Because of what I post on my site, quite often, people accuse me of all sort of stuff.
Just yesterday, someone called my post “Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam (Mother, Father, Teacher, God)” rubbish. Why? Because I was being critical of the Indian/Hindu saying above. This person went on to tell me that it’s a beautiful religion and that every religion has it’s good and bad and so on.
This is the typical stuff I hear from people who have never bothered to look at each religion in detail and instead, make surface statements with no depth or clear meaning (it’s a beautiful religion?). If they did have a better understanding of each faith (not saying you have to be a religion expert!), they would see that while each religion shares some similarities in what it teaches, they differ greatly in core truths when it comes to God.
Hinduism has millions of gods (350 million, give or take). Each god is worshiped in a certain way with certain rituals. Images and idols of gods are everywhere. Though Hindus are very devout and the religion and culture are heavily intertwined, based on my personal observations, most Hindus try to live a good life and are not heavily influenced by the religion or its deep philosophical teachings. Generally, Hindus don’t have any issues with other religions and is very accepting of other faiths, for the most part. I have come across Hindus who are quick to tell me that they have an idol of Jesus that they pray to along with all the other gods that they worship. They have no issues with Jesus, until they come to know what the Bible says about other gods/religions and what Jesus Himself declares.
Islam worships one god, Allah. While Jesus is considered a great Prophet born of the virgin Mary, He is not regarded as the Son of God, which is central to the Christian faith. Muslims believe that Allah gave the Injeel (Bible), but assert that the Bible as we know it has been corrupted (though the evidence says otherwise), because of what it says about Jesus and how it contradicts Islam in many ways. Muslims live their lives based on the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed in the Quran, summed up by the five pillars of Islam. While one can draw many similarities between Islam and Christianity, the Quran contradicts the Bible on some key issues on what God says in the Bible (Injeel), especially about Jesus. These differences cannot be brushed aside because they are not minor nuances.
Christianity worships God, who is One, but comprises of 3 distinct persons – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. According to the Christian faith, people sinned against God and it resulted in our separation from Him. The punishment for sinning against God is death. Jesus, the Son of God, is called the the Savior of the World because He willingly died for our sins so that those who place their trust and faith in Him, can be reconciled to God through His death. In the Christian faith, people are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, NOT their efforts at good living and kindness and so on. Christianity is not a religion of works. Those who repent and turn to Christ are called by God to live by faith, that is, through the working of the Holy Spirit, our faith in Jesus has a direct and immediate impact on our thoughts, words, actions and attitudes. To those who put their faith and trust in Jesus, He promises, He guarantees, eternal life with God in Heaven.
I could have looked at many more aspects of each of these religions, but have refrained from doing so. If you have an honest look at the core teachings of each religion, especially the central figures of each one, you can clearly see they they are not the same. Not all of them can’t be right.
If you are someone who does not know Jesus, I pray that God will reveal Himself to you and help you understand who Jesus truly is, His significance, why He is the ONLY way, truth and life and accept Him as Savior and Lord.
If you still think or believe that these religions are the same and worship the same God and think that you can follow whichever religion you like and still end up in Heaven, you are sadly mistaken.
This mistake could cost you dearly for all eternity.
Kant … First of all learn about the facts of religion and give comments.
Hinduism is not a religion but a way of living….
Why it is being said that is because all others than Hindus only say that their religion is the best. So before critising go in depth of Hinduism properly… Did you read Bhagavad Githa & Vedas atleast one time I don’t think so.. if so we can have a debate please let me know… Wish you a Happy Married Life..
Yours Chechi…
Hi Chechi,
Thank you for commenting on my post.
You’re right. I have not read the Gita or the Vedas.
The objective of my article was to make the point that Hinduism, Islam & Christianity are not the same, which is what a lot of people think. Hinduism may be a way of life, but it also comprises of worshipping gods, which also makes it a religion.
Each faith has some similarities, but is radically different.
I want to challenge people, so that they’ll ask themselves: why am I a Hindu or Muslim or Christian? Most people are born into the religion they follow. But, my question is: if Hinduism, Islam & Christianity speak & teach different things about God, they can’t all be correct, right?
