Namaste RVR, et al,
re�li�gion noun \ri-ˈli-jən\
: the belief in a god or in a group of gods
: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods
: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion
Why can't Hinduism be a religion
and a way of life? It is not an "organized religion", but it certainly is a religion. However, while the dominant (Abrahamic) religions are centered around belief (Believe in X or suffer eternal damnation), Hinduism is centered around practice. It is this emphasis on practice above belief which makes Hinduism a way of life. Rather than focusing on believing this or that or this prophet or that prophet, Hinduism is centered around Dharma, which encompasses all aspects of life. Dharma is about right conduct, performing our individual duties in this world and respecting the diversity of life and individual consciousness; this is in stark contrast to the belief-centric Abrahamic religions which are all about making every single person believe in the same exact things.
"New atheists" like Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris etc have a deceitful tendency to lump all religions together and label them all as evil, delusional, or whatnot. Dawkins and Harris are a bit more objective, as they are at least willing to recognize that religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. are starkly different than the Abrahamic religions. However, when Hitchens wrote about Hinduism he focused on "guru scandals" and highly controversial figures like Osho. He was very biased and had an agenda of his own, which was to turn the whole world into atheists. Just look at the title of his book and that will tell you how objective he was.
In many ways atheists like Hitchens are no better than Abrahamics. At least atheists are by and large peaceful people. But Hitchens himself was not, as he was a major proponent of the United States' invasion of Iraq (in which hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed) largely because of his hatred of Islam.
Anyway, Hinduism certainly is a religion, and we should't back down from saying so just because "religion" has turned into a dirty word. Hindus need to stop worrying about what non-Hindus say about our religion.
Jai Sri Ram
Bookmarks