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August 29th, 2012
11:09 AM ET
My Faith: My Sikh prayer for the Republican National Convention
By Ishwar Singh, Special to CNN I am honored to be the first Sikh American in U.S. history to deliver the invocation at a national convention. On Wednesday, I will offer a prayer at the Republican National Convention from my Sikh faith. The prayer calls upon the American public to join with us in recognition that we are one family. As an immigrant, a small-business owner and a father, I am humbled by the opportunity to address the nation. When I came to this country over 40 years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the honor of offering a prayer for the nation. My story is possible only in America. My prayer will be an opportunity to share the spirit of the Sikh faith with the American people. The tenets of Sikhism - humility, equality, and justice - lie at the heart of the American ethic. For more than 100 years, Sikhs have lived, worked, and worshipped in America as farmers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists and more. We see ourselves as part of one America. On Wednesday, I’ll be honored to stand as a proud Sikh with my turban and beard as a fellow American. Opinion: Is Sikh-led prayer at RNC a hollow gesture? Unfortunately, the recent mass shooting of Sikhs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and attacks on mosques across the nation call us to recommit to a vision of unity. These acts are just the most recent in a history of violence against our community. In the aftermath of the Iran hostage crisis, the first Gulf War, the Oklahoma City bombing, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, subsequent wars, and the controversy over the so-called “ground zero mosque,” Sikhs have been on the receiving end of hate. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter I hope that my presence Wednesday on the national stage will play a small part in helping Sikhs - and people of all races, faiths and orientations - be seen as part of the great American family. We Sikhs draw strength from the nonpartisan support we have received in response to the terrible tragedy in Oak Creek. On the Republican side, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Rep. Paul Ryan, and now the Republican National Committee have extended a hand of friendship. On the Democrats’ side, President Obama ordered flags flown at half-staff and Attorney General Eric Holder and first lady Michelle Obama have visited Oak Creek to mourn with us and express their support. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories After Wednesday, I hope that we will see more engagement and inclusion. I hope our elected officials will stand against hateful speech this election season. I hope that the government tracks hate crimes specifically against Sikhs and that Sikhs will be considered eligible to serve this country, as we have served so many others, in the police and armed forces. I hope that our children and grandchildren will be permitted to be full and equal members of this great American family. As our first teacher, Guru Nanak, and the founders of our faith taught us: I see no stranger. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ishwar Singh.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's note: Ishwar Singh is the president of the 
It's hard to fathom how so many people are hung up on ancient myths. Can someone prove to me that God exists. There has never been any proof other than people believing the universe was created. We know it evolved from the big bang theory. Other than that we don't have any other clues so far. Religions began when man started fantasizing about some other "being" besides humans. All stories have been man made ever since.
@Bev
Christians are on these articles to ensure Jesus Christ's truth is posted. You need to start your walk with Jesus. A tornado hit my trailer park and did $100,000 worth of improvements. This is a test from God. Do you have what it takes to pass?
Amen.
Why do you get so worked up on what I believe? Am I harming you in some way?
Brandon, you are an embarrasment to the human race. I don't know if you are harming anyone. Are you a Christian evengelical? If so then yes, you are harming many people. Are you a parent? Then you are most likely abusing your children with your lies and fairy tales.
Wow Tard, it must suck to spend all day getting worked up about everyone who does not share your views.
@brandon, don't worry he is probably cooped up in mommy and daddy's basement upset that he can't find a job for that sociology degree he has. I can't wait to hear the "Well actually i make this much and work here, and i drive this type of car, and you don't because you are a hillbilly, redneck" speech. It is sad that people hate others beliefs so much that they have to come onto a message board and whine about how others raise their kids.
Brandon and dp,
Given a choice, a child will choose reality. Once the realize that Santa and the Tooth Fairy are not real, it follows that God is a lie too.
If you brain wash them (mental abuse by definition) naturally they will live in fear and believe in acient myths.
Yes, you are a child abuser. The truth must hurt.
Yes all religious people are child abusers. All religious children show signs of abuse Especially the 99.9% of them that grow up to be very successful caring parents of their own.
