Hindus and non-hindus, what's your opinion

[Anonymous]

The thread on yoga and the discussion of hindu religion got me thinking whether hinduism is really polytheistic.

hinduism:
one supreme spirit/consciousness
trinity - brahma, vishnu, shiva
devas (m) and devatas (f)
devotees pray, go to temples and shrines, make pilgrimages to holy spots, fast in the name of one or the other devas/devatas, expect miracles, have priests perform rituals and prayers on their behalf, have personal favorites, aims for union with the supreme spirit.

catholicism:
holy trinity - father, son, and the holy spirit
saints (m and f)
devotees pray, go to churches and shrines, make pilgrimages to holy spots, fast in the name of one or the other saints, expect miracles, have priests perform rituals and prayers on their behalf, have personal favorites, takes communion.

so many similarities but why is catholicism monotheistic but hinduism polytheistic?

[Anonymous]

I was raised Muslim. I agree that Catholicism (or Christianity in general) always seemed very similar to Hinduism to me, with regards to the mono/poly-theistic distinction.

Islam is very "strict" monotheistic, by theology (although one can argue that in practice, a lot of Muslims place a sort of worship to Muhammad). But it was still very different than the Christian claim of monotheistic.

[Anonymous]

You left out the prominence of Mary in some strains of Catholicism.

There's a reason there was a Protestant Reformation, OP.

[Anonymous]

Interesting topic. Some scholars actually argue the Old Testament is polytheistic or at least adhering to henotheism. (That's Judaism but still something I thought about when seeing this thread.

[Anonymous]

I know an Australian woman who grew up in a devout Catholic home. She was drawn to India and Hinduism and moved there in her 20s. It's been 30 years since and she is a high level teacher in a Hindu temple in Australia.

I asked her if it was a difficult transition, she said not at all. That the similarities were many and she felt no conflict.

Most religions, even if they say they are monotheistic, do tend to have an object or person they worship or hold sacred. Whether it's a Saint, Jesus, Mohammed, a book like the Koran or the Guru Granth Sahib, or Sufi mystic.

It's believed in Hinduism, that it is easier for us common people to worship a form on our spiritual journey to the all pervading God. Hence the reason the statement " from form, to formless" is a major part of Hinduism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting topic. Some scholars actually argue the Old Testament is polytheistic or at least adhering to henotheism. (That's Judaism but still something I thought about when seeing this thread.

I often think about that when I read the word "Elohim" (technically plural "Gods") written in a prayer instead of "Eloheinu" (singular "God"), or the many different "names" we have for God. The explanation I've read was that the ancient Jews subsumed all of the many gods of polytheistic people they conquered into our one Abrahamic God (eliminating the goddess consorts like the Shekhinah along the way--but that's a conversation for another time). But I kind of like the many faces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thread on yoga and the discussion of hindu religion got me thinking whether hinduism is really polytheistic.

hinduism:
one supreme spirit/consciousness
trinity - brahma, vishnu, shiva
devas (m) and devatas (f)
devotees pray, go to temples and shrines, make pilgrimages to holy spots, fast in the name of one or the other devas/devatas, expect miracles, have priests perform rituals and prayers on their behalf, have personal favorites, aims for union with the supreme spirit.

catholicism:
holy trinity - father, son, and the holy spirit
saints (m and f)
devotees pray, go to churches and shrines, make pilgrimages to holy spots, fast in the name of one or the other saints, expect miracles, have priests perform rituals and prayers on their behalf, have personal favorites, takes communion.

so many similarities but why is catholicism monotheistic but hinduism polytheistic?

I was raised Catholic and find a great deal of overlap between Catholicism and hinduism. When catholics pray for intercession of saints, they are essentially honoring saints a big souls of grace with much light to share, like darshan. They both have prayer beads, buddhists also. The both have processions with their honored god or saint as a figure in an argha nova (boat) that they bathe and decorate and display - ancient Egyptian religion had that as well.

And hinduism is not necessarily polytheistic, is it? The Day of Brahma, the creator, is a physical universe with all manifestation and the jiva souls (smaller, various beings that proceed from the One) at play in incarnations. Then Night of Brahma is a sleep until the next Day.

