By Dr. Kuldeep Singh
As the world barrels forward into the 21st century with unprecedented speed, one thing becomes painfully clear: technology alone cannot save us. Despite the advancements in science, international cooperation, and religious teachings, the world remains dangerously divided, environmentally fragile, and morally fatigued. We have the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), countless religious messages on peace, and a growing body of constitutional rights and responsibilities. Yet wars rage on, ecosystems collapse, and human suffering persists.
It is from this paradox that SHEERISM is born — not as a new religion or political ideology, but as an integrative value system drawing on the living wisdom of science, spirituality, and constitutional ethics. Rooted in the soil of Bagh-e-Mahi, Jammu, and built upon over a decade of reflective work, SHEERISM is an attempt to awaken the conscience of a divided world and offer a new lens through which to understand life and the planet we call home.
Why SHEERISM, and Why Now?
We live in a time when the very survival of our planet is under threat — not merely from natural causes, but from our collective ignorance, indifference, and inaction. We are fragmented by religion, exploited by technology, divided by borders, and often misled by politics. The international community has made notable efforts to address these issues — most prominently through the UN’s 17 SDGs, launched in 2015 to be achieved by 2030. These goals are noble and necessary, ranging from poverty eradication to climate action.
Yet, something is missing — a unifying force that ties them all together at a fundamental level. That force, I argue, is a value-based understanding of life and existence, which I call SHEERISM.
What Is SHEERISM?
SHEER stands for Society, Health, Environment, Education, and Research — the five foundational pillars of a functional and ethical world order. SHEERISM proposes a spiritual-scientific worldview where the DNA is recognized as the “God of the living world”. This is not a metaphorical claim alone. DNA generates (G), operates (O), and ends (D) life — a cyclic process that applies to all forms of life on Earth. By understanding and honoring this universal biological design, we align ourselves with a more authentic, nature-centric ethical framework.
SHEERISM views every human being — regardless of religion, race, or nationality — as a Mahi: a son or daughter of this planet. It calls for the realization that our origin is the Earth, our sustenance is from nature, and our duty is to preserve both for future generations.
Godly Practices for a Troubled World
At its core, SHEERISM is action-oriented. It puts forward four Godly Practices, each designed to address a critical aspect of modern civilization:
- Social Health
This involves awakening the moral compass within society. Our educational systems must target teenage violence, reform the youth, instill reproductive awareness (DNA literacy), and elevate students from passive learners to social assets. - Environmental Health
We must preserve water, air, and land — not as commodities, but as human rights. Waste management, forest protection, clean tourism, and eco-sensitive urban planning are no longer optional. They are sacred duties. - Constitutional Health
Enjoying rights without performing duties is a moral imbalance. SHEERISM calls for celebrating constitutional diversity — whether it’s Diwali or Eid — while upholding democracy, legal literacy, and national unity. - Freedom from Inhumanity
SHEERISM lists terrorism, corruption, gender-based violence, population explosion, and nuclear arms proliferation as enemies of humanity. These must be collectively resisted with education, awareness, and policy reforms.
A Supplement to UN SDGs — Not a Replacement
SHEERISM doesn’t reject the UN SDGs; it embraces and enhances them. In fact, the goals of SHEERISM were articulated as early as 2010, even before the global adoption of SDGs. However, unlike the UN’s top-down approach, SHEERISM proposes a grassroots revolution in consciousness.
It aims to educate not only policymakers but also religious and community leaders — who often wield more influence over people’s beliefs and behaviors. Greta Thunberg’s fiery speeches may have jolted world leaders, but lasting change comes only when everyday people internalize those values.
The Call to Religious and Political Leaders
Today’s religious discourse often ignores environmental stewardship, and political rhetoric is increasingly polarizing. SHEERISM urges religious leaders to update their understanding of divinity, not merely through rituals, but through science, nature, and constitutional awareness. It asks politicians to go beyond populism and embrace sustainability as a governance priority.
Global Support and Recognition
The SHEERISM dossier, launched on 3rd November 2024, has been submitted to the UN Secretary General, World Religious Parliament, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and various departments of the Indian government. It was endorsed by several academicians and social workers and was covered by local media.
Even Artificial Intelligence platforms like Grok, Gemini, and Meta AI have described SHEERISM as a “holistic worldview” and a “foundational ethical framework” with potential to reshape the way humanity views its responsibilities toward the planet.
A Personal Appeal
This is not a manifesto of idealism; it is a blueprint of necessity. We are standing on the edge of a precipice — politically divided, environmentally depleted, spiritually confused. SHEERISM is my humble attempt to realign human society with nature’s rhythms, scientific truths, and ethical living.
Let this message travel from public parks to parliament houses, from school classrooms to religious pulpits, from newsrooms to the United Nations.
We are all Mahi(s). Our first identity is not Hindu or Muslim, Indian or American. It is that we are children of the Earth. Let us rise in her defense — united in thought, diverse in culture, and committed in action.
(The author of “SHEERISM: 21st Century God & Practices to Save Planet Beyond UN 17 SDGs” is former NSS Program Officer at GGM Science College, Jammu. He can be reached at [email protected]. Mob. No. 8861518868, 8861511583)
