Hinduism is the one polytheistic religion that thrives in the modern world. What do you see in the readings here that shows why Hinduism is a road people might still find attractive? What do you see here that would suggest that the would tend to support Huston Smith's view that all the great world religions point to the same general truths? What do you see here that would tend to support Prothero's view that the major religions are very different?
Hinduism is a road that people still find attractive because there is an idea of extreme self-improvement. There is an idea that we can transcend ourselves and our desires that hold us back. We can become a part of god, of infinity, pure understanding and peace. This is shown near the end of the passage Thou Art That on page 23 when a father shows his son that the Spirit is in him and he is a part of something greater.
ReplyDeleteAn instance that shows religions tending to point to the same truths would be Krishna's teachings near the end of this section. He says that we must break free from our desires as they chain us to a cycle of rebirth. Breaking from our desires which are selfish and act for the sake of acting we will be released from the cycle. Most religions claim that humans are selfish and therefore inherently evil so many religions find ways for us to shake off our evil selves, in this case, getting rid of our desires and being indifferent in a sense.
Hinduism seems to be different in the sense of its polytheism. Not many religions in today's world offer themselves as the will of many gods and teachings all wrapped up into infinity. That seems starkly contrasted to religions such as Christianity and Islam which teach of one true and whole god, a being inescapably higher than everybody else.
Hinduism is attractive today for two reasons: the chance for self-improvement/the ability to earn one's way into a better life and the "it is what it is" attitude. The ability to earn one's way into a better life is self-explanatory. The attitude encouraged by Hinduism and the idea of Karma is attractive to many people because it frees one of the burden of helping the world. It is easier to handle being surrounded by poverty or oppression if one isn't morally obligated to try to change it. If you believe that is all for the betterment of those people and you would be wrong to interfere, you would have much less of a burden. A line of the Hindu religious text on page 28 in Novak's collection sums it up: "You should not grieve for what is unavoidable."
ReplyDeleteI can see similarities between Hindu texts and other religious texts. The one that jumped out at me was on page 7 in Novak, the "Creation as Cosmic Sacrifice". This vedic hymn talks about how Purusha's self-sacrifice created the world. Of course the theme of self-sacrifice always reminds me of the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ that Christianity is founded on.
I believe that Hinduism is attractive for several reasons. First there is a strong sense of justice with the religion. It is unavoidable that a person's karma is judged and how they act in this life will effect the next one. If a person acts righteously and another evilly then the righteous will be rewarded while the evil has to answer for their choices.
ReplyDeleteWhile the sense of justice is important I feel that the idea that everything is illusion is crucial to the religion's appeal.If everything is illusion it allows a person to overlook suffering and they can largely ignore the world around them. It permits a large range of actions depending on how you view the situation and there is as little or as much devotion required as you want. Also it doesn't take much to convince people to focus on themselves, but when you make it harmful to interfere with others and their suffering or good fortune it does not require much of its participants.
Another reason is that there is no sense of urgency because if you get things wrong you can always get it right next time and improve your station. If a person gets things correct that's great otherwise they will just have to do better so eventually you'll get it right.
While I find that there are similar themes that crop up they are more similarities in poetic expression of belief or religion. I find that Hinduism is vastly different than many other religions as it does not try to justify itself. You really don't need to believe in anything doctrinally just live true to your station in life and you'll eventually get things right. In the end we are all just a part of the greater consciousness so there is no individuality in the end.
I like how you described HInduism, especially your last point - "You really don't need to believe in anything doctrinally just live true to your station in life and you'll eventually get it right." In a way, with Hinduism a person can believe in so many things I think it could be said they don't believe in anything (sort of).
DeleteI think that people would find Hinduism attractive because it’s sort of a pick-and-choose who you want to serve then go for it religion, it’s flexible, and allows a person to accept and believe multiple things that may very well contradict each other (but somehow it’s all “true”).
Hinduism is unique in that it is the only polytheistic religion in the world's top 8 religions that can survive on its own. It's unique because it's a like a buffet religion which will appeal to many- you can pick and choose what kind of meat, vegetables, candy, et cetera.. you want to "eat" and no one will tell you you're eating the wrong "food." And, just you said David, if you get something wrong in this life you can just come back and fix it in the next one.
