|
 Hinduism is
among the most ancient of the eastern religions, and one
that has had a profound influence on western
civilization. Over the years, it has given birth to other
cults and religious movements. Buddhism started as an
offshoot of Hinduism. Today, the New Age Movement,
Transcendental Meditation, Wicca, and many forms of pagan
worship are offspring of Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion
of varied interpretations, practices, and doctrines. One
cannot say, “This is the Hindu orthodoxy, from which there
is no deviation.” There are, however, certain
commonalities, which we will explore.
We present this information in an
effort to explain the general beliefs of Hinduism, and
contrast them with biblical Christianity. We do our best
to explain some rather nebulous concepts, and may make
some mild generalizations. If you are Hindu, please
understand that we bear no hatred or malice to the good
people that practice this religion. We only wish to show
how the Hindu religion differs from the gospel of Jesus
Christ. It is our goal to present the truth with love.
Hinduism is rooted in the merging of two basic religious
systems: that of the ancient civilization residing in the
Indus River Valley from the third millennium B.C., and the
religious beliefs brought to India by the Aryan (European)
people who began moving into the Indus Valley sometime
after 2000 B.C. Today, Hinduism claims over 750 million
followers worldwide – that’s 1/6th of the
world’s population! That number does not include the
followers of New Age and other religious movements that
share a common bond with the Hindu religion from which
they developed.
 Correspondence
on Hinduism
|
