The article first appeared in Scroll.in on Dec 15, 2024.
The Disciples of Truth represent a fascinating chapter in the history of religious experimentation and cultural interaction in the United States. Their story begins in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1955, when Homer Bradshaw, a middle-aged spiritual seeker, began hosting weekly meetings at his home to study world religions. Bradshaw, a thin, bespectacled man with a deep curiosity about spirituality, led the group through an exploration of various faiths in chronological order.
By 1956, the group had arrived at Sikhism, the youngest of the major world religions. The teachings of Sikhism, with its emphasis on equality, devotion, and community service, struck a chord with the Disciples of Truth. They declared it “the most complete revelation from God” and became fervently interested in learning more about the faith. However, their access to authentic Sikh teachings and practitioners was limited. At the time, the Sikh population in the United States was small, mostly concentrated in agricultural hubs along the West Coast.
Determined to deepen their understanding, the group sought out Sikhs who could guide them. Their interest coincided with a period when Sikh communities were beginning to establish roots in the U.S., including the construction of gurdwaras. Today, Tulsa has a vibrant Sikh community, with a gurdwara located about 20 kilometers from where the Disciples of Truth first met. This gurdwara, like many across the U.S., was built through the collective efforts of local Punjabi Sikhs, who fundraised and volunteered their time to create a space for worship and community gatherings.
The Disciples of Truth’s journey into Sikhism marked the first significant mass Sikh conversion of Americans to the religion. However, their story took a controversial turn in the decades that followed. What began as a spiritual quest later became intertwined with a vast illegal operation involving fraudulent academic degrees. This unexpected twist highlighted the complexities of cultural exchange and the risks of misunderstanding or misappropriating religious traditions.
After years of meticulous research through newspapers, government records, and archival documents, the full story of the Disciples of Truth is emerging for the first time. It reveals a tumultuous tale of spiritual exploration, cultural naivety, and eventual exploitation—a reminder of both the promise and pitfalls of cross-cultural engagement…
Read More: Scroll.in
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