Is hinduism pluralistic?

[wcrow]

So the essence of religion is the same throughout Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. But the way they are taught is different because the audience for each religion was different. You don't teach complex calculus and algebra to elementary school students, do you? And you wouldn't teach PhD students in mathematics that 2 + 2 = 4. God has taught the people at each time what they needed to know for spiritual realisation. If you go to a doctor, he will give you what you personally need to get well. He won't give you a lecture on different kinds of medicine - he will give you what you need. Likewise, God wasn't going to tell the 7th century Arabs about His rasa-lila - they wouldn't have understood it and would most likely have acted out a perverse rasa-lila themselves. Instead he taught them to pray to Him five times a day and to stay away from alcohol. He didn't give them the full message because they weren't ready for it. Jesus Christ said "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." (John 16:12) He was acknowledging that He could have said much more about Himself and His spiritual pastimes, but that His disciples weren't ready for such knowledge.

That actually makes a lot of sense. And I agree - after reading the Bhagavad and the Devi gitas it makes alot of sense to me.

[Ramakrishna]

. ..
That statement of John(2 Timothy 3:16), "All Scripture refers to christian scriptures and Old testament.

Yes, that is correct. "Scripture" in that sense refers to the Bible, not the texts of other religions. I wish it would refer to the texts of other religions, but unfortunately a lot of Christians seem to only care about what the Bible says and nothing else.

[sanjaya]

Just a small correction: the book of 2 Timothy was written by Paul, not John.

I also agree that the author of that passage was referring to Christian scripture. Specifically he meant the Old Testament, since the New Testament wasn't canonized yet. But back to the main issue. I'm not denying that God has revealed wisdom to other cultures via the many world religions, including Christianity and Islam. But it's worth noting that these religions do teach many things that are contrary to Hinduism. We can't simply parrot "all religions are equally valid," since mutually contradictory beliefs can't be simultaneously true. Hinduism contains a lot of wisdom that disagrees with the Bible. A cursory examination of the Bhagavad Gita uncovers a philosophy that doesn't concur with the ideals of Western civilization. Here in the West, the idea that it's better to do your duty poorly than to do another person's duty well would be scoffed at. In verse 2:11, Sri Krishna advises against wasting one's scruples on the undeserving, and says that "the wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead." Elsewhere in Mahabharatha, he tells Arjuna to kill his brother Karna via dishonorable battle tactics, because Karna's means of killing Abimanyu was equally dishonorable. Such teaching disagrees quite strongly with the Christian standards of absolute commandments which may not be interpreted according to the context of specfic situations. How can we say, in good conscience, that Christian teachings are equally valid with these?

I think that Scott has correctly pointed out some important similarities between various religions of the world. But I have a question about point number 2. All religions teach obedience to God's laws, but can we agree on what those laws are? This is a very important point, because Christian morality is very different from Hindu teaching.

Yes, all religions teach some good. But some religions seem to have more truth than others. I believe that religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism contain teachings that are superior to those of Christianity and Islam. Others, including those in the latter two faiths, will obviously disagree with me. But I believe we have to face up to the fact that all religions can't be reconciled. And these irreconciliable differences aren't limited to theology about the nature of God and other esoteric things. Some pertain to matters of morality, as what I described above. Differences in moral teaching are why Christians send out missionaries to destroy other cultures, and we don't. It's important, I think, for us to appreciate these differences.

[proudhindu]

. We can't simply parrot "all religions are equally valid," since mutually contradictory beliefs can't be simultaneously true.

Let us see what they are

Elsewhere in Mahabharatha, he tells Arjuna to kill his brother Karna via dishonorable battle tactics, because Karna's means of killing Abimanyu was equally dishonorable. Such teaching disagrees quite strongly with the Christian standards of absolute commandments

There is of course a strong point made that you dont follow dharmic fighting rules when the opponent has no intention to follow them himself.

This lesson was remembered by the hindu warriors and king when they were faced with Masud Ghazni.They didnt pardon him.

