chinese is not a language..

.....besides isn't it suppose to symbolize that you are baptized(for lack of a better word) sikh or something

stupid useless thread anyways...as obivously,,,, govnments in many countries have done more research (than some dumbasses posting on this thread) about this and letting people wear it for religious reason.

True form? In a very real physical sense, the Kirpan is indeed a weapon. What exactly would you classify an iron blade say 9 inches long as? A paper cutter? (Also considered a weapon, by the way.)

I mean I fully understand that most observant Sikhs don't consider it a weapon, but as a religious sacrament. That being said, even a dull hunting knife, is still a hunting knife, and considered a weapon even if it's not sharp. While I'm not particularly religious myself, I personally have no problems with Sikhs carrying a Kirpan, however to create a safer environment I would propose that for events like the Olympics or in situations where carrying a kirpan is questioned, that there must be some form of compromise. Like what 7seven said, there are areas of the world where kirpans are carried while being riveted into their sheath, greatly reducing the risk that it could be used by them, OR by someone else, against them.

From the reading I’ve done, it seems like it is mostly an idea. A reminder of several different teachings. But certainly it also seems to play the role of “defensive” weapon, to protect ones self or others from violence in some of the stuff I read. Its all off the internets, so who knows what’s real and what’s not. I’m not a Sikh, so I have no idea.

The point is, its still a knife. No matter what its function to a Sikh is.

I understand that the Sikhs don’t necessarily view it as a weapon (even though it is, kind of like saying a gun isn’t a gun unless someone shooting it). But is IS a knife, and that’s the issue. The potential for it to be used as a weapon is much greater than other religious objects. Trying to Shank someone with a Jewish kippa probably wont do much good.

I dont have a problem with sikhs carrying the knife. But I do think there should be some kind of restrictions like the knife has to be dull or it has to be sheathed.

To ensure the screening process runs smoothly, the new guidelines require anyone wearing a kirpan to inform security personnel prior to being screened at venues, and to meet the following stipulations:

1) All articles of faith must be worn.
2) The maximum TOTAL length of the kirpan, including the sheath may not exceed 7.5 inches with a blade of not more than four inches and a handle of two inches or less.
3) The kirpan must be worn in keeping with Sikh traditions including being secured into its sheath, attached to a fabric belt and worn across the torso.
4) The kirpan must be worn under clothing and not easily accessible.
If these stipulations are not met, the V2010 ISU reserves the right to refuse admittance.

Now that sounds pretty logical.

get over it...nothing is going to happen. If you are so scared and think you are gonna be stabbed to death or the whole olympics stopped because of "terrorism" with a small kirpan then you shouldnt leave your house ever. Stay inside and watch it on TV.

I think the Olympics commitee has thought this through and there are already stipulations in place to ensure that people that are "non-religious" dont take advantage of the rules.

There is enough security there that even if somehow the kirpan is used (which it will not) the person would be stopped. You guys complaining are acting like one kirpan can kill a whole bunch of people like a gun can.

Get a life. This is Canada and this is why Canada is a great place to live - multiculturalism. Not like the States - although we still have some ignorant people around - thats for sure.

I remember this being an issue reguarding public schools back when I was in high school over a decade ago. I'm reading here the very same arguments for and against. In high school I was against the decision to allow them to wear the kirpan in schools largely because I was ignorant of the Sikh religion, the use of the kirpan, and immediately saw kirpan = knife = weapon. I never even made that connection with the pocket knife I had attatched to my keychain that I brought to school everyday. Some years of growing up, educating myself, and getting to know a few practicing Sikhs has helped changed my stance on the issue.

This makes sense, and is exactly what is needed. I believe it would be a shame if they weren't allowed to wear it, as it's importantance is parallel to that of wearing a Kippah if you are Jewish.

Sorry but Kippah been around for thousands of years. Kirpan a couple of hundred years.

you people are fucked up. theres a million other things you should be more concerned about than a kirpan. i could do more damage throwing a rock than a kirpan could do.

Probably wouldn't let you bring a rock to olympic events either

There has to be rocks on the ground that could be thrown. Or atleast a snowball
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and security would probably be on yours ass if they saw you carrying one around.

Maybe he can pass it off as his pet rock???
http://z.about.com/d/familycrafts/1/...2/petrock6.jpg

I haven't had a pet rock since I was 10!

Genius!

What's that got to do with its importance? A religion is a religion. That's all. It has been practiced for over 300 years. Is the cross irrelevant in this case because Christianity is not as old as Judaism?

I believe it's one of the attributes why there are disagreements with this issue. Other attributes include the the magnitude of people from different nationalities and ethnicity that follow this religion. In western society, religions that have an ethnic majority base are scrutinized more so.

Consider that there were 9 Gurus before who did not think it was necessary for everyone to carry a knife. Can nobody see that it was a policy that was implemented for practical reasons as the sikhs were under constant attack?

300 years ago steam engines were invented, electricity was being investigated and people had long been shooting each other with guns. That's just too late to still be making claims of mysticism.

What if tomorrow a Muslim leader says that every muslim should carry a loaded AK for self defense and the defense of innocent people? In the future do we have to respect their religious rights to carry AKs to olympic events?

Haha, it must be the Surrey in you.

1. People in contention are not asserting the Kirpan to be a weapon of mass destruction. The argument is-why has a select group of people been given the right to carry such a weapon while everyone else is bared from doing so. It's not like its a staff, its a deadly weapon. Since a subset of society has been given this right, then it is only fair that I or any other citizen should have the "right" to carry our own "sacred" weapons by merely claiming it to be in "our beliefs" to do so. :rolleyes:

2. How are the security guards going identify the "religious" from those who are in-disguise (possibly with the intention to harm)? By asking them? By giving them a questionnaire? And aren't the terrorists the "most religious" ones? LOL

3. Millions of people will be watching the games. You seriously believe that there's going to be "enough security" to watch over every single person at the venues? Its pretty easy to think of a scenario in which a confrontation takes place involving someone with a kirpan or someone taking the kirpan from some-other-person and severely injuring several people before security reaches them-if at all.

4. The ignorant person is you. Multiculturalism does not mean blind acceptance. Multiculturalism works only if its within the confines of the Canadian context, otherwise you get anarchy. Cultures around the world still routinely burn brides to death as a legitimate form of divorce. There are cultures that mutilate girls' vagina's to keep them from "indecency." According to your logic, we should turn a blind eye to such crimes if they were to occur in Canada because "it's multicultural time baby and you're ignorant if you think otherwise."

:D

Hey, I saw this happen when I was in gr 8. Was his name Mandeep and at a school in North Delta?

calm down...

wow. i always knew there were dumb fucks on this website. but this is on a whole new level. how may sikhs wearing kirpans do you actually think will attend these games. sikhs that wear kirpans are a small minority of a minority. lol. u morons are acting like these guys are gonna be everywhere u go. honestly. nobody i can think of in my family wears one. none of my friends parents wear one. this is such a non issue that i dont even know why its news.

If so few Sihks wear one, then why is it so important that our society should go out of it's way to cater to those few that do?