@dp
"Yes all religious people are child abusers. "
Correct.
@"never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the honor of offering a prayer for the nation"
To offer a prayer for the nation can't be done without this RNC? whom is he trying to pleased with due respect?
I can offer my prayer for my country any time I want and I do it all the time as we all are doing for the droughts...
Peace!!!
This guy was fooled and he needs to admit it. The RNC is not on his side here.
If snitches have itches, and bi'tches have nitches,
can horses at hitches have gitches ot twitches ?
Or witches have itches or twitches ?
Republicans are turds and need to be flushed!
Don't be a hater, like the liberal who killed the Sikhs .
It wasn't a liberal, it was some dumb redneck bible thumper.
"the liberal who killed the Sikhs" See, you can't talk to these goofballs. They live in a fantasy world.
Dude! just say the prayer and leave in a hurry, trust me on this one.
If Romney really wants to rack up some votes then he should invite a representative from all religions to ask for peace and respect. Be fair.
Not a fan of religion, but I do have to admire the Sikhs – the men"s beards are just sooooo beardy.
STICK YOUR PRAYER UP YOUR TURBAN – We neither want or need your prayer nor do we need you here in the USA!
Atheists hate everyone.
Really disappointed with your comment. As a Sikh who grew up in America, I never thought we would be the target of such hate. Just so you know, Sikh's are mostly from Northern India, and have a bad history with Muslims since the beginning of time. NOT THAT ALL MUSLIMS ARE BAD. Before you post your ignorant comments, use the internet for some knowledge, instead of posting hate filled comments from behind your computer.
Not true, Bonk. I admire the Sikhs and I am an atheist. I think the OP is a poser.
Stick it! You are the reason why there is hatred and intolerance in the USA. Remember, we are a country of immigrants, unless you are an American Indian. Immigrants built this country. Remember that.
Another liberal hater, leave our country and go somewhere that accepts your ideology
Bonk – not true. We don't hate these people. Pity would be a more correct adjective. We hate and have no tolerance for any idea that causes divisiveness, bigotry and all kind of (ir)rationalized evil and heinous behavior – all in the name of 'god'. Want to believe in your fairy tales? Feel free to. Just KEEP THEM TO YOURSELVES. Of course, that NEVER happens, which returns us to our previous sentiment. It's a vicious circle really. You guys keep preaching your BS, we keep ridiculing you. Selective reality is no way to go through life, man.
They look like us but people still call Sikh "a religion of Peace". Being Muslim, it just pis.ses me off!!
Bonk, yer nuts. I don't hate anyone; I'm no christian. Stick, these guys have sworn to God to carry a knife at all times in case they are attacked by Muslims. They are on your side, really.
You're all praying to ancient aliens anyway. Read the bible, the torah, the Koron, or however it's spelled, the Mahabharata or any of those. Who does it feature? Aliens in space crafts! Explain that to your god.
Remarkable that he is a Sikh but you still dont know the Sikh text, the Guru Granth Sahib. Read it, and find the 'aliens'
I didn't find any 'aliens' either.
Dear SSS,
I don't think this dude is a SIkh. Maybe an atheist. He's quite a zealous one though. He probably doesn't even know how to spell ri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
No, I was actually making a joke. But more importantly, I was specifically talking about the items I mentioned. But hey, thanks for playing.
And no, I'm not atheist. I believe in god, just not your god.
Sam Yaza, you are a hypocrite..supposedly against hate yet you preach hatred toward GOD , Christians and such...You are racist...and the very example of intolerance that shows up in all religions..SHAME ON YOU...
what they worship they god of hatred,.. i came up with that conclusion regardless of my religion actually not many Shintoist or pagans agree with me on that,.. i just see you all following Orochi, and it was your actions that lead me to that conclusion
what Christians teach
Love, prosperity, kindness toward others
what they do
hate, destroy, and kill
its a deception
a judge based off the fruit that they bare and Christians bare bad fruit {fact} no matter how many virgins we sacrifice to you the sun will not come back. i know who your god is now Yahweh=Demiurge=Allah=Jehovah=Orochi=the Deceiver=Samuel=The Devil just because Moses trusted the first spirit he encounter does not mean i will,.. look what the price was payed for his power and the liberation of his people,.. all the first born in Egypt,.. and even his own life your god is Evil incarnate, jesus was describing himself when he talked about the devil get over it
Word is the Obamas have been seen over at the Piggly Wiggly gathering up packing boxes for their upcoming move. Romney/ Ryan 2012
@Ronald Regonzo
I am not asking you to like Obama, but why in the world would you want Romney in the White House? Why??
