Is it Possible to be a Hindu Follower of Christ? - Christian Post

[HDFNewsBot]

Is it Possible to be a Hindu Follower of Christ?
Christian Post - 5 hours ago
Throughout the conference, speakers addressed the common misconception that Hinduism is a uniform religion when in fact it is more of an umbrella identity ...



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[nomar]

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No it's not, this is just more scum missionary propaganda. Is it bassible to be a christian worshipping Lord Krishna, is it possible to be a muslim worshipping anything thats not "Allah". This is complete bullshit and the same c r a p missionaries use to exploit poor Hindus in India and it doesn't belong here.

http://www.christianaggression.org/

[Eastern Mind]

What utter nonsense. Take the two basic tenets on death, for example. (We could list another 100 or so conflicting beliefs) On one hand we have reincarnation, earning merit throughout this life, hoping for a better life. On the other hand, we have "heaven or hell, which will it be?'' There is no middle ground here. When a person's mind attempts to hold both views, there is only one state - confusion. Why in the world would anyone want to take a confusion pill. That's like taking a headache pill. (Not to erase the headache, but to give yourself one.) Aum Namasivaya

[saidevo]

The best and only way to defend such vilifying attempts is for us to teach Hinduism at the grassroot levels. If this level is armed with knowledge, it will form the soldier-level defence of Hindu Dharma.

In practical terms, teaching Hinduism could start with the women and children of the poor class who send their children to corporation schools. Quiz shows and competitions with attractive prizes and cash incentives such as offer to meet educational expenses can go a long way. For the learned children and youth, a comprehensive Website in vernacular with interactive participation may be a good idea.

In the seventies and eighties at least our Tamil film producers like APN and Devar released Hindu religious films such as Tiruvilaiyadal, Deivam etc. These days the filmy filth just uses revered Hindu names such as 'Kakka Kakka', 'Pithamahan', 'Malaikottai', 'Tiruvilaiyadal Arambum' as movie titles for their filty content.

Our computer-savvy youth must be encouraged with funding projects of multimedia animations of the type Hanuman, Krishna etc., comic books and games with Hindu themes. These products might be sold at affordable prices initially and offered free to download over the Internet after a year.

[Agnideva]

Is it possible to be Hindu and Christian at the same time? No. Or at least not without giving up certain central beliefs of both systems, in which case it is neither Hinduism nor Christianity. It is a self-serving religion.

The "Krista Bhakta" in the article says: "Probably the best way to say it is someone that is born to Hindu parents is a Hindu and you can have any beliefs you want." Is this true? No. Hindu is not a person who believes anything one wants. Anything goes is not Hinduism. Just because one is born of Hindu parents does not make one a Hindu. It is belief in and practice of one of the various sects of Hinduism that makes a Hindu, not birth or ethnicity.

OM Shanti,
A.

[Kaos]

I agree, Agnideva.
Nowadays, particularly in Western circles, it is becoming to popular to pick and choose, mix and match certain religions according to one's one whims, or according to what religion is the flavor of the month.

Some claim to be both Christian and Buddhists, etc., which is only possible on a superficial level.

At the core of the teachings, on a deeper level, it is not possible to be both.

For example, perhaps, one can superficially claim that one is both "Christian and Buddhist" .

But on a deeper level, there is no "Zen Christian".

[Eastern Mind]

Saidevo: I totally agree with you. Your post focussed on solutions, not the problem. We all know the problem. Well, let's top whining about it and start action as a solution, if even in a small way. For example, if you see a Christian missionary at your Hindu neighbour's house, why not go over there right away, and start a discussion.. try to erase that immediate memory of that which they just experienced. If the Christian offers a big meal, then you offer a bigger meal. We could all try to make Hinduism more fun for the children. Unless you're at the point in life where you can really feel the energy or actually read scripture and enjoy it, then what does Hinduism have to offer? Aum Namasivaya

[Arjuna]

What utter nonsense. Take the two basic tenets on death, for example. (We could list another 100 or so conflicting beliefs) On one hand we have reincarnation, earning merit throughout this life, hoping for a better life. On the other hand, we have "heaven or hell, which will it be?'' There is no middle ground here. When a person's mind attempts to hold both views, there is only one state - confusion. Why in the world would anyone want to take a confusion pill. That's like taking a headache pill. (Not to erase the headache, but to give yourself one.)

The problem isn't that simple as it seems to be to some.

