Hindu vs. Christian
by We in the U.S. have come to believe more like Hindus than Christians. Fewer are superior and self righteous about religion than ever before.
Recent polls show we have come to believe more like Hindus than Christians. Our country was founded by Christians who had very little knowledge of the world religions. Christianity was the only way they knew to think about eternity, themselves, and God. Christians were taught not to think for themselves but to believe in the Christian religion by faith. Questioning was blasphemy and punishable by hell fire. Children learned in church that the Christian religion was true, all others were fake, and to believe the Christian Bible or go to Hell.
On the other hand, Hindus believe there are many paths to God. The Koran is one way, Christianity is another way, and Yoga is another. There are many ways and all are equal. They believe truth speaks many languages. Only a million plus Hindus live in the United States but we are slowly believing more like Hindus than traditional Christians. 65 percent of us believe that many paths can lead to eternal life, including 37 percent of white evangelicals, who were traditionally the most hard core Christians.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Americans who call themselves spiritual are growing faster than any other segment of society. It’s very much the Hindu tradition. We are not picking and choosing among the many religions, because they’re all the same thing. Another way Americans are becoming more like Hindus is believing in reincarnation. Hindus believe that at death the spirit escapes and comes back to earth again and again in different bodies. Christians believe that body and soul are the self, and will be reunited at the resurrection.
Image via Wikipedia
We have more freedom today than ever before to question and learn. We are thinking in different ways about the spiritual and what we really believe. Our minds are broadening and the old order is falling away as people educate themselves and their children. The church has less influence on the masses as we question and trust to our own judgment. Leaders of the church with a line straight to Gods ear are not believable in our time.
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Post Commentken bultman
On September 15, 2009 at 5:31 am
You are telling it like it is, Ruby. It’s still a joy to recall growing up in the church, singing the old gospel songs, enjoying dinner on the grounds, and praising the Lord through babtism of the youth. Times and thinking are changing and I worry less about the hereafter that I used to. As the song goes, “…we’ll understand it all by and by.”
OhSugar
On September 15, 2009 at 5:51 am
Hi Ruby,
Enjoyed reading your comparison of these two religions. I am a Christian, have been all my life. I do believe in the hereafter, heaven, if you will. I read and study very often, and I have had personal experiences that proves to ME that I am on the right track. Nothing and no one will seperate me from the love of God. I am proud to say that I am a believer.
Mythili Kannan
On September 15, 2009 at 6:12 am
Dear Ruby, I’m a Hindu. When I questioned in my young age, “Why there are so many gods and religions?”, what my parents told was, “You call you father as dad, your grandma call him as son, the next house boy call him as uncle. A single person is addressed differently. But still he is a single person. Likewise, GOD is One. But we address him differently. Religions are like the paths of rivers. Though they travel differently, SEA (GOD) is their destination”
Thanks for this article.
unown971
On September 15, 2009 at 6:40 am
Interesting article!
Netty net
On September 15, 2009 at 7:34 am
Isn’t interesting how different religious worth up God in Different ways. Same God oh I Christian.
ashan1614
On September 15, 2009 at 8:02 am
I am a Christian, but I’d rather think myself spiritual than religious. Religion seems to me to be steeped in man-made traditions that have absolutely nothing to do with getting closer to God. Even within Christianity, there are so many denominations, each teaching that their way is the only way. I hope we can get away from that and realize there is one God and Father of us all.
Jenny Heart
On September 15, 2009 at 8:04 am
I’m a Christian and proud of it. God created us not to forget him I believe. Interesting article!
Preston Carew
On September 15, 2009 at 8:24 am
I’m glad religion isn’t as stagnant as I thought. My qualms with religion over science is that science gives way to change and adapts for it, but religion seems to refuse to accept it. Glad to see that’s partially not true. Still don’t believe, but as long as the people who do don’t impede upon my civil liberties, there’s no reason everyone can’t coexist.
Hugo La Rosa
On September 15, 2009 at 8:51 am
Excellent article! I read in a newspaper, a long time ago, that Renan
used to say: “Sometimes it’s the truth that negates the Truth!” Besides, I believe the Bible has been “edited” –many, many years ago– in such a wrongful way, that some valuable and precious parts have been taking out from those sacred scriptures..
gianne
On September 15, 2009 at 9:07 am
I actually LIKE what’s been happening to our religious culture. I LIKE when people are not so set in their ways or beliefs, that they are unable to see the value in learning about what others believe.
This was a great read, Ruby!
Brenda Nelson
On September 15, 2009 at 10:06 am
If people REALLY read this – it will piss a lot of them off.. which is why I most love it!
The ones who are not acting like thier religion demands wont see that they have actually switched religions in every way except name.
