Welfare of an Entire Creation

"Welfare of an entire creation" is not just a spiritual ideal in Sikhism; it is a lived practice expressed through everyday acts of service, altruism, and civic engagement.

In this groundbreaking study, sociologist Navkiran Pal Kaur explores how Sikh faith, philosophy, and history shape real-world civic behavior among Sikh immigrants in the United States. Drawing on both quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews conducted over more than a decade, the book examines how religious belief translates into volunteering, community service, and public-minded action among second-generation Sikhs.

Beginning with the author's own intellectual and spiritual journey into the sociology of religion, the book situates Sikhism alongside classical sociological theory, engaging with thinkers such as Durkheim, Weber, and Marx while highlighting what is distinctive about Sikh teachings on altruism and social responsibility. The core chapters follow Sikh youth and young adults through formal and informal volunteering, gurdwara-based service, and their evolving civic identities as immigrants and global citizens.

Through rich narratives, longitudinal follow-up interviews, and careful comparative analysis, the author asks whether religiously inspired civic acts can be understood as peacebuilding in a globalizing world. The result is a nuanced account of how faith-based practices contribute to diversity, interfaith dialogue, and efforts toward a more just and peaceful society.

Publisher: BookFuel