Replies

Sikhs believe in the principle of non-violence.

Interestingly, their interpretation of it requires all Sikhs, or at least all male Sikhs (not sure), to be armed at all times. Though this means carrying a sword or dagger (kirpan), which in today’s world often means a sword or dagger shaped pin.

That way, if somebody attempts to use violence on innocent people, the Sikh can stop him.

Which is a POV on non-violence I can agree with.

Historically, this POV evolved after many decades of the Sikhs trying to implement the more traditional Gandhian version of non-violence despite Muslim persecution.

Sikhs also wear “magic underwear” (Kachhera), much like devout Mormons, and for much the same reason. Doubt anybody is going to be making fun of them for it, though.

At least if a functional kirpan is around.

Sikhs also wear “magic underwear” (Kachhera), much like devout Mormons, and for much the same reason. Doubt anybody is going to be making fun of them for it, though.

No, it is not magical. My company's India office has many Sikhs and I am very familiar with their "rules"

The sikhs have an order called the "Khalsa". This is the highest a Sikh can aspire to be. Traditionally "Sikh" and "Khalsa" are used interchangeably but they are not the same.

Khalsas are held to the strict standard of carrying a sword and wearing a turban and also three other rules: namely, wearing underwear, having a comb and wearing a steel bracelet.

The reason for those things is purely military. As the Khalsa order was fighting the Muslims, the last Sikh guru wanted to instill discipline in the order by making them have a "uniform". By asking all Khalsas to wear Turbans and have long beards, he made them recognizable for the order that they were. In addition he imposed "cleanliness" rules that asked men to wash daily, comb and maintain their hair and wear clean clothes.

Thus the "underwear" rule. It enforces cleanliness and bathing in a continent and age (17th century) where people had neither. Khalsas will bathe (especially in the countryside) at freaking 5 AM in the morning with ice cold HImalayan water. It is unbelievable to watch. Many of their historic churches (gurdwaras) also have communal bathing areas. Everytime you visit their churches in Punjab, you have to wash your feet and hands. Lots of washing going on :)

So, no "Magic Undewear". Just has to be underwear and clean, even if it is Fruit of the Loom and you should have bathed before you put it on.