Can unbaptized Sikhs be considered genuine practitioners of the Sikh faith, especially when living away from a gurdwara and community support, without facing opposition or disrespect from the Sikh community?

Respected Prince ji,
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

In response to your question, the undersigned wants to say that there is no ceremony called ‘baptism’ in Sikhi. It is taking ‘Pahul’ from Five Beloved Ones (ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਲੈਣਾ), which is termed as ‘Amrit Sanskar’ in ‘Sikh Rehat Maryada’ (ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਵਿਚ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ).

One can maintain Sikhi appearance (Saroop) throughout life and not take Pahul because it is a matter of choice.

Now coming to the question why it is necessary to take Pahul?

The practice of giving Pahul was started by Tenth Guru Person, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, on the Vaisakhi day of 1699, to prepare a disciplined force of ‘Sant Sipahis (ਸੰਤ ਸਿਪਾਹੀ)’, so as to fight against all kind of oppression/tyranny/persecution/atrocity/cruelty.This disciplined force of Sant Sipahis came to be known as Khalsa i.e. Akalpurakh’s own, who rose above the fright of death and fought all kind of oppression/tyranny/persecution/atrocity/cruelty in the past and continue to do so.

The Sikh, who is a ‘seeker of truth’ and is a student, becomes complete only by having ‘Baani’ as also ‘Baana’. In the absence of any one, he is incomplete.

Therefore, the Sikh has to imbibe the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, on one hand and on the other hand has to rise above the fright of death, take Pahul and become a Khalsa i.e. Akalpurakh’s own. Perhaps, you would be aware that Khalsa is a Persian word, which means King’s own land.

Once the Sikh becomes a Khalsa i.e. Akalpurakh’s own then he will be expected, not to do anything which will lead to his spiritual death. In other words, the Sikh has to live a disciplined life, as per the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib.

So, as understood by the undersigned, as per the Gurbani, not dying a spiritual death is what the immortality is. This is what the Sahibzadas and other martyrs achieved, by laying down their lives but by not dying spiritual death. Therefore, they became immortal for all times to come (ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਅਮਰ‌ ਹੋ ਗਏ).

Now it is upto a person to maintain a Sikhi appearance (Saroop) and remain like that throughout life (i.e. remain incomplete) or take Pahul, become a Khalsa, live a disciplined life, get rid of vices, become a righteous/virtuous person, remain one with Akalpurakh and Shabad Guru, who are spiritually embodiment of each other, achieve the stage of spiritual equipoise (ਆਤਮਿਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ) and spiritual bliss (ਆਤਮਿਕ ਆਨੰਦ)and finally achieve emancipation/ salvation in this life itself (ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਾ).

Hope it helps. If you have any further questions, please do ask. If you find any deficiencies, please point out the same, for improvement in future.

Regards,
Your Brother