Possible defeaters for Hinduism

[devotee]

Namaste WM,

Some possible defeaters that can be raised are:

(1)evolution - I cannot speak for others, but I find no reason why this would be a defeater for Hinduism. I have rudimentary knowledge of evolution but can reconcile with theistic-guided evolution. Hinduism also has the concept of various avatars of Vishnu that can be reconciled with evolution.

How does theory of evolution contradict SD ? You yourself don't agree with it. The world is the creation of MAyA and the apparent veil has to be removed to see the Truth. The Conditioned Consciousness is trying to find its way to the Ultimate Reality. It is not at all necessary that a human being must be born alogwith this creation ... Advaita doesn't claim that. However, dualists' theory does get a hit like any other dualistic philosophy.

(2)The universe does NOT have an infinite past but time itself began with the Big Bang. Now, if this is proven true, then clearly, the concept of beginningless Karma takes a hit. But proving that time itself began with the Big Bang is not that trivial. This post may be of interest.[/quote]

What is Universe ? Science says that there is nothing which can be created out of "nothing". If that is true, there can't be an Absolute beginning of anything ... that is what Advaita says.

(3)Consciousness is an emergent property of living things. Per Hinduism, consciousness is the very essence of the soul or else it is considered a property of the soul. Hinduism accords special importance to the existence of a self and its relationship to consciousness. Now, if it is proven that consciousness is nothing sui-generis, it is indeed a defeater for Hinduism.

Here, science is far behind our Rishis. The Consciousness is not the sole property of so-called "living things". If you see analytically, even a piece of stone must have consciousness to make sure that the Laws of Universal Gravitation is observed without fail. No one knows how even the last known particles of the atomic structure behaves exactly as per the Laws governing at that level if these are not conscious. Again, when form of matter is changed to other ... how does it acquire property as per the known nature of the new form. Where is this information stored if there is no Consciousness in matter. But where is the Consciousness ? Where is it stored ? We don't know. However, if we accept the Advaita's position that Consciousness alone is everything then the seemingly impossible-to-solve-mystery gets solved.

Therefore, none of the above can be defeaters for Hinduism.

OM