphic God. This is true to the extent than one can interpret Him as the Universe Itself.
Sikhism also does not acknowledge the belief of a Personal God, as does Christianity. Instead, God is usually interpreted as being unfathomable, yet not unknowable.
Reincarnation, karma and salvation – The journey of the soul is governed by the deeds and actions that we perform during our lives.
Remember God: Only by keeping the Creator in your mind at all times will you make progress in your spiritual evolution.
Humanity (brotherhood): All human beings are equal. We are sons and daughters of Waheguru.
Uphold moral values: Defend, protect and fight for the rights of all creatures, in particular your fellow human beings.
Personal sacrifice: Be prepared to give your life for all supreme principles: Guru Tegh Bahadur died for others.
Many paths lead to God: – Sikhs are not special; they are not the chosen people of God. Simply calling yourself a Sikh does not bring you salvation. Members of all religions have the same right to liberty as Sikhs.
Positive attitude toward life: “Charhdi Kala” – Always have a positive, optimistic and buoyant view of life. God is there – He will be your help.
Disciplined life: Upon baptism, a Sikh must wear the Five Ks and perform strict recital of the five prayers).
No special worship days – Sikhs do not believe that any particular day is holier than any other.
Conquer the five thieves – It is every Sikh’s duty to defeat these five thieves: Pride, Anger, Greed, Attachment, and Lust, known collectively as “P.A.G.A.L.”
Attack with five weapons: Contentment (Santokh), Charity (Dan), Kindness (Daya), Positive Energy (Chardi Kala), Humility (Nimarta).
Premarital sexual or extramarital relations: Sikhs are encouraged to be faithful to their spouse. All forms of adultery are discouraged.
All are welcome: Members of all religions can visit gurdwaras (Sikh temples) if they observe local rules: cover the head, no shoes, no smoking in the main hall.
Multi-level approach – Sikhism recognizes the concept of a multi-level approach to achieving one’s target as a disciple of the faith. For example, sahajdhari “slow adopters” are Sikhs who have not donned the full Five Ks but are still Sikhs regardless.