[Anonymous]

Im Hindu by heritage, American born and tending toward agnostic/atheist in actual belief. Ive often wondered why theres such a big deal about monothesism -- setting aside whether Hinduism is or isnt monotheistic. Why is polytheismso bad? Also, whats the biggie about worshippibg idols? Never understood that. I have also been struck by the similarities with Catholiscism, and am most drawn to tgat tradition within Christisnity. I like ritual. I like the idea of different saints with different powers. I like the awe inspiring art, music and archtitecture. I also see the similarity with the ancient Greek religion... Many gods, athena sprung from the head of Zeus (god-head, eg Bramha). But all this is philosophical to me.. I am interested in religion, but cannever see one as right. For the most part, people follow what they were born into, so that undermines the power of belief to me. Religion is mostly inherited culture.

[Anonymous]

Im the pp, Ill add that one big difference betweenCatholicism and Hinduism is rules. There are no rules per se in Hinduism, at least no one set of things that one must do or right and wrong. Also, another huge difference is the lack of a central authority or clergy inHinduism.

Also one thing similar between Hinduism and Ancient Greek religion is that the Gods and Goddesses are not 100 percent good -- they have rivalries, egos, tempers, vendettas... The Catholic God and saints are all good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im Hindu by heritage, American born and tending toward agnostic/atheist in actual belief. Ive often wondered why theres such a big deal about monothesism -- setting aside whether Hinduism is or isnt monotheistic. Why is polytheism so bad? Also, whats the biggie about worshipping idols? Never understood that. I have also been struck by the similarities with Catholiscism, and am most drawn to tgat tradition within Christisnity. I like ritual. I like the idea of different saints with different powers. I like the awe inspiring art, music and archtitecture. I also see the similarity with the ancient Greek religion... Many gods, athena sprung from the head of Zeus (god-head, eg Bramha). But all this is philosophical to me.. I am interested in religion, but cannever see one as right. For the most part, people follow what they were born into, so that undermines the power of belief to me. Religion is mostly inherited culture.

I kind of agree. As a Hindu, I think polytheistic practices are no big deal (even if I agree with OP that ultimately, God is One). Personally, I believe images of a saint or a god can become imbued with their divine energy because the image or statue becomes the recipient of the devotee's energy and belief, so while the statue or the portrait does not literally become the deity or saint or archangel, it becomes a tangible link to their energy as a result of prayer.

About the Zeus thing, some modern Greeks are worshipping the Olympian gods, which is interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im Hindu by heritage, American born and tending toward agnostic/atheist in actual belief. Ive often wondered why theres such a big deal about monothesism -- setting aside whether Hinduism is or isnt monotheistic. Why is polytheismso bad? Also, whats the biggie about worshippibg idols? Never understood that. I have also been struck by the similarities with Catholiscism, and am most drawn to tgat tradition within Christisnity. I like ritual. I like the idea of different saints with different powers. I like the awe inspiring art, music and archtitecture. I also see the similarity with the ancient Greek religion... Many gods, athena sprung from the head of Zeus (god-head, eg Bramha). But all this is philosophical to me.. I am interested in religion, but cannever see one as right. For the most part, people follow what they were born into, so that undermines the power of belief to me. Religion is mostly inherited culture.

It isn't bad, except when a religion is stigmatized, marginalized, and feared based on that label, as Hinduism appears to be. I have met a few people who visibly recoiled at the very mention of Hinduism as though it was contagious and they might get it from the very thought of it. I also know a few Hindus who are uncomfortable with admitting that they are Hindus in public. The polytheistic label, whether it applies or not, also seems to cause non-Hindu societies to take Hindu terminology and practices out of their context and give no attribution. Again, due to not wanting to validate a polytheistic religion. If the yoga OP is serious about her stance in getting people to acknowledge its Hindu roots, then this is probably where he/she should start, in disseminating the right and easy to understand information about Hinduism. It's a mighty task, no doubt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im Hindu by heritage, American born and tending toward agnostic/atheist in actual belief. Ive often wondered why theres such a big deal about monothesism -- setting aside whether Hinduism is or isnt monotheistic. Why is polytheismso bad? Also, whats the biggie about worshippibg idols? Never understood that. I have also been struck by the similarities with Catholiscism, and am most drawn to tgat tradition within Christisnity. I like ritual. I like the idea of different saints with different powers. I like the awe inspiring art, music and archtitecture. I also see the similarity with the ancient Greek religion... Many gods, athena sprung from the head of Zeus (god-head, eg Bramha). But all this is philosophical to me.. I am interested in religion, but cannever see one as right. For the most part, people follow what they were born into, so that undermines the power of belief to me. Religion is mostly inherited culture.

