Misconceptions about Hinduism continue…
I recently came across a post titled “The Real Problem is not Islam” on this blog to which I added the comment posted below.
The reason for posting my comment here is to highlight the need to counter some basic mis-conceptions about Hinduism such as [a] it is no different from any other religion in promoting violence [b] the very nature of religion makes it intolerant of non-believers (certainly not true of Hinduism) [c] “A Hindu state or the Christian state would treat its minorities the same way as the Islamic states do”, [d] a Hindu state can never be secular etc…
It is important that we make every attempt at rectifying these mis-conceptions and beliefs….whenever and wherever we come across them.
If any of you come across such topics/posts, please do alert me.
Dhanyawaad,
Shantanu
P.S. See also: “Continued Ignorance about Hinduism” and this whole category of posts.
*** Comment to “The Real Problem is Not Islam”” post***
All,
I am coming late into this debate but I must say that I disagree with at least some of the points you have made.
The debate about Islam being a peaceful religion (or not) is not irrelevant as it does impact terrorism and events around us (including the war in Iraq)
You say that “
Enough evidence can be cited from almost any religious text to show how every religion promoted violence and discrimination at one point of time or another”
– and you have included the wikipedia link to Hinduism in the quote.
Two things, violence and discrimination are NOT the same things.
Secondly, the discrimination that you refer to in Hinduism (I can only presume you mean the caste system) is such a complex subject that it is easy to be intellectually lazy about it (See e.g. this “Varna and Jatis: the need for clarity” )
You also say that
“The very nature of religion as a group which can only expand its power by enlisting additional hands is enough to ensure that it can never behave fairly to those who choose a different path”
…Well, I guess that you are primarily thinking of Abrahamic (and monotheistic religions here)…Hinduism of course has never attempted to proselytise and is certainly not monotheistic. See e.g. “Hinduism – NOT “monotheism in disguise”
You further say that
“A Hindu state or the Christian state would treat its minorities the same way as the Islamic states do”
– This again is a statement that is very hard to defend intellectually.
Historically, the liberal strain within Hinduism has ensured that minorities are not persecuted even though their beliefs may, at times run counter to the prevailing orthodoxy of the time (Buddhism e.g.).
Secondly what makes you think that a Hindu state will not be secular? Is there anything within the philosophy or the belief system that prevents a Hindu state from treating its minorities fairly? In fact, scholars have argued that India (and Hinduism) can be a role model for peace in the 21st century.
Look forward to your thoughts.
B Shantanu.
hello..
any body want to help HINDu please try to do some not speech. if you want to help a comunity donate. for a HINDU temple in south India. http://www.valamchuzhytemple.org
To Jayraj,
Help doesnot always come with donation or Money. According to my belief, Hindus have to learn to unite, help in reducing poverty and preventing farmers from sucides. When somebody dies in poor family, how many times temple came to their rescue? How they help deceased children with daily burden? only when natural calamity strikes sometime they come out and help with money that also very few temple authorities, instead some of the time priest behave arrogantly.
I strongly beleive we need more temples, no doubt in it. But when you say ” please try to do some not speech,” I don’t agree with that. Plus people like you should encourage temple people to help peolple in need and to work toward reducing poverty level. If they do so every Hindu will donate freely and happily.
Jai Hind
Well said Indian…I completely agree…
Temple building is no doubt a noble cause but there are more urgent matters which are crying for our attention…to cite just one – how do we unite Hindus; indeed how do we unite India?
Another example is the caste system – how do we inculcate a sense of pride amongst the Dalits, the SCs and the STs – how do we make sure that they are treated on par with everyone else and get equal opportunities for development? – laws will only go this far – we need to change mindsets…and that is a tough challenge…
My hats are off to you, Shri. Shantanu for your endeavors to eradicate misconceptions about Hinduism.
Ignorance is the root cause of all evils and hatred. Knowledge eradicates ignorance. So it is the duty of every Hindu to educate themselves and the world all about HINDU CULTURE.
1. Hindus worship ONE & ONLY GOD BRAHMAN which expresses itself in trillions of forms.
2. Hindus do NOT worship IDOLS. Like every one else Hindus us idols or icons to concentrate on a God which has NO NAME or NO FORM [nama-roopa]
3. According to Hinduism, the goal of every human being irrespective whether Hindu or not is SELF -REALIZATION.
4. Man’s problem is FALSE KNOWLEDGE that he is the perishable body within. The moment a man realizes that he is the IMMORTAL SOUL or ATMAN within, he attains SELF REALIZATION or SALVATION.
Ed: Thanks a lot for your kind words and encouragement.
I also had a quick look at your website. It is excellent. I will go through it in more detail in the next few days.