Hinduism and compatibility with any religion

[Guest guest]

Hinduism is perfectly compatible with all religions provided they do not preach theirs is the ONLY way.

There are people who call themselves Muslim Hindus and Christian Hindus.

[Guest guest]

"There are people who call themselves Muslim Hindus and Christian Hindus"

 

Only in a dream, my friend! I seriously doubt there are people who call themselves Muslim Hindus and Christian Hindus. You're either one or the other. Please understand it's the very basis of christianity and islam to believe theirs is the only true way. Some Hindu try to pacify them, with little or no results.

 

That's the problem with some Hindus, they're always 'creeping' to other religions, in the hope that they'll be liked. Such a terrible inferiority complex! Do you see the christians or muslims creeping to Hindus? No!

 

"Say with pride, we are Hindus!"

[Guest guest]

All religions, all sects, all movements tend to say that they are the best and know more. However, Hindus I met did not show any forcefulness and arrogance in explaining who they are and what is their philosophy. And, they did not act as if the absolutely wanted to be liked.

 

You may be educated as a Muslim or Christian or Jew, etc. As you grow up, however, you may decide otherwise, feel otherwise and be intersted in different paths. I know MANY Christians who respect, love and even follow Hindu principles and philosopy to the best of their understanding. I have met Jews too who actually are not practicing judaism, are strong believers in the Hindu philosophy; they still consider themeselves Jews (it is more than just a religion) and follow Hinduism. I have not met Muslims who do likewise, but I bet they exist. Maybe, the difference lies in the fact that the "sanction" if you "change" religions or modifiy your path towards spiritual development is not as harsh when you are Christian than when you are a Muslim. I do believe that in the latter case it is compeltely forbidden; I do not remember if we were told as Christinas that we had no right to chnage. I am sure it is the case , I just did not acknowledge it at the time ... and frankly, who cares what the priests say.

 

You don't choose your religion, it is imposed on you as you are born; then, you may choose what touches your soul more and, hence, move towards other things. Many people from the West have been doing that. It may be strange for you to see all these Europeans, Americans, Australians etc. being so enthusiastic about your philosophy. You may say they do it all wrong and do not understand. However, you may also see it as a positive evolution towards a positive development in their lives and development of softness and bette understanding.

 

From what I see, the person who started the thread is NOT an Hindu and he sounds very much respectful of Hinduism and eager to learn and understand in a very peaceful way.

 

In sum, there are people who were educated as Christians, who are Hindus in their heart.

[Guest guest]

I'll still say I've never heard about Christian Hindus or Muslim Hindus. Whosoever calls themselves a Christian Hindu, I don't think can really be a christian (in their heart) in the first place, because in Christianity they have to believe in christ as their only saviour and nobody else or their teachings can be accepted.

 

I think Hindus have their beliefs but as Hinduism doesn't actively seek converts, Hindus don't push their beliefs on others and don't feel this intense desire to 'save other people's souls'. It's usually people who find out about Hinduism from the outside come into it by their own choice. But sometimes amongst Hindus you will find some arrogant ones usually as part of a sectarian movement who think they are the best. This site has a few of them.

 

I think the first western 'converts' to Hinduism were the Swami Vivekananda's followers in the US. I think that because Hinduism is a very broad religion, it 'overlaps' many other easter religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism and shares some similarities with Christianity and Zorastrianism. I think the freedom to choose aspects of Hinduism and 'build' the religion around you life is what is appealling to those from different religions backgrounds.

 

As for changing religion, I remember seeing a programme where a woman was 'changing' her religion from a Christian to a Buddhist, she had to get permission from the priest at her church...I'm not sure if this is the case with all Christians, but I think the woman was Catholic. In the case of Islam, it is completely forbidden and is punishable by death. Muslims arn't supposed to be even 'inspired' by the teaching of other religions. However, in India there were a few muslim groups who combined Hindu and Muslim teachings such as the Khojas of Gujarat, though they are not accepted as muslims by the orthodox Islamists.