Nikita K
On September 15, 2009 at 10:21 am
I am a Hindu and it was nice reading about my religion through the eyes of another person from another religion. Hinduism does believe in a lot of things that isn’t known to Christianity and it’s amazing how loads of Americans want to believe that way. Nice article.
teddybear55
On September 15, 2009 at 10:32 am
I am a Christian and very proud of it, but I like to think of myself as a Christ-follower. There are so many different religions and I have always loved church and learning more and more bout the love of Christ. I would rather follow him than any particular demonination. He is my life and I am persuaded that neither death nor life, angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present or in the life to come. There is nothing in all of creation that will be able to separate me from the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus, my Lord.
Great article though, Ruby. It casues one to reflect on what they really do believe.
theSVK
On September 15, 2009 at 11:14 am
this article is proof to the fact that people have started to believe that that there’s is not only the way to God. Hinduism is not only a religion, it is a way of life and has been changing and shall change with time. a hindu may be a polytheist, monotheist and even an atheist. there is space for everyone. some religions like Buddhism and Jainism which emerged from it were originally Atheist in principle. The Hindu God can be anybody. He can worship the idols, the nature or even a fellow human being who has guided him to spiritual upliftment….
nice article Ruby
Rajesh Kumar Ram
On September 15, 2009 at 11:44 am
It is not important what different religions say, because they say conflicting things. I live in India- home of all the religions of the world. What is important is what the One God who is a Creator of all human beings says!
Leonardo da Vinci E.
On September 15, 2009 at 11:59 am
Religions perpetrate differences and war. Better to live and let live and do no harm. Religions contain mysticism, peculiar hatreds, and superstition. Objective ethics developes into systems of fairness and Justice and the ability to see the universe as it really is.
Ask Cash
On September 15, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I am an Indian and half Hindu (the other half is Zoroastrian). I feel that all religions have developed based on the need of the moment and the mistake we make is in hanging on to old rituals which have become useless traditions.
There was a really funny story about a hindu priest who used to have a cat near the harvest when he sat down to pray as the rats would bother him. In later years his sons would force a cat to sit next to them as they believed it was part of the ritual.
So we need to think for ourselves and see what’s right for us in our time today.
JoshuaD
On September 15, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I am not Hindu nor Xtian. Religions have a habit of taking bits and pieces of different beliefs and tying them together.
Ruby Hawk
On September 15, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Thank you everyone for your opinions. I especially like Kannan’s explanation which is the best answer i have heard yet. I was raised in the Baptist church, and as Ken says, I enjoyed all the camp meetings, gospel singing, and dinners on the ground. I always had questions and the only answers I could get were, “Dont ask question, thats blasphemy and you will go straight to hell.” It made me scared to even think about all the inconsistencies. Thank goodness, I began to educate myself outside the church. Many religious people are still afraid to do that.
Bhumika Ghimire
On September 15, 2009 at 1:13 pm
good one ruby..i am a hindu and appreciate ur balanced view
chris73
On September 15, 2009 at 1:26 pm
“trust to our own judgment”… i am not sure what part of the judgment is realy ours.
Olivia Reason
On September 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Good topic, Ruby.
s hayes
On September 15, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Very interesting article there – the many commonalities between different religions is fascinating – and a topic not often discussed as people usually tend to focus upon the differences.
There is a definate shift in religious belief going on at the moment – here in the UK there is a definate media attack on Christianity particularly (fuelled by the work of Richard Dawkins) which coincidentally or not – is in line with an irrefutable moral decline –
I am not affiliated with any one religion (and I recognise that the human organisation around religion sects has been flawed)- but I think that human beings have a genetic pre-disposition towards spirituallity – and to deny this aspect of life leads to problems!
Sourav
On September 15, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Well, I’m not a very religious person. I don’t believe in religion like a blind. There are many things that religions are never going to answer properly. I can see many of my friends are here saying, ‘proud to be Christian or Proud to be Hindu’ kind of stuff but to me that’s not important. To me we should be glad that we are here because God created us and gave us the power to be a good human being. Are we proud to be good human beings? Raise your hand.
I don’t know God’s religion. I don’t want to know. I love God. Whether He is Jesus, Allah or Shiva doesn’t matter to me. When I pray, every one of them remains in my heart.
DynamicLethargy
On September 15, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I liked this article. I hadn’t been aware of this development.
Lady Sunshine
On September 15, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Lets hope this is a sign that we as Americans are becoming more opened-minded. It always irked me when certain groups make blanketed statements – I never seem to fit anywhere! (But then again, I am a minority.) I believe in God, or at least in a higher power. I don’t believe in organized religion – there just seems to be too much brainwashing going on for my tastes. It is very important to question and not to blindly follow. Everyone is an individual has a right to make up their own minds, including not to believe.
tutor1235
On September 15, 2009 at 5:24 pm
As always, a phenomenal article, Ruby! I really enjoyed this one.
