The Saint-Soldier: What Humanists Can Learn from the Sikh Tradition

A number of religious traditions consider the world to be illusory in some way, encouraging individuals to detach themselves from their surroundings or await a more perfect world after death. The Sikh tradition largely takes a different approach, encouraging Sikhs to be balanced and engaged on all levels, including the spiritual, social, physical, and political. Scholar and activist Simran Jeet Singh will offer an opportunity to learn more about Sikhism, exploring how this worldview impacts the ways in which Sikhs live their lives and interact with the world around them. This discussion will also touch on how the Sikh tradition reconciles diversity and embraces pluralism, two key features for building healthy communities in our modern world.

Simran Jeet Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Trinity University and Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition. He earned his PhD from the Department of Religion at Columbia University, a Masters degree from Harvard University, and his Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University. He currently serves as a Truman National Security Fellow, and speaks and writes frequently on issues relating to religion and culture.

We invite you to join us for Humanist Haven, a gathering for atheists, agnostics, searchers, the nonreligious, the unaffiliated, believers, or anyone interested in exploring human-centered ethics. Hosted by the Yale Humanist Community, we are open to the public and welcoming to all—no matter how you identify.

All Humanist Haven meetings feature a thought-provoking guest speaker and take place on the first and third Sundays of the month at 1 PM at The Grove—760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT—unless otherwise noted. Metered street parking is free in downtown New Haven on Sundays, but please email and let us know if you’re interested in learning more about discounted lot or garage options.