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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can't speak to Judaism, but as far as Hinduism goes- it is not an exclusionary style religion.  It is inclusive.

Religions that claim to be the 'only truth' or the 'only right way'  and that all other beliefs are 'false' by forming a dichotomy of 'false gods vs real god', seek out converts.

Hinduism does not entertain that dichotomy.  There is only ONE.  Your path may be different than mine, but ultimately there is ONE.

While some religions have creeds and prayers that praise their version of the only right way and others as wrong, the Hindu prayer is

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah |
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

may every one be happy, may every one be free from all diseases
may every one see goodness and auspiciousness in every thing, may none be unhappy or distressed
Om peace, peace, peace!

This article is a good description.
https://yogabharati.org/article-blog/sarve-bhavantu-sukhinah

Part of it is this:

"This English translation above doesn't do justice. We're not praying just for everyone. We are praying for "all", every-thing-person-animal-atom-energy-quanta that exists. We are praying for the the welfare of the entire Universe, with no exception for "us" or another."

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This is lovely and made we want to learn more. Where would you go if you wanted to explore Hinduism in the DC area?[/quote]

Really just reading from valid sources is the first best step.  Since Hinduism doesn't have any formal conversion tactics, there aren't a lot of truly clear cut ways to learn more directly. This is why most books about Hinduism on the market are really terrible, they are written by 'academics', not the people that practice and live it.

Western Americans/Europeans that practice and live Hinduism are good resources for general information. They are used to Western religions that have these kinds of resources.

My favorite Bhagavad Gita text is this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Geeta-Swami-Chinmayananda/dp/817597074X

Different texts have commentary from different people, that one is really good.  Some language sounds a little old-sounding and could be updated but the explanations are excellent.
If you're really interested, it's benefitted me immensely to read several different commentaries of the Gita.

This one is also good and a little easier for the first time around:
https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/133-7842639-2082526?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1586380192&pd_rd_r=ed0dcd47-16ed-47b7-9262-1a4c27898b94&pd_rd_w=7U5ox&pd_rd_wg=3ocxN&pf_rd_p=ff9b5089-1414-4e8f-9675-3397e98bf276&pf_rd_r=BM6R925BY7ZZFRGGNZSV&psc=1&refRID=BM6R925BY7ZZFRGGNZSV

The Upanishads by the same author is also a good first time read.

This woman on YouTube is an American that gives a pretty good overview, I've not seen any of her other videos so can't comment on them.  I'm not a big fan of the version of Gita she recommends, it's from the Hare Krishna folks and while I love their Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, I don't really connect with the Vaishnavite/Bhakti path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3yAHSyZESQ

This is a free ebook from a Hindu monastery created by Westerners.  They follow Shaivism path.  
https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/what-is-hinduism

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