Religion and Science

The Gurus have no concept of ‘science’ as an independent area of enquiry. The aim of a Sikh life is to be a ‘sachiara’ – truthful or real or authentic – in every area of life.

Sikhs consider that both science and religion are enterprises to do with seeking the truth. The word ‘Sikh’ is etymologically linked to with ‘seeker’ of truth.

Sikhs feel that religious experience cannot be explained as language cannot ‘capture’ The One.

Sikhs consider that both science and religion are engaged in the same process; that is, discovering the truth.

There are similarities in some fundamental Sikh beliefs, for instance, that all life has evolved from water. “O Nanak, this world is all water; everything came from water” (Guru Granth Sahib: 1283).

One could argue that life derived from carbon found in rocks and/or exists deep inside rocks: “From rocks and stones He created living beings; He places their nourishment before them” (Guru Granth Sahib: 10).

On the other hand, there are some ideas yet to be confirmed by science. There is a clear idea that there are limitless worlds and that the One can be approached in many different ways. Therefore, there are saints of other worlds – in other worlds, intelligent and indeed religious life on other planets. Speaking of the Court of the One, “The devotees of many worlds dwell there. They celebrate; their minds are imbued with the True Lord” (Guru Granth Sahib: 8).