Hey Ronald, if there's a secessionist movement in your state you might want to join it. This country, the way we're heading, just isn't for you.
That's why we need the changes Romney brings to the country, a restoration of moral decency. No more atheism, no more abortion, no more keeping God out of our schools, no more ho mo marriage, no more booze, no more coffee no more libs appointed to the Supreme Court. Just a God fearing God honoring nation like it was in the glory days. I hope Romney rides a white horse down Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day ! Romney / Ryan 2012
@Ronald Regonzo
That's why we need the changes Obama brings to the country, a restoration of moral decency. No more evangelical nonsense, no more anti-abortion, no more puting God in our schools, no more Gay bashing, legalization of pot, more libs appointed to the Supreme Court. Just a secular, free nation like it was in the glory days. I hope Obama gets the recognition he deserves in the history books. Obama 2012
Please beat yourself to death with your bible and go meet Jesus and let the rest of us carry on with our lives.
I hope Obama gets a one way ticket back to Chicago, Kenya. America works best when America works for God, Always has Always will. Romney / Ryan 2012 – Change that will be REAL change
@marine5484
Best read up on your own Bible, the info will be very useful after November. Romney / Ryan 2012
Gee, Regonzo, "your" country sounds like a barrel of laughs. You do know we are not and will NEVER be a Theocracy, right? If you want that sort of gov't, I suggest trying Iran.
Btw, what does COFFEE have to do with anything? hahahahaha
Do you think god cares if people drink COFFEE?
Moral decency...Mitt lies like it's his JOB.
Regonzo is an idiot troll that wanders in here sometimes. Ignore this fool. School starts again soon and he'll be too busy failing classes and working part time at his McJob.
", a restoration of moral decency. No more atheism," Right, because he will be forcing us all to become Mormons? Come on, Mitt would be the least effective president since Dubya, controlled by his VP and unable to get anything done. He'd be a waste of our time.
Jesus SAVES!
Weiss hits the rebound and scores!
Panthers win in OT!
Prayer changes things .
So does snorting a kilo of coke. What's your point?
Little slow on the comprehension there guile...
Please don't encourage him.
There's 3 words. Not a lot to comprehend. But I think I can manage. Thanks pal.
@guile...
So you actually got the point? Then why did you ask?
Hi prayerbot.
If prayer changes things and religion is so good then why does religion separate people and create more problems than good. There has been more killing and hatred involved with religions since religion evolved. Look at the middle east ,,,, the city of Jeruselam is divided and the people of Israel are always under attack. If there were a God then he would surely not want people to act this way. Man made God ,,, not the other way around.
More people have been brutally tortured and murdered by atheists in the last 100 years than were killed in all previous centuries
Comprehending something and finding a point in something are two entirely different tasks. But keep praying, and I'm going to read my book and advance my education.
Guys. This person is a troll who posts the same exact nonsense in every religion thread. Ignore it and maybe it will go away.
Re: Prayer changes things
Two boxers getting ready for a 12 rounds bout. They both prayed thier best prayers. Who do you think will win?.......for sure the stronger and more skillful one!!
Has it changed your diaper yet?
The RNC is just trying to look tolerant and open minded. I hope this latest scheme backfires on you.
Hey jd kiss the r ag head vote good bye Romney / Ryan 2012
Wow, Regonzo. Do you consider yourself to be a Christian? Your comment is anything but Christ like.
Religion is done.
If you are holding onto your myths, fine, but the world necessarily must move forward without your childish dogma.
Humans are not long for this world and atheists would like to live out our lives in reality rather than fantasy.
Unfortunately, religious people feel the need to impose their idiocy on everyone which makes it difficult to live freely where laws and politics are concerned.
