Hi Emanuel,
What a well written objective post,
the sikh kirpan does indeed comprise of a usable blade (dagger for those that do not know) its name kirpan is separated into two words kirpa (selfless service) and aan (honour it is not entirley ceremonial.
however, sikhs have peacefully co-inhabited europe for so many years i believe it is unfair to impose such limitations all of a sudden.
sikhism is a philosophy rather than a religion and for a baptised sikh the kirpan is an extension of his/her arm. Strange that a religious pious man would scare one more than a police officer with a gun (airports etc)
the closest analogy of sikhs i can think of are the samurai.
We only fear that of which we do not know i believe education is the key
