Why do Christians insist that Hinduism is wrong?

Question

I want to first say that I'm not against Christianity as a religion. All I'm saying is that Christians are very adamant about the idea that Hinduism, as a religion, is inherently wrong. I realize that the fact that Hinduism has many Gods, while Christianity believes that there can only be one God, but still. Why can't Christians respect Hinduism and Hindus?

Answer 1

Thank you for being open to Christians answering this question (of which I am one). You ask three distinct questions, and I respectfully submit my thoughts. Starting with your last question:

1. Christians can (and, I hope, most do) respect Hindus as fellow human beings, struggling to get by in this world and find meaning in life. I'm sure you realize that you are making a generalization which does not apply to all Christians. Whether or not each individual Christian respects each individual Hindu is a matter of personal conduct, but anyone who disrespects a Hindu is not following God's command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (among other things). Assuming you are Hindu, I apologize if you have encountered Christians who have been disrespectful of you practicing your religion. I hope you will try to look beyond their prejudices (and ignorance, to put it bluntly) to their humanity, which I would pray they would do as well.

2. Others have already touched on the basic tenets of Christianity in their answers (hopefully clearly, though I can't vouch for everyone's accuracy), and I've provided a link below, so I won't get into that here. To answer your main question as to why Christians insist that Hinduism is wrong, I would say that all religions have a specific set of beliefs that cannot be reconciled with all other religions because of their contradictions (e.g., some religions believe in one God, some in many gods, and some in no god; some believe in an afterlife, some don't; some believe in reincarnation, others believe we live only one life--not all of these can possibly be true). Therefore, the basic beliefs of Christianity would preclude simultaneous belief in the tenets of Hinduism. True followers of any faith will live their lives (i.e., make choices in their behavior, etc.) based on the principles of that faith and, indeed, view their entire existence through the lens of those beliefs. It logically follows that any beliefs/faiths contrary to theirs would be in error. Hence, true Christians do not and cannot believe that the principles of Hinduism are correct (and vice versa).

3. The last issue, why can't Christians respect Hinduism, is a bit trickier, at least semantically. By "respect", I assume you mean, why don't Christians think it's OK for Hindus to believe what they believe. I think that, theoretically, we shouldn't have a problem with Hindus believing what they do (i.e., we can accept that everyone can believe what they want), but because our faith is so integral to who we are and we believe it to be the one true religion, it is difficult for us to understand why someone would live their life based on what we believe to be error. This may be simplifying it too much, but it would be like respecting the erroneous belief that the sky is not blue or that dogs and cats are the same, etc. Can you respect something that you fundamentally believe is just plain wrong? To put it a different way, one can tolerate (i.e., let exist) the fact that someone believes something contrary to one's own beliefs, but that doesn't mean one has to accept those beliefs as true. But I would end by tying this back to my answer #1, which is that while Christians can't accept Hindu beliefs as true, we can and should accept and embrace Hindus as people, and love them as fellow creations of God, as we are called by our faith to do.

I hope this helps. God bless you! :)

Answer 2

Because Christians and people from other religions usually do not know Hinduism. There is a school of thought in Hinduism whose idea of a monotheistic God is far more stringent than either Christianity, Judaism or Islam. There is even a shcool which is atheist.Polyism, pantheism, shamanism, u name it, it is found here. Yet, there is an underlying unity. Hinduism is like a vast ocean. Different streams flow into it and held there. That's why Hindus have respect for other religions and their form of God. All I can say is Hinduism has been continually practised in some form since primitive times. The Greek, Roman, Arab and other ancient forms of worship have long been forgotten. They are just being revived recently. Yet, Hinduism has survived and even thrived. Before denying its validity, perhaps they should think about that.

Answer 3

I personally don't understand how ANYone who claims to believe in one certain religion can possibly say they don't think theirs is the only way. If you really believe something, you're not going to admit that someone else is right because that would mean that your own beliefs are wrong.
Any Christian who doesn't think Christianity is the only way to God is NOT a real Christian. If we thought there were other ways to God, then what's the point?
I CAN however have respect for all people. But as far as saying Hinduism is wrong...yes it's wrong. But I will still treat Hindus with respect.

Answer 4

Places in the Bible reflect that Christians should try to convert others. For example: Matthew 18:3 "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "

So believe it or not they are not AGAINST Hinduism, but they in their heart want to help you get to heaven.

Hinduism believes in reincarnation. So they feel that the soul will eventually learn from the mistakes they make and get better. Help others by allowing them to come to the answer themselves. Hinduism because of its past started with acceptance and trying to say that "souls are souls" that it is knowledge, and purity that brings the soul to a place where it does not need to be reincarnated. And that because the soul is made of energy, which can't be created or destroyed, that the soul or energy must return until it gains enough knowledge.

Just remember, if you are Hindu, that your strength comes from understanding others. What motivates them, and NOT how their actions affect you.

Answer 5

Fundamental Christians know that believing in anything that isn't in the Bible is not right. Hinduism has become very popular and is very wide spread. It is easy to believe in because you can believe anything you want. There are so many gods that you can chose your own.

I don't disrespect any group of people, but if asked, I would certainly say that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that The One True God that created the universe, is the one I want to spend eternity with. I don't want to be reincarnated forever and come back again and again as most Hindu's believe. I want to sit in God's presence and spend eternity worshiping Him.

Answer 6

Christians respect Hindus but not for their beliefs. Basically, Christians respect Hindus but not Hinduism for God loves sinners but hates sin.

Answer 7

That Hinduism has many Gods is a common misconception. The various qualities and powers of God are given a name and worshipped separately. Thus, Hinduism has Gods or Goddesses for health, wealth, beauty, intelligence, etc. These abstract qualities are personified as idols and worshipped. It is One God worshipped in His various forms of perfection.

This kind of worship is just one of the many forms of devotion in Hinduism. Unfortunately it is the most commonly practiced.

It should be remembered that no religion is wrong or inaccurate about spiritual truths. They all represent different paths to the same God. It just takes some doing in interpreting the scriptures correctly.

Answer 8

They all don't. Many Christians do respect other religions like Hinduism.

Answer 9

Many Christians believe any religion but their own is wrong. And some Christians believe only their own type of Christianity is right, and others are wrong.

I'm not sure if many Christians who put down other religions has spent much time with a Hindu, Muslim, Jew, etc. If they had, they would see the beauty in these religions, and the practices and philosophies contained in them.

Imagine if myself and other Christians simply focused our energy not on judging others but rather on living a Christ-like life? Wouldn't it be great if at this site Hindus and others asked questions like, "Why are Christians so forgiving, compassionate, and unselfish?"

So long as many Christians continue to put down others, others will continue to put down Christians.

Answer 10

Why Hinduism Is Wrong