Give it a rest please. Worship as you will but keep us out of it please. Secular nation, separation of church and state. That is all we ask.
We consider this an urgent matter which is why we will continue to fight your foolishness tooth and nail, every day, every way.
some religious folk,.. i can care less what you believe,.. we pagans a re cool like that
To be pagan, is not a "Cool" factor..it is just a factor..and just because you believe in demons doesn't mean you do not preach hatred, separation –
hypocrite. Most religious people prefer to practice their faith without people like you spewing hate at them for what they believe in. Obviously you do not believe in a higher power, clearly no one has forced it on you. Stop trying to force your beliefs on others.
@dp
Wow, clueless.
Oh please do explain...
@dp
hypocrite. – WHY?
Most religious people prefer to practice their faith without people like you spewing hate at them for what they believe in. – ARE YOU REFERRING TO THIS BLOG? GO PRACTICE YOUR FAITH, I DON'T CARE. DID YOU EVEN READ MY POST?
Obviously you do not believe in a higher power, clearly no one has forced it on you. Stop trying to force your beliefs on others.-HOW AM I FORCING MY BELIEFS ON OTHERS? DID YOU EVEN READ MY POST?
You care enough to write things such as "holding onto your myths", "your childish dogma", "reality rather than fantasy". Those words themselves are hateful. Believe what you want, I don't care and frankly 99% of other people don't either. Just as you said you don't care what others believe in. But what religious people believe is in no way any of the things you called it, especially to those that believe in it. You are in no way better than those that believe in a God, so don't act as such by using words to belittle their beliefs.
@dp
Depends on how you define "better". If you mean more intelligent, then I am most definately better. And if you define my true statements as "hate" then I am most definately a hater.
Thank you for kindly proving what I was trying to prove all on your own. I can tell you are a very smart person.
dp, how much prep time does it take you to be that clueless?
"My prayer will be an opportunity to share the spirit of the Sikh faith with the American people. The tenets of Sikhism – humility, equality, and justice – lie at the heart of the American ethic."
Well, if there's a portion of the American population that desperately needs to be reminded of things like humility, equality and justice....it's conservatives.
When asking the question, "Why am I writing this for the RNC" truly the answer is that you're trying to appeal to voters you think are on the fence. You don't have to have speeches by the NRA or Right to Life because that's preaching to the choir. You want to give the impression you're knowledgable and tolerant so you give the stage to someone who you think is on that fringe and is topical for news coverage. That's all.
Why are you trying to justify it afterwards as something good for other Sikhs? Your temple was just shot up by a Republican who hated your for your differences. Getting them elected is not safe.
Sikhism, Budhism and Jainism are part of a Hinduism. They all are born from Hinduism.
I guess in the same way that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all the same.
That is like saying baptist are Catholics because they were born from the catholic church. Sikhism is a splinter group similar, but distinct from the original faith.
Sikhi is a completely independent religion, free and separate from the philosophy of Hinduism and Islam. Get your facts right. Do you have any doctrinal evidence for this ludicrous statement?
my hindu friend says the original band of sikhs were raised from among hindus to specifically fight to defend hindu civilization from invading muslim huns.
Sikhs are anti-Muslim. Look it up.
According to your logic then Christianity is part of Judaism. May I suggest you think before you post this nonesense. I understand that hindus, for some reason, want to claim Sikhism as their own but please find pride in yourselves and leave Sikhs alone. Really, do you mind doing that?
Bless me
Fine but if you get it in my hair again I'm going to be p!ssed...OH you said bless.
@God,
Antihistamines are often helpful for those pesky sneezes.
peace brother Sikhs, blessed be,... but for the rest of these christian duchbags, our persecutes,.. i wish i can be as forgiving as you but they are monsters and deserve only the greatest hell possible, it is my job to root out hate(Orochi) in this world. and they worship him. as long as they worship the god of hatred, deception and destruction, they are guilty. if we want a world were we protect creation and respect one another we must get rid of them, they serve the enemy,. they are a cancer to the world, there are killing her
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sst7DmVsqkw
bow wow wolf