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COMPARING THE EASTERN FAITH OF HINDUISM WITH THE THREE MAIN WESTERN
RELIGIONS.
Hinduism versus Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
At this time it will be helpful to the western reader to look at some
basic differences between the monotheistic religions (Judaism,
Christianity and Islam) and the Hindu group of religions. Remember the
three western religions commenced with well documented founders,
Abraham/Moses for Judaism and for the fundamentals of all three,
modified by the persuasive revolutionary leaders, Jesus then Paul and
Roman Emperor Constantine, for the Christians and Mohammed for the
Muslims. They all denounced the old pagan practice of worshiping many
gods and their associated idols. The Jew Moses some 3000 years ago
produced the set of readily understood rules, the Ten Commandments
(Actually there were well over 100.) which are the basic dogma for
Judaism and Christianity and to a considerable extent Islam
On the other hand the Hindu faith evolved from pagan habits, without
the aid of a revolutionary leader or the persuasive might of the Romans
(mainly from Byzantium) to set out the strict rules or dogma for all to
follow. Hinduism evolved to the current position by much self analysis,
helped by self discipline, without the aid of a guiding and forgiving
God but with the aid of logic, science and the examination of
historical scriptures in the self search for a route to the ultimate
goal, which for all religions is the passage to heaven rather than a
hell after death.
Hindu Gods
Muslims, Christians and Jews believe there is only one God. Hindus
believe in many. However Hinduism has evolved and now teaches there is
one supreme God called Braham and that all other Gods are a near human
manifestation of Braham. Some say there are over 3 million
manifestations of Braham.
Life and Death
Prior to the European Enlightenment or Age of Reason, it was left to
the religious leaders to explain the wonders of the world, like day and
night and life and death, to the human race. In the three monotheist
religions the priests goaded, bribed or scared their disciples to be
good, (as defined by the Ten Commandments and modified by many
thoughtful priests), rather than evil. The prize being a happy
after-life in a place called heaven. The alternative being something
indescribably awful, Hell. Hindus believe the passage to heaven is long
and hard and many rebirths are required in order to become sufficiently
good to earn a ticket. This is called reincarnation. All living
creatures are involved in this process. If you are evil your next
rebirth could see you as a dog and if you are a dog and good you could
wind up as a human. You have to be a very good human and become a
priest, to break this cycle and enter heaven. Hindus have never had an
Enlightenment which shook the dogma of the Christian world but would
argue they were always taught, (contrary to Vatican teaching,) to
accept to the findings of science or any other discovery which could
provide a better understanding of life.
Attitude to other religions.
The Monotheists have a nasty habit of claiming their beliefs are the
only correct ones which has been the basis for many wars. If you do not
obey the sometimes illogical rules as laid down by the religious
leaders you are doomed and have no chance of getting to heaven.
Monotheists have been warring for centuries claiming Monotheists from
other religions are evil and are heretics, and as we have seen in other
parts of this web site and have taken pleasure in attempting to
exterminate those who believe differently. (see anti-Semitism, Ireland
and The Spanish Inquisition for example). Hindus are quite the opposite
and say that any other religious group can also study and embrace or at
least learn from Hinduism but need not convert.
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