Universal Hinduism: an enlightening account by an ex-Christian David Frawley on Hinduism and its ethos, writes Koenraad Elst. (Image: Shiva's many symbols).
Most Hindus have no clear idea where their own religion fits in the global religious landscape. Even the most illiterate Christian or Muslim knows that his/her religion was brought into the world in order to supersede all other religions, which of course are "false." But the Hindus’ grasp of their relation to other religions, even (and perhaps especially) among English-speaking literate people, is characterized by crass ignorance and sweet delusions.
In Universal Hinduism, American scholar and Hindu convert David Frawley sets out to clear up this confusion. He takes the reader through the basics that set Hinduism apart from the others, and specific Hindu schools from one another and from Buddhism.
In Universal Hinduism, American scholar and Hindu convert David Frawley sets out to clear up this confusion. He takes the reader through the basics that set Hinduism apart from the others, and specific Hindu schools from one another and from Buddhism. 
He also discusses what it has in common with the world’s eliminated and surviving Pagan religions, and sometimes with forms of Islam and Christianity too. In his typical kindly style, he gives every practice and every belief its due. But he keeps his focus on the potential of the Sanatana Dharma [Eternal Truth] to heal modern society and lead mankind to enlightenment.
One of the most useful parts for Hindus will be Frawley’s discussion of the motivation and strategy behind the missionary penetration of Hindu society. On this, most Hindu nationalist discourse is shrill and ill-informed. It usually amounts to an anachronistic identification of Christianity with “White racism” (which was a passing phase in the Church’s long history).
One of the most useful parts for Hindus will be Frawley’s discussion of the motivation and strategy behind the missionary penetration of Hindu society. On this, most Hindu nationalist discourse is shrill and ill-informed. It usually amounts to an anachronistic identification of Christianity with “White racism” (which was a passing phase in the Church’s long history).
Among other mistakes, this ignores the difference between Catholics and Protestants, with the latter marketing Christianity in India most aggressively. Such sloppiness contrasts sharply with the diligence and thoroughness of the Christian effort in mapping out the Hindu world, theologically as well as sociologically.
Thus, Catholic and Orthodox icon worship is a thinly veiled continuation of Pagan murti-puja [idol adoration], with the Virgin Mary as the acceptable face of the Goddess.
Protestants had already pointed out that much of what endears the Virgin, the Saints, and their idols and pilgrimages to the common worshippers is plain Paganism. The co-optation of Pagan elements into folk Christianity, that is, of the Aztec mother goddess Tonantzin (whose temple in Mexico was forcibly replaced with a chapel) as the Virgen de Guadalupe, is being replayed in India today by the mainstream Churches under the label “acculturation.”By contrast, Evangelical Protestants pursue a more confrontational strategy, labelling Hindu gods "devils" and making no compromise with “idol worship.” They are very straightforward about the essential exclusivism that contrasts Christianity and Islam with pluralistic Hinduism.
On the contention between Hindu nationalism and Hindu universalism, Frawley charts a middle course. Of course, Hinduism is tied to India... More>>
On the contention between Hindu nationalism and Hindu universalism, Frawley charts a middle course. Of course, Hinduism is tied to India... More>>
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