God is all powerful, almighty, perfect in every way. Unlike us human beings, God cannot change His mind on a whim, cannot lie, cannot cheat and so on. He is morally perfect. If He were to do anything like that, He wouldn’t be God!
In each religion, though there are a few similarities, there are also key differences to the character and nature of God. Thus, they cannot all be right, which means that either all religions are wrong or only one is right.
A person can continue following the religion they were born into or look at their religion teaches about God and see what other religions say and ask God Himself for the truth.
Jesus said that He is the Son of God, God Himself. He has been historically proven to have existed. So, here we have a real man, who said He was God, performed many miracles and wonders, healed thousands and ultimately, sacrificed Himself and died a gruesome death. Why? Because through His death, we who are separated from God because of how bad we are, could get right with God and go to Heaven! The New Testament is about Jesus and who He was, what He did. I don’t know if you’ve ever read about Jesus, but I assure you that if you did, you would begin to see why He is so unique.
I just wanted to share that with you.
Knowing who God is, really is a matter of life, death and life after death.
If I were to ask you: “Are you saved? If you were to die tonight, are you going to Heaven?” what would your answer be?
Love
Kanth
Hi Srikanth,
You are right in pointing that underlying principles based on which different religion is based differ. Hinduism is based on the fact that GOD resides in ones self and the person needs to self-realise it (AHAM BRAHMASI). If you look from this perspective, Mother, Father, Guru and GOD are all embodiments of the Divine Self and it doesn’t matter in what order you state it. The reason its stated in that order is because as a child, you know Mother first who leads the child to Father and so on.
Different religion were born at different times/eras in different regions. The Saints / Gurus at those time had to adapt and package their message accordingly. Even though they vary at religious level, the purpose of its existence is for people to become better.
Religion should only be a starting step and people need to outgrow from being religious to become Spiritual.
Going through your blog, you seemed to very learned on BIBLE but don’ t seem to have time to read other scriptures. Read them to make an informed opinion.
For you last question, my simple answer is I would rather immerse in GOD, than search for Heaven or Hell when I am not sure whether either exists and what it will be like?
Cheers
Shankar
Hi Shankar,
Thanks for taking time to comment. I don’t care about religions. I am only concerned about having a real relationship with the One true GOD.
You said you want to immerse in GOD. How do you immerse in GOD when you don’t know who GOD is?
The major religions talk about GOD and people assume it’s all about the same GOD, when the truth is, it’s not. One can easily determine this if they were to closely examine each faith and it’s core teachings for themselves. Then there are many religions that are not at all concerned about GOD, for example, those who worship Satan. So, to blanket everything under the term “religion” is inaccurate and dangerous.
Jesus can be considered a good teacher, a guru or sage or whatever else people want to label Him as, but He Himself stated that He was the Son of God, God Himself. If you get a chance, watch this message: http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/41-15/jesus-liar-lunatic-or-lord
I am not searching for Heaven or Hell (as your put it). My only desire is what where GOD is, there I want to be.
Jesus stated in John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus did not give us the option of finding our own way. A person can either deny Him or accept Him and whether people like it or not, their eternal destination will depend on whether they had a relationship with Jesus or not.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Sri
To the ones who say , they have no idea whether heaven or hell exists, must one question be asked ? Why do they have moral obligations when they do a good work to gain moksha or to earn salvation? There must be a reason behind it. Salvation according to Hinduism says that you will be reincarnated as a better object , animal or some creature and the only way to escape that is enlightenment. I mean , seriously. If a kid is born to a father you has been killing people for a living, would you ask him to continue doing the same , or would you show him the right way. Jesus Christ is the right way. And before ruling him out as one of the other million Gods, take a look at his person, his life, his sacrifice , atonement for sin and the transformation he’s ready to provide to the one’s that accept Him…I would just say, just give him chance to talk to you, You would be the happiest person if you do so.. For your good…He is self sufficient . He came for weak people like us!
Thanks a lot for your comment Mohit! It’s always great to hear from those who have experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ first hand. God bless you!