I often find myself reflecting on conversations that challenge the very foundations of morality. One such exchange was with my friend Dr. Shetty, where we questioned whether the system of sin and virtue is truly universal — or merely a construct shaped by human convenience.
He began with a provocative thought: "Sir, the whole idea of sin and virtue — humans made that up, right? Therefore, self-interest must be involved in it somewhere."
His words immediately resonated with me. I recalled how blurred the lines really are. If one were to mix human flesh with animal flesh, it would be nearly impossible to tell them apart. And yet, the way we treat the two could not be more different. During human festivities, animals are slaughtered, their dead bodies turned into feasts. But when a human dies, grief floods the family; mourning rituals begin, and the death is treated as sacred. This stark contrast is not biological — it is the result of rules we have created for ourselves.
The question naturally followed: is the system of sin and virtue truly valid, or is it merely a social construct? I told him, perhaps it had been both. But one thing is undeniable—compassion and respect can transform the way life, and death, are experienced.
I added further. "Why not look at everyone the same way—whether human or animal?" To me, that is the essence of real humanity. Seeing equality in all living beings. Yet, our societies rarely reflect this principle. What is celebrated as a virtue in one culture is condemned as sin in another. Eating meat, for instance, is casually accepted in many parts of the world but condemned in others. If sin and virtue truly came directly from God, wouldn’t the rules be identical everywhere?
That line of questioning opens a deeper truth — sin and virtue are often shaped not by divine command, but by cultural conditioning and human self-interest. Many of the religious systems we follow are structured as systems of control: Don't do this, or else it’s a sin. Do this, and you will earn virtue. Fear and greed become the levers that manipulate society.
But then I ask myself—if a person performs a good deed merely out of greed for virtue, is that truly noble? Can an act done to avoid punishment or to gain heavenly rewards really count as virtue? I believe real virtue comes only from actions free of fear and greed—where compassion, empathy, and love are the sole motivators.
If we could truly feel an animal’s pain, we would treat them the same way we treat humans. But our measure of compassion has been bent, tailored to serve human interests. We drown in tears at a human death but celebrate with feasts at the cost of an animal’s death. That is inequality at its core—a crooked scale of empathy.
And then comes the radical thought — what if we began seeing all lives equally? The system of sin and virtue, with its boundaries and contradictions, would lose meaning. Humanity and empathy would be the only true standards.
Perhaps that is the hidden essence of religion—not to divide people, not to sanction killing or cruelty, but to nurture equality and unite all beings. Real spirituality resides in the realization that every life is a different reflection of the same soul.
As the founder of Vegan Mumbai Foundation, I have carried this insight into my activism. For me, the fight for equality does not stop at gender, race, or class — it extends beyond our species. The system of sin and virtue, as created by humans, has too often been used to justify cruelty while appearing holy. But when humanity itself becomes the measure, when compassion is our only compass, we glimpse what I believe to be real justice and true religion.
And so, I stand by this — sin and virtue are not eternal categories handed down fully formed —they are mirrors of our collective choices. Let us polish that mirror until it reflects equality, empathy, and respect for all.
👨🏫 Prof. Sudesh Kumar
🌎 VEGAN MUMBAI FOUNDATION
Published in Print & Online: October, 2025
