The world is turning more liberal. Adopting practices which seem startlingly similar to a very Hindu way of life. From Dietary practices (Americans consume 19% less meat than they did a decade ago) and environmentalism to a spiritualism that accepts and celebrates many paths to the same god, the world is adopting virtues deeply embedded and/or originating within Hinduism.
As these trends gather momentum, traditionally strong religiopolitical forces have accelerated their game plan to replenish their depleting ranks. Western Europe is now a majority atheist region. America is heading in that direction. Couple these long term trends with aging populations in both regions and you have a dreaded confluence of factors which are undermining Western religions/doctrines.
Not only are people forgoing traditional religions, they are increasingly attracted to a DIY, laissez-faire spirituality which is the very bedrock of Eastern religions.
Islam is facing a crisis of its own. And Communism is little more than a foot note in history.
This is not to suggest that Hinduism is a pristine, flawless doctrine. But its open-source structure is precisely what the world is turning too.
Show me another religion which worships a Muslim Fakir and turns his shrine into the 3rd largest pilgrimage destination.
What is at once its achilles heel (its tolerant openness and acceptance of other religions as a valid path to nirvana) is also its greatest strength.
It took horrors of the Holocaust to bring Europe face-to-face with its evil, exclusivist doctrines, and question centuries old religious beliefs.
It may be wishful thinking on my part but a similar awakening is under way within Islam. It may take a near death event to push Muslims to experience their own catharsis and come around to the social tolerance that has gained ground even in communist China.
But as these evolutions play out, Hinduism cannot sacrifice its core, its greatest asset i.e. Sarva Dharma Samabhav
Surely Hindus must arm and fight an eye for an eye. But in doing so they must not be seen as a poor caricature of the Abrahamic cousins.
Instead of defending violence over Gau raksha, how about addressing the flaws that plague Hindus. Where, for instance, we give more to Temples than to charitable causes and then decry the govt as it fritters away temple wealth.
If every Hindu focuses on one small act/deed/thought that lies at the core of Hinduism - tolerance, respect for nature, the oneness of the Universe....we will be prepared to welcome the world when it finally comes to its senses.
As these trends gather momentum, traditionally strong religiopolitical forces have accelerated their game plan to replenish their depleting ranks. Western Europe is now a majority atheist region. America is heading in that direction. Couple these long term trends with aging populations in both regions and you have a dreaded confluence of factors which are undermining Western religions/doctrines.
Not only are people forgoing traditional religions, they are increasingly attracted to a DIY, laissez-faire spirituality which is the very bedrock of Eastern religions.
Islam is facing a crisis of its own. And Communism is little more than a foot note in history.
This is not to suggest that Hinduism is a pristine, flawless doctrine. But its open-source structure is precisely what the world is turning too.
Show me another religion which worships a Muslim Fakir and turns his shrine into the 3rd largest pilgrimage destination.
What is at once its achilles heel (its tolerant openness and acceptance of other religions as a valid path to nirvana) is also its greatest strength.
It took horrors of the Holocaust to bring Europe face-to-face with its evil, exclusivist doctrines, and question centuries old religious beliefs.
It may be wishful thinking on my part but a similar awakening is under way within Islam. It may take a near death event to push Muslims to experience their own catharsis and come around to the social tolerance that has gained ground even in communist China.
But as these evolutions play out, Hinduism cannot sacrifice its core, its greatest asset i.e. Sarva Dharma Samabhav
Surely Hindus must arm and fight an eye for an eye. But in doing so they must not be seen as a poor caricature of the Abrahamic cousins.
Instead of defending violence over Gau raksha, how about addressing the flaws that plague Hindus. Where, for instance, we give more to Temples than to charitable causes and then decry the govt as it fritters away temple wealth.
If every Hindu focuses on one small act/deed/thought that lies at the core of Hinduism - tolerance, respect for nature, the oneness of the Universe....we will be prepared to welcome the world when it finally comes to its senses.
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