Well, I’m a member of the church of JMB
Like all religions, the Sikh faith is steeped in tradition. One of the most revered is the carrying of a Kirpan, a sword or dagger, at all times.
“People will even wear it in the shower. It’s kind of hard for others to understand,” said Jaswinder Singh, spokesman for the Gurudwara Sikh Center of Seattle.
The concept of the Kirpan is taught to children at an early age. The dagger is considered an instrument of social justice.
“For the people who are formally initiated to the Kirpan, it’s very near and dear,” said Singh.
But is it appropriate to bring to school?
A few weeks ago at Auburn’s Gildo Rey Elementary, a Sikh family approached the school telling them their little boy would be carrying a Kirpan every day.
October 26th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Good for them. And it sounds like stainless Kirpans must be popular in the Sikh faith.
October 26th, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Sikh’s are very good people and are often times confused for moooooslims in our community. I say, good for them.
Fin
October 26th, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Something tells me a faith that requires I carry a Glock 20 all the time would not be accepted.
October 26th, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Paul, there would be those of the Church of JMB that would demand you repent for carrying it, but I think they’d be accepting enough.
Those of us in the Gospel of the Ten Millimeters are much more welcoming, though.
October 26th, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Alla yours churches suck. I attend the Church of the Sacred Cow. Unlimited ammo and instant knock-down stopping power 110% of the time. Praise Jeebuz.
October 26th, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Sounds like someone will be home schooling soon.
October 26th, 2014 at 11:44 pm
@Chris from AK:
If they home school, they can expect a visit from “Children’s Services” or whatever the local equivalent.
After all, there is already an admission from them that there is, or will be, a weapon in the home classroom at all times – how unsafe! For the children!!!!!
October 26th, 2014 at 11:50 pm
One can always be a faithful member of the order of St. Gabriel Possenti.
October 27th, 2014 at 1:52 am
It has risen as a free exercise of religion issue in a lot of places. The Sikhs win. Something, anyway. It depends on the community. In some places the Kirpan is purely jewelry, no edge. In other places, it is welded into the sheath. Still, in others, it is made of cloth. Yes, cloth. I doubt the one in the picture is the one the kid will be carrying, not one that big anyway.
October 27th, 2014 at 9:22 am
And, of course, it’s all about the feeeeelings. Actual safety is irrelevant.
I also have to wonder how that one school volunteer walks into her kitchen every day without fainting from sheer terror. I mean, she’s got to have knives in there, right?
October 27th, 2014 at 10:52 am
What is the relationship of Sikhs to Ghurkas?
Because if the first gets the kirpan in schools, how long before the latter gets the kukri?
October 27th, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Kukris aren’t nearly as religious as kirpans are — they’re more cultural.
For Sikhs, being unarmed is *literally* a major sin.