Alas the later hindu king Prithviraj Chauhan didnt remmeber this lesson and pardoned Muhammad gori.Well, everbody knows what the pardoned Ghori did later on.
ref:http://www.historyofjihad.org/india.html

Now coming to the Biblical commands (since you mentioned them).
Thou shall not murder doesnt apply to war.

BIBLICAL RULES OF WAR:
Deuteronomy 20:13-18:
When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, PUT TO THE SWORD ALL THE MEN IN IT.

As for the WOMEN, THE CHILDREN, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as PLUNDER for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the LORD your God gives you from your enemies.


This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive ANYTHING THAT BREATHES.

Completely destroy them--the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites--as the LORD your God has commanded you.

(THE REASON-)

Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping THEIR GODS, and you will sin against the LORD your God.

Bible is comparatively kind towards captured women compared to islam.The jews/Christians can marry the captive girl and leave her after a month (if they are not pleased) but cannot sell them.

In islam everything is game as far as captives are concerned.

Deuteronomy 21:10-14
When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take captives, if you notice among the captives a beautiful WOMAN and are attracted to her, you may take her as your wife.
f you are not pleased with her, let her go wherever she wishes. You must not sell her or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her.



Noncombatants were never attacked in hindu code of Dharmayuddha(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmayuddha)

[TatTvamAsi]

"Is Hinduism pluralistic?"

Is the sky blue?

That is a trick question! Figure it out and you'll figure out the answer to your original question.

[sanjaya]

Let us see what they are



There is of course a strong point made that you dont follow dharmic fighting rules when the opponent has no intention to follow them himself.

This lesson was remembered by the hindu warriors and king when they were faced with Masud Ghazni.They didnt pardon him.

Alas the later hindu king Prithviraj Chauhan didnt remmeber this lesson and pardoned Muhammad gori.Well, everbody knows what the pardoned Ghori did later on.
ref:http://www.historyofjihad.org/india.html

Now coming to the Biblical commands (since you mentioned them).
Thou shall not murder doesnt apply to war.

You are of course correct Proudhindu, I suppose I could have articulated myself better.

It's true that murder is recognized by Christians as being different from other forms of killing. My point was simply that Christian commandments leave no flexibility for reason. For example, I have been told by Christians that it is sinful to lie even in order to save one's life from an enemy. Obviously Christians rarely obey their own commandments, but they would likely disagree with the Hindu teaching that dishonorable enemies should be treated dishonorably. This is why in medieval Europe, people gave their kings absolute power (because of the commandment in Romans 13 to obey secular leaders) and refused to question even an evil sovereign's laws. Paradoxically, Christian absolutism leaves no room for mercy.

[rcscwc]

The thing about Hinduism is that there is no one major figure who basically said "No one attains salvation but through me." In Hinduism, God is in many forms, and people everywhere strive to reach God. I believe that Christianity at it's core has a high degree of truth to it. If people live the way Christ lived and try their hardest to be like him, then God will be pleased. However, over the centuries Christianity has strayed from it's core, become more inclusive, and oftentimes seeks to convert people more than anything else.

That salvation quote is at the core of xianity. Is it true? If yes, then Rama, you are headed for hell. This single quote is enough to negate all your popous beliefs.

How did Jesus live? Drinking his host dry?

Sending demons into innocent pigs?

Going on a rampage in the jewish temple? Sure xians are on record as having gone on a rampage against Hindu temples.

Abusing and calling names of those who do not believe him?


While insulting the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus calls an entire generation a "generation of vipers." John 3:7
Those who bear bad fruit will be cut down and burned "with unquenchable fire." 3:10, 12
Me and you and all other non xians beware.
Jesus says that most people will go to hell. 7:13-14
Are you excluded from the "most"?

Cities that neither "receive" the disciples nor "hear" their words will be destroyed by God. It will be worse for them than for Sodom and Gomorrah. And you know what God supposedly did to those poor folks (see Gen.19:24). 10:14-15

Since biblegod has left off the practice, the office has beeb adequately done by his followers.

Thank God, xians are no longer emulating Jesus 100%.

[ScottMalaysia]

I think that Scott has correctly pointed out some important similarities between various religions of the world. But I have a question about point number 2. All religions teach obedience to God's laws, but can we agree on what those laws are? This is a very important point, because Christian morality is very different from Hindu teaching.

