what’s the difference: Hinduism

February 25, 2023

Hinduism

~ we are all divine ~

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origins:

~ “Hinduism” comes from the Indus River, which flows through what is now Pakistan
~ 3BC, the great civilization of Mohendo-juro flourished, populated by Dravidians
~ from that archeologists have been able to discover that they had a polytheistic fertility religion that centered on the forces of nature, use of rituals, merging human sexuality with hope for abundant crops
~ around 2000BC, Aryans came over the mountains and conquered the people of the Indus Valley

~ Vedic literature: hymns, prayers, mythic stories, and chants, written down by the Aryans between 2000BC and 700BC
– Vedas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
– considered by Hindus to be supernaturally inspired
~ Dravidian fertility religion and early Aryan Vedic religion laid the foundation of what became known as Hinduism
~ later, Vedas showed a movement toward Pantheism
~ Pantheism: God did not create the world; God is the world, along with everything in it
~ earlier Hindu scriptures had mentioned many gods, the highest goal was union with Brahma – the impersonal absolute
~ Brahma priests – performed ritual duties for community, also maintained a monopoly on the higher truths, became more and more powerful until they became the highest social class
~ 500BC: more writings added to Hindu scriptures to establish Varna, a rigid caste system
– Brahma: (priests), kshatriyas (warriors/nobles), Vairyas (merchants/artisans), Shudras (slaves)
– only the first 3 were allowed to take advantage of all that Hinduism has to offer; Shudras were not allowed to hear Vedas or use them to try and find salvation
– untouchables: considered so low that they were outside the caste system and treated as subhuman most of the time. In 1947, when India became a nation the government officially outlawed discrimination against untouchables
~ one hymn tells how 4 castes of people came from the head, thighs and feet of the creator god

Two core beliefs:

~ not really one religion, but many religions that interact/blend with each other
~ no known founder/creedal statements of the faith, no agreed upon authority
~ one can be a good Hindu and believe in one god, many gods, or no god at all
~ contradicting ideas are not a problem
~ all reality is seen as “one”

~ reincarnation and karma
~ reincarnation: the belief that a person’s soul must repeatedly be recycled repeatedly into the world as different bodies – could be animals, plants, or inanimate objects
~ process that takes the Hindu through the great wheel of Samsara (thousands or millions of lives) that each must endure before reaching moksha (liberation and union infinite)
~ karma: “action”
~ law of cause and effect
~ means merit or demerit, which attaches to one’s soul, according to how one lives their life

~ moksha: is liberation from Samsara
– three paths
1) the path of works: a set of specific social and religious obligations, must be fulfilled, must follow caste occupation; by fulfilling obligations this person may hope to attain a better reincarnation and perhaps – eventually – achieve moksha
2) path of knowledge: includes self-reincarnation/meditation on the supreme pantheistic reality; open to men only, most often includes the practice of yoga as an attempt to control consciousness through bodily posture, breathe control, and concentration
3) path of passionate devotion: the most popular way to achieve moksha; Ramayana and Mahabharata – epic poems composed between 300BC and AD 300: a devotee may choose any of the 330 million gods, goddesses or demigods in Hindu pantheon and passionately worship that particular god; almost all worship Vishnu or Shiva; appeals to the lower castes; offers a much easier way/path for their souls to progress

What’s the difference:

~ Hinduism teaches that the soul is uncreated and eternal; Bible teaches that each person is created by God, that we die once and will be resurrected at judgement
~ Hinduism teaches that the soul is perfect, free and unlimited and eventually each soul will reach its divine nature; Bible teaches that each person has one life and after this comes judgement
~ Hindus believe that God has become incarnate many times; Bible teaches that God became incarnate only once, through Jesus Christ
~ Hinduism teaches reincarnation and that Christ is just another teacher/avatar; Bible teaches the resurrection of Christ and demonstrates His absolute uniqueness as God the Son, victory over death, divine approval from God the Father”
~ Hinduism teaches that there is no personal, loving God; sin is “utter illusion” and all material reality is illusory

Jesus came not to teach humanity
various ways to salvation
but to be
“the way the truth the life”

source: So What’s The Difference by Fritz Ridenour

…I personally don’t believe in religion, not as it has been defined in society. All it is, is a tool to divide us. I grew up a Baptist and went to a Christian school. To this day I have questions, but I still believe – and I keep looking for answers. Having faith that God is in control and believing that He sent His son to die for our sins is all that is needed to be saved. One doesn’t need to pray on the rosary, live a life of celibacy, or not eat certain foods to be saved. Jesus paid it all!

hope you have a great day!
thanks for stopping by!!