Social Justice in Sikhism and Christianity: Then and Now

Social workers are charged with challenging social injustice and pursuing social change, particularly during divisive and conflictual times, and just as social work has often been at the forefront of conversation during these times, so too has faith and religion. In this article, two social work faculty members engage in interfaith dialogue of Christianity and Sikhism to explore social justice, moral responsibility, and community-based approaches to peacebuilding. The article highlights how each faith tradition’s theological commitments (e.g., Christian emphases on agape, liberation, and restorative justice and Sikh principles of seva (selfless service), sarbat da bhala (the welfare of all) and Sant Sipahi (courageous resistance to oppression) shape distinctive yet complementary approaches to justice-oriented action. By examining the convergence and divergence between Christian and Sikh perspectives, the authors contribute to broader conversations on peacebuilding, pluralism, and ethics across diverse faith communities. Through an exploratory framework emphasizing mutual inquiry, the dialogue reveals shared values such as dignity, compassion, and the pursuit of equitable social structures, while also highlighting the unique contributions each faith brings to contemporary social justice movements and social work practice. Finally, the article demonstrates how interfaith engagement can expand practitioners’ understanding of justice by offering alternative moral languages, practices, and modes of activism. Thus, it identifies the potential of interfaith partnerships for addressing systemic inequities and conflict, countering religious polarization, and cultivating sustainable models of peace grounded in solidarity.