Investigating Hinduism Essay
Hinduism is a major religion of modern society. Between its prolific followers, estimated to be more than 760 million, and its historical influence upon other religions Hinduism has been a prolific religious and cultural influence worldwide. (Dunham, 2014). There are three important qualifiers to being a Hindu 1. Respect the various levels of deities and spirits. (Corduan,2012). “Although all Hindus acknowledge the existence and importance of a number of gods and demigods, most individual worshipers are primarily devoted to a single god or goddess” (Hinduism,2016). 2. Accept the caste system (Corduan,2012). The caste system reaches beyond religion and encompasses the Indian culture from childhood to an individual’s …show more content…
“Religion insulates in group evaluations: the development of intergroup attitudes in India” is a poignant investigational study of the caste system. They provided an in-depth analysis of the cast system and its effects upon an individual of India. The article compares the caste development to American prejudice. The results of which suggest that social groups are embedded within the cultures. By contrast, religion functions as a predominant indicator of preference in favor of their own religion (Dunham, 2014). According to the study, children form allegiances and develop strong attachments according to religion and social status. In India the caste system effects are relatively consequential when compared to the religious hierarchy (Dunham, 2014). “Gujarat, as in other regions of India, Hindu–Muslim tensions exist, and are coupled with a clear asymmetry of power, with Hindus in the majority and wielding overwhelming political power over the Muslim minority” (Dunham, 2014 p. 312). The caste system allows an abstract social approach, unlike race relations in the United States. Rather than a system of biological factors such as skin color these children are of an economical division (Dunham, …show more content…
They came with hospitals, educational facilities, food and a willingness to except the culture (Corduan,2012), they stayed out of a Christian brotherhood with the people. “Christian missions have been quite successful in a Hindu context” (Corduan,2012 p. 309). Western missionaries have maintained a good relationship with the Indian peoples by continuing to respect the principals and practices of their culture, such as the preparation of vegetarian food and not trying to explain Christianity with a Hindu vernacular. For instance, “one should avoid talking about Christ as ‘avatar,’ Christian ‘karma,’ ‘Christian moksha’ or—worst of all— ‘Christ Bhakti’” (Corduan,2012 p. 308). By observing the beliefs and practices missionaries have been able to further enhance their interactions with the adherents of Hinduism. This is not all rose buds and flowers though, there are vast differences between the religions which makes conversion to be virtually impossible in either direction without discarding one’s belief system. The aspiration of a Hindu is motivated by what a practitioner does rather than the Christian customs of thought. “…each individual perceives an orderly pattern that gives form and meaning to his or her own life” (Hinduism, 2016). Whereas Christianity stands firmly on the belief of overcoming our alienation to God in the form of repenting of sin; Hindus rejoice in their gods and
Hinduism is a major religion of modern society. Between its prolific followers, estimated to be more than 760 million, and its historical influence upon other religions Hinduism has been a prolific religious and cultural influence worldwide. (Dunham, 2014). There are three important qualifiers to being a Hindu 1. Respect the various levels of deities and spirits. (Corduan,2012). “Although all Hindus acknowledge the existence and importance of a number of gods and demigods, most individual worshipers are primarily devoted to a single god or goddess” (Hinduism,2016). 2. Accept the caste system (Corduan,2012). The caste system reaches beyond religion and encompasses the Indian culture from childhood to an individual’s …show more content…
“Religion insulates in group evaluations: the development of intergroup attitudes in India” is a poignant investigational study of the caste system. They provided an in-depth analysis of the cast system and its effects upon an individual of India. The article compares the caste development to American prejudice. The results of which suggest that social groups are embedded within the cultures. By contrast, religion functions as a predominant indicator of preference in favor of their own religion (Dunham, 2014). According to the study, children form allegiances and develop strong attachments according to religion and social status. In India the caste system effects are relatively consequential when compared to the religious hierarchy (Dunham, 2014). “Gujarat, as in other regions of India, Hindu–Muslim tensions exist, and are coupled with a clear asymmetry of power, with Hindus in the majority and wielding overwhelming political power over the Muslim minority” (Dunham, 2014 p. 312). The caste system allows an abstract social approach, unlike race relations in the United States. Rather than a system of biological factors such as skin color these children are of an economical division (Dunham, …show more content…
They came with hospitals, educational facilities, food and a willingness to except the culture (Corduan,2012), they stayed out of a Christian brotherhood with the people. “Christian missions have been quite successful in a Hindu context” (Corduan,2012 p. 309). Western missionaries have maintained a good relationship with the Indian peoples by continuing to respect the principals and practices of their culture, such as the preparation of vegetarian food and not trying to explain Christianity with a Hindu vernacular. For instance, “one should avoid talking about Christ as ‘avatar,’ Christian ‘karma,’ ‘Christian moksha’ or—worst of all— ‘Christ Bhakti’” (Corduan,2012 p. 308). By observing the beliefs and practices missionaries have been able to further enhance their interactions with the adherents of Hinduism. This is not all rose buds and flowers though, there are vast differences between the religions which makes conversion to be virtually impossible in either direction without discarding one’s belief system. The aspiration of a Hindu is motivated by what a practitioner does rather than the Christian customs of thought. “…each individual perceives an orderly pattern that gives form and meaning to his or her own life” (Hinduism, 2016). Whereas Christianity stands firmly on the belief of overcoming our alienation to God in the form of repenting of sin; Hindus rejoice in their gods and