Comment on Sikhs 'demonised' after murder, says community leader
mannycalavera@feddit.uk 4 hours ago
Firstly fuck Elon Musk.
But secondly… these ancient religious rules are fucking dumb. My religion requires me to carry a weapon 🔪. Why should that override common sense law around carrying weapons? This isn’t the ancient times. We’re (supposed to be) a civilised country.
brewery@feddit.uk 1 hour ago
Sikhism is less than 600 years old which is not ancient.
The religion requires 5 symbols including this one. The purpose of the kirpan is to always be ready to defend yourself and others regardless of religion, as part of an idea of being a spiritual warrior, because at the time when it was formed, their land was being invaded and people of multiple religions being forcebly and violently converted to another religion and different way of life. Other symbols represent different things.
They used to be long swords but are now dagger sized. Most religious Sikhs nowadays in places like the UK and Canada wear a symbolic one, which either cannot be opened, is dull and/or very small so they have already adapted to living here. They don’t take them on airplanes for obvious reasons but still want to keep on their traditions. Like any group, there are dickheads like this guy but in reality, anybody could chose to carry a knife and use it.
It literally says in the article “Under current legislation, a practising Sikh may wear a small, curved blade, known as a Kirpan, close to the body but drawing it in an act of aggression is illegal.” This is similar to people going camping, or with work tools. If you’re not a danger and have a good excuse for having it then you are acting legally but the second you use it aggressively or to hurt someone it’s the same for everyone.
Please don’t call a central concept of a religion or any way of living dumb without looking up or knowing any facts about it.