Most religions would agree that things like murder, theft, lying, adultery, etc are wrong. I remember our instructor at our ISKCON Gita class saying that Islamic scriptures contain prohibitions against adultery, incest and pre-marital sex because it was necessary at the time that Muhammad was given the message of the Qur'an. Such prohibitions do not exist in the Hindu Scriptures because they were not needed. Arjuna understood the Hindu teaching that any woman who is not your wife is treated as your mother. If I may use an analogy - you don't tell an adult not to play with fire, because they already know that it's dangerous. However, children are more at risk of doing such an act, so they need to be warned that it is wrong.

Yes, all religions teach some good. But some religions seem to have more truth than others. I believe that religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism contain teachings that are superior to those of Christianity and Islam. Others, including those in the latter two faiths, will obviously disagree with me. But I believe we have to face up to the fact that all religions can't be reconciled. And these irreconciliable differences aren't limited to theology about the nature of God and other esoteric things. Some pertain to matters of morality, as what I described above. Differences in moral teaching are why Christians send out missionaries to destroy other cultures, and we don't. It's important, I think, for us to appreciate these differences.

Personally, I would place Buddhism at the bottom of your list. I see it as essentially a pre-theistic message - "do good to others and strive to be the best possible person you can". Hinduism is better than Buddhism in my opinion as it teaches belief in God where as Buddhism doesn't (although many Buddhists worship gods from their various cultures). Judaism is better than Christianity as it is not exclusive and doesn't restrict salvation to Jews only. It doesn't say a lot about the afterlife and some Jews believe in reincarnation. Most importantly it teaches a personal God with whom one can have a peresonal relationship.

For example, I have been told by Christians that it is sinful to lie even in order to save one's life from an enemy.

There are varying views. Catholics believe that it is permissible to withhold information from those who are not entitled to it. For example, if you were hiding Jews in your house in WWII and Nazis knocked on your door and asked you if you had any Jews in your house, you were permitted to say no because they weren't entitled to that information.

Paradoxically, Christian absolutism leaves no room for mercy.

And Christians have the cheek to say that there is no mercy in Hinduism?!

I've seen Christian sites and literature that says that the Hindu doctrine of Karma leaves no room for mercy. I read from some Christian source that Hindus believe that if you help someone who is suffering, you are interfering with their karma. Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) said that if it is someone's karma to suffer, it is her dharma to help them.

[proudhindu]

SM,

I would rather consult islamic sources to learn about islam rather than listen to iskcon or some radical hindu universalist.

Ruling on having intercourse with a slave woman when one has a wife

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/10382

What is a “right hand servant”? Does the owner of a “right hand servant” have to be married?

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/12562

[Ramakrishna]

That salvation quote is at the core of xianity. Is it true? If yes, then Rama, you are headed for hell. This single quote is enough to negate all your popous beliefs.

How did Jesus live? Drinking his host dry?

Sending demons into innocent pigs?

Going on a rampage in the jewish temple? Sure xians are on record as having gone on a rampage against Hindu temples.

Abusing and calling names of those who do not believe him?


While insulting the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus calls an entire generation a "generation of vipers." John 3:7
Those who bear bad fruit will be cut down and burned "with unquenchable fire." 3:10, 12
Me and you and all other non xians beware.
Jesus says that most people will go to hell. 7:13-14
Are you excluded from the "most"?

Cities that neither "receive" the disciples nor "hear" their words will be destroyed by God. It will be worse for them than for Sodom and Gomorrah. And you know what God supposedly did to those poor folks (see Gen.19:24). 10:14-15

Since biblegod has left off the practice, the office has beeb adequately done by his followers.

Thank God, xians are no longer emulating Jesus 100%.

Well I never said that Christianity was 100% true. But you must recognize the truth that is in it. It's very easy to mention the Bible verses you did, but you forget about the teachings of Jesus such as:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


"Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."


"Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you."


"Do not judge, or you too will be judged."


Once again, I never said that Christianity was a 100% fully true and righteous religion. But I think it's safe to say that if someone follows these teachings then they are on a pretty good path.