It isn't bad, except when a religion is stigmatized, marginalized, and feared based on that label, as Hinduism appears to be. I have met a few people who visibly recoiled at the very mention of Hinduism as though it was contagious and they might get it from the very thought of it. I also know a few Hindus who are uncomfortable with admitting that they are Hindus in public. The polytheistic label, whether it applies or not, also seems to cause non-Hindu societies to take Hindu terminology and practices out of their context and give no attribution. Again, due to not wanting to validate a polytheistic religion. If the yoga OP is serious about her/his stance in getting people to acknowledge its Hindu roots, then this is probably where he/she should start, in disseminating the right and easy to understand information about Hinduism. It's a mighty task, no doubt.

Sorry I meant to highlight the question I was responding to but my kids stormed in and scrambled my brain.

[Anonymous]

Hinduism is best described from a Western defining lens as Pantheistic Monism/Monistic Pantheism.

All is God, God is one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im Hindu by heritage, American born and tending toward agnostic/atheist in actual belief. Ive often wondered why theres such a big deal about monothesism -- setting aside whether Hinduism is or isnt monotheistic. Why is polytheismso bad? Also, whats the biggie about worshippibg idols? Never understood that. I have also been struck by the similarities with Catholiscism, and am most drawn to tgat tradition within Christisnity. I like ritual. I like the idea of different saints with different powers. I like the awe inspiring art, music and archtitecture. I also see the similarity with the ancient Greek religion... Many gods, athena sprung from the head of Zeus (god-head, eg Bramha). But all this is philosophical to me.. I am interested in religion, but cannever see one as right. For the most part, people follow what they were born into, so that undermines the power of belief to me. Religion is mostly inherited culture.

Seems like you are a Hindu without knowing it. Exploring one's spiritual path, including being agnostic/atheist does not conflict with being a Hindu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread on yoga and the discussion of hindu religion got me thinking whether hinduism is really polytheistic.

hinduism:
one supreme spirit/consciousness
trinity - brahma, vishnu, shiva
devas (m) and devatas (f)
devotees pray, go to temples and shrines, make pilgrimages to holy spots, fast in the name of one or the other devas/devatas, expect miracles, have priests perform rituals and prayers on their behalf, have personal favorites, aims for union with the supreme spirit.

catholicism:
holy trinity - father, son, and the holy spirit
saints (m and f)
devotees pray, go to churches and shrines, make pilgrimages to holy spots, fast in the name of one or the other saints, expect miracles, have priests perform rituals and prayers on their behalf, have personal favorites, takes communion.

so many similarities but why is catholicism monotheistic but hinduism polytheistic?

I was raised Catholic and find a great deal of overlap between Catholicism and hinduism. When catholics pray for intercession of saints, they are essentially honoring saints a big souls of grace with much light to share, like darshan. They both have prayer beads, buddhists also. The both have processions with their honored god or saint as a figure in an argha nova (boat) that they bathe and decorate and display - ancient Egyptian religion had that as well.

And hinduism is not necessarily polytheistic, is it? The Day of Brahma, the creator, is a physical universe with all manifestation and the jiva souls (smaller, various beings that proceed from the One) at play in incarnations. Then Night of Brahma is a sleep until the next Day.

No, it is not necessarily polytheistic. If in order to understand the one, it helps to have many, then you can have many. You can also have none. That is why you can be a polytheist or an atheist and still be a Hindu.