Not all Hindus necessarily accept idea of reincarnation (which is BTW absent in Vedas) and not all christians reject it.
Of course official Christianity is much more rigid in its doctrines due to existance of Church institute, but who said that christian must mean Roman catholic chistian (protestant, nestorian or whatsoever) and not gnostic one? Jewish Kabbalah does accept reincarnation doctrine and it has the concept of Messiah (in greek, Christ). Nothing stops christian to accept a similar model.

It is better to raise a question, who is Hindu? Is there any clear definition? I doubt that. Any suggestions?

[Eastern Mind]

Arjuna: Sorry if I didn't include the non-mainstream Christians or Hindus. I was just talking of mainstream beliefs, that would be common to 80 - 90 % of the religion. (Probably less in Hinduism, as we are more diverse, I believe. Other points of conflict: (not just between Christianity and Hinduism, but east and west)
1) East - the universe exists in endless cycles of yugas, creation, preservation, dissolution
West - The world was created by God and at one point will be destroyed by him
2) East - There is but one true God.
West - there is but one true God and religion.
3. East - Proof of God lies in direct communion
West - Proof of God lies in the person of His prophet
4. E - There is no intrinsic evil, just anava, karma, and maya
W- There is evil , led by Satan and his army
There are many others. I still maintain that trying to be both is going to be confusing. Of course you are also correct, that for some, who can read and think deeper, interpret the scriptures differently, then there may be a meeting ground. For example, its pretty easy to understand "Thou shalt not kill" as a pure statement of ahimsa, but trust me that's not how the majority of Christians interpret it. Their interpretation is that animals were given to man by God to eat.
Aum Namashivaya

[Arjuna]

Other points of conflict: (not just between Christianity and Hinduism, but east and west)
1) East - the universe exists in endless cycles of yugas, creation, preservation, dissolution
West - The world was created by God and at one point will be destroyed by him

What do U mean by "West"? In Greek philosophy, Judaism and Sufism there are theories of emanation of the world from God which are similar to Hindu views.
And are U sure that ALL Hindus believe is "endless cycles"? I am not quite sure this doctrine existed in Vedic times and is reflected in Vedic texts...

2) East - There is but one true God.
West - there is but one true God and religion.

Both Judaism and Islam admit that all other monotheistic religions are true and can lead to God (though of course they are seen as inferior). This is similar to Hindu views. Most if not all Hindu traditions see themselves as superior to all other traditions, Hindu or not.

3. East - Proof of God lies in direct communion
West - Proof of God lies in the person of His prophet

None of "western" religions rejects direct communion and most Hindu traditions have their own prophets (starting from Vedic Rishis).

4. E - There is no intrinsic evil, just anava, karma, and maya
W- There is evil , led by Satan and his army

In Judaism and Islam satan is not an opposing "anti-God" figure, but servant of God who has his specific job to do. Christian view of satan was influenced by Zoroastrism, which was an early derivation of Vedic religion.

There are many others. I still maintain that trying to be both is going to be confusing.

Can one be Pashupata-shaiva and Shri-vaishnava at the same time? Can one be Vedantic sannyasin and an adept of Kaula-marga?
What i want to say, there is hardly any one thing called "Hinduism". There are numerous traditions under one brand (invented by muslims), which can hold very different views and adhere to different methods.
If we put Christianity or Judaism into Hindu cultural context, there would be no essential reason not to include them in Hinduism as well .
Vedas never say Krishna is supreme God, Vedas do not promote vegetarianism, Vedas do not advertise bhakti-mArga and Hari-sankIrtana, Vedas aren't written in Bengali – but Gaudiya-vaishnavas are still Hindus despite of the fact that all their practices and beliefs have nothing to do with Vedas (which they consider to be smth inferior)! Then why a person believing in Jesus Christ and having Gospel as his scripture cannot be a Hindu?

For example, its pretty easy to understand "Thou shalt not kill" as a pure statement of ahimsa, but trust me that's not how the majority of Christians interpret it. Their interpretation is that animals were given to man by God to eat.

Many Hindus (including brahmanas) eat meat as well, though they have similar prescription of non-killing. In Vedic cult animal sacrifices were an essential part, same is true (though not to a same degree) in regard of Agamic traditions. Brihadaranyaka-upanishad at one place suggests eating calf-meat.
At the same time some Jewish and Christian sects were vegetarian.