Good answer, Aleya!
DeleteHinduism is appealing because it is a smorgasboard of religious traditions, something tasty for everyone. It is a complex and contradictory religion in which you can gain super powers by giving up food or comfort for a certain length of time. Also,if you don't get it right the first time(or the tenth), you can come back and try it again! Instead of YOLO, it's YOLI. (infinity) Best if all, not only can you become like "God", but you can become a part of "God" and then actually be "God"! If things are spinning out of control in your life, you can blame it on bad Karma, not personal responsibility. You can have peace and nirvana because you aren't your brother's keeper, you are just an illusion. Or are you?
ReplyDeleteThis is my comments above. I now have my profile set up :)
DeleteWhich profile should I pick to put my name on here instead of Anonymous? Barb
ReplyDeleteIf you can conveniently use a Google profile, do that. Otherwise, go ahead and choose anonymous, but be sure to add your name at the end of your comment.
Delete--Art Marmorstein
It seems that people would find Hinduism attractive because people like choices and with Hinduism, you can choose your spiritual figure. We all have our own personalities, likes and dislikes, and choices of compliance and rebellion to authority. Choosing our own spiritual figure fits our selves well and we can all be happy for everyone.
ReplyDeleteAll of the religions strive for self improvement and closeness to divinity. As much as I know about world religions at this point, our various god figures have our best interests and show love for us and then teach we are show this love to others. We have ancient writings to guide us to a better life. Each of these supports Huston Smith's view of similar religious truth.
I would define Prothero's view of different religions partially due to the ultimate goal of each religion. Hinduism is friendliest accepting anyone's view and choice for their path to some heaven or eternity. Christians and Muslims have very specific and different ways to heaven. Heaven is not clearly defined as far as I know in Judaism. The use or non-use of sacrifice and its meaning is different in each world religion. Sacrifice is important in Christianity and used to be important in Judaism (hm). For Hindus, sacrifice is more of an honoring or appeasing of gods rather than concern for sin.
When considering the differences of world religions, I believe the view depends on the beliefs of the author. For a Hindu the differences are not important, but (likely) to most Christian, Jews, or Muslims, these differences make a big difference.
In today's world, it seems Hinduism would have some appeal because of its flexibility. Many people want some form of spirituality or "higher meaning" without any demands on them. For many who are tired of a materialistic culture, they find appeal in its asceticism. For those who want a pleasure-seeking lifestyle, Hinduism also allows for that. In a relativistic culture, there is attractiveness in a religion that says you can find truth within yourself and finds no problem with calling it truth even if it contradicts your religious writings.
ReplyDeleteIt seems inconceivable that Hinduism should have much appeal for women, however, given its teaching that whatever god made woman deliberately designed her with a natural disposition of impurity, wrath, dishonesty, malice, and bad conduct, destitute of knowledge and strength (Ch.IX, #16-18), and no allowance for trusting her with any sort of independence. Other major differences between Hinduism and at least Confucianism and the western religions regard allowable punishments and honoring of parents. In Hinduism, dishonoring those of higher caste gets much stiffer penalty than defaming parents. It even prescribes such cruel and unusual penalties as cutting out the tongue of the low-caste offender, thrusting a red-hot iron nail ten fingers long into his mouth, and pouring hot oil into his mouth and ears (Ch. VIII, #270-273).
There are some common principles to be found. I find it interesting that immediately following these brutal punishments, there is a Hindu law that a person be fined for calling someone names (e.g. one-eyed, lame) even if those things are true. Old Testament law similarly has many laws that show compassion for the disadvantaged. One example is Leviticus 19:14, which prohibits cursing the deaf or putting a stumbling block in front of the blind, though does not spell out a civil penalty for it. It merely states that these things are wrong because He is the Lord, implying that this is contrary to His character and He will deal with offenders.
It must be understood, though, that one religion having similar details, requirements, prohibitions, or practices as another religion do not make those two the same. Differing underlying principles, nature of their gods, and purpose/end result of following them make even identical details insignificant.