Tanya Wallace
On September 15, 2009 at 5:38 pm
You never cease to amaze me with your wide range of subjects, writing one just as good as the other!Another excellent jounalistic write about religion.I agree I think most of us are now questioning what the truth really is and seeking to find the answers to that truth.
jamie mullen
On September 15, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Of course if you talk to some of the muslims in India whose family members have been killed by hindu extremists they might not feel the Koran was very respected. Also hinduim is known for it’s rigid caste system which has brought us that charming term “the untouchables”. I don’t mean to pick on Hinduim but its not all puppys and rainbows and tolerance.
Butterfly Musings
On September 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm
A great article!!
PR Mace
On September 15, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I don’t think it matters what you are, I feel God is everywhere and in everything we do. I heard someone once say they didn’t need to go to church all they had to do was look around to find God. He was in the grass, the trees, rocks, dirt and in the very air we breath. In a moment of crisis God is within us, he shares our joys and our sorrows. I don’t like the ones that feel God will punish you for everything. What kind of loving Father is that? An article that will cause a lot of soul searching.
CHAN LEE PENG
On September 16, 2009 at 12:26 am
Great piece again. It doesn’t matter what religion one holds, as the nature of the religion is to teach people to become GOOD.
papaleng
On September 16, 2009 at 1:27 am
so many religious domination but only worshiping one deity. I’m a christian so i must follow what the bible teaches. live a Christian life.
Eunice Tan
On September 16, 2009 at 2:14 am
Ruby your comparison is just brilliant. I love that Hindu says there are many ways to heaven, however it is impossible that all religions are true.
Ron Fields
On September 16, 2009 at 2:46 am
Sounds like folks are being more “Christian” about Hinduism than ever before.
Daisy Peasblossom
On September 16, 2009 at 8:15 am
Very nice article, Ruby. I’m afraid every sect known to man has some problem or other–because they are put together by humans who have incomplete understanding of …well, just about everything. The good news is the option to question, and to search for alternative answers.
Moses Ingram
On September 16, 2009 at 10:46 am
Hi Ruby, I just love your article and I’m one of these people who consider myself spiritual and I like what is happening. It is good to see that Christians are becoming more accepting of others. There were some good things about the old ways but church leaders had too much power and people were not allowed to think for themselves. Jesus encouraged people to think for themselves by asking questions.In respect for others and their beliefs or lack of any belief, lies the hope of the world.
Kate Smedley
On September 16, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Very good article Ruby which will provoke some more debate I’m sure.., I am a Christian but have often been put off by church leaders … I am committed to the teachings of Jesus … it’s’ a difficult one, the key is to live in love and compassion and to treat people properly and with love … I could write an essay here but it may be incoherent. Thank you for sharing this.
N. Lloyd Andrews
On September 16, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Thanks again, Ruby, for a wonderful read.
Nijam Nirbhayam
On March 10, 2010 at 1:00 pm
“Another way Americans are becoming more like Hindus is believing in reincarnation. Hindus believe that at death the spirit escapes and comes back to earth again and again in different bodies. Christians believe that body and soul are the self, and will be reunited at the resurrection.”
From the Above Quoted, Americans are not becoming like Hindus. Hindus believes life again and again. but Christianity and Islam believes life after death is only once and it is true.
“On the other hand, Hindus believe there are many paths to God. The Koran is one way, Christianity is another way, and Yoga is another. There are many ways and all are equal. They believe truth speaks many languages. Only a million plus Hindus live in the United States but we are slowly believing more like Hindus than traditional Christians”
Though you believe in God or not, you’ll reach Him one day i.e, on the Day of the Judgment. We all be resurrected and will be in front of God who is holding our good deeds and bad.
Qoran,Bible,or Vedas are the ways to succeed in the hereafter. They are not the ways to reach God. Well, all of three may lead to succeed , there is one point we have to emphasize on.
To qualify in graduation you’ve got to follow graduate related books, not under graduation books. To pass in Under Graduation, you’ve got to follow Under Graduation books not High School books.
Same way, Vedas were meant for the people of 4 or 5 thousand year back people. Bible is for the people alive at the time of Jesus Christ and before another prophet. Torah is valid only during the Moses era. Qoran is valid in Mohammed’s era. Hence Qoran will lead to success for the current mankind.
90% of Hindus are unaware of the what their holy scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads) teach. 100% of Christians know whats in Bible, but Bible is not 100% authenticated.
Tashu
On October 31, 2010 at 3:01 am
This is a wonderful article..such an eye opener. I am a Hindu and married a Christian who comes from a very religious family. His parents forever keep going to the church morning and evening..we have just had a baby and during my pregnancy itself they had started talking about things like baptism. It was a bit annoying because my husband doesnt beleive in celebrating any of the hindu festivals. And then after the baby his parents were like the child cannot pray to any other god except Jesus…what their bible says…they keep saying we are church.WEIRD…hate christians their attitude which comes from their so called bible