MODERN CULTURAL ISSUES
Q: How do Sikh concepts blend in with capitalism concepts?
Capitalism is a dominant concept in modern society. Its practice has allowed generations of great material wealth. The principles of Capitalism...grounded in access to markets by providers of goods and services, and continuous reinvestment of profits to improve business...are now practiced worldwide. Countless people have benefited from Capitalism. The individual and society both benefit from the outcome.

The Sikh Gurus were themselves involved in various trades and greatly encouraged Sikhs to participate in trade. Sikh Gurus also took personal stands against unjust taxation and laws that limited participation in certain trades to people based on religion or caste. However, the limitations of Capitalism are not hard to see...intuitively and mathematically.

Capitalsim depends upon continuous growth and expansion. This growth is the growth of material wealth...goods produced, services created, etc. If an individual is to participate in such a principle he or she will have to spend more and more time and energy to thrive within a capitalist organization. Other wealths such as social wealth and spiritual wealth have to be made secondary.

Participating actively in Capitalism and generating wealth without becoming addicted to the wealth, since it is only a for decent living... seems to be in harmony with the Sikh philosophy. Instead of growing our wants and needs to our increased wealth, if we control our desires eventually we can decrease the effort needed to make enough money to live on. This would leave greater time to pursue spiritual wealth. Thus capitalism would be merely a stepping stone to a higher wealth.

Q: How does one reconcile the concept of grace and rational thinking in Sikhism?
In the opening page of the Guru Granath Sahib Guru Nanak says, "Through thinking alone It (Truth) is not revealed, even if one thinks a hundred thousand times." He also declares that without intellect there is no True Path. Truth is revealed when one lets go of ego and plunges ahead with no sense of self. However the treasure that is brought back must be tested with an intelligent mind and not accepted in ignorance. It is like a fisherman who casts his net on faith and pulls the catch in. But then he has to use his intelligence to discard the garbage which he may have pulled in. Thus grace and intelligence go hand in hand in Sikhism. Everything that the Gurus present us can be experienced even though it may not be a direct outcome of mere rational thinking. In particular the Sikh faith is totally compatible with the scientific method.