Why DON'T people understand that Hinduism is a monotheist religion?

Question

It drives me nuts! I just posted a question asking why Judaism is considered the oldest religion. Everyone says because they are refering to MONOTHEISTIC religions.

Here's my explaination:
Hinduism has one god. Not several gods like the pagans did, like the Greeks and such. OUR one god, has multiple forms, with different names.

Now what are your thoughts?

Do some research and stuff, before you think that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion.

It's very hurtfull for me, a 13 year old Hindu girl to hear, from other people on this website, that Hinduism is a devil worshiping relgion.

Answer 1

I'll confess ignorance and admit that I haven't researched Hinduism myself. But to answer your question, people often believe what they're told. I've heard from teachers in school, speakers at church, and other sources that Hinduism has multiple gods. This is the first I've heard anyone claim that Hinduism has only one god. Perhaps I will look it up.

Answer 2

I consider the difficulty comes with the truth that there are a quantity of various interpretations of Hinduism. While your interpretation is monotheistic (or maybe monistic), different men and women see the a couple of incarnations as being seperate. That those exceptional interpretations can exist - regularly with little friction among them - baffles such a lot Westerners, who're used to a rather extra concrete view (in spite of the oddity with the Christian's monotheistic trinity, that's rather similar.) Most Westerners are mindful totally of the polytheistic interpretation, and so cross with that.

Answer 3

I think the issue comes with the fact that there are a number of varying interpretations of Hinduism. While your interpretation is monotheistic (or perhaps monistic), other folks see the multiple incarnations as being seperate.

That these different interpretations can exist - sometimes with little friction between them - baffles most Westerners, who are used to a somewhat more concrete view (despite the oddity with the Christian's monotheistic trinity, which is somewhat comparable.) Most Westerners are aware solely of the polytheistic interpretation, and so go with that.

Answer 4

It depends on what you mean by monotheistic and polytheistic. Hinduism is monotheistic in the sense of believing that God is one, but polytheistic in the sense that it regards as equally valid the worship of many different manifestations of God e.g. Krishna, Ganesha, Kali, etc.

This is an oversimplification, of course. Hindu theology is more subtle and complex than this, and I don't pretend to fully understand it.

People in the "monothesitic" traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam have a lot of trouble getting their heads around this, because they generally have the idea that there is only one valid way of conceiving of God.

Answer 5

Well that's news to me. I have always thought that the Hindu religion had many gods. When I was in Iraq, there were hundreds of Gurkhas serving as security. They were Hindus. I never asked about their religion, but we have always seen pictures of the god Siva, and the goddess Kali. I don't understand how it is a monotheistic religion, but I will have to do some research. You have made me curious.

Answer 6

We say religions saying there is only one god as monotheistic.

Actually Hinduism says "There is ONLY GOD". All perceptions of manifestations of GOD in GOD.

Rig Veda says "Ekaha satyam vipraha bahuda vadanti". The truth is one, the wise speak of it in different terms.

Just like the dreamer being one and the dream world is perceived in him without him undergoing any change. So it is right to say that every character in the dream is nothing but the dreamer.

So too Hinduism states that every deva (natural force) is GOD.

So it appears as polytheistic but its more than being monotheistic.

Answer 7

Don't listen to people that say Hinduism is a devil worshipping religion. Chances are they are Xtian and say that to everyone who doesn't share their beliefs. Don't worry about it. They go so far as to call me and all my people "the anti-chrst."

Excuse me for the spelling, but doesn't Hinduism believe in Brahman, which is basically "G-d" or the universal deity/power? And that somehow, (like a glass globe being dropped) Brahman was shattered? And then people, animals, and the "gods" are all part of Brahman? When a glass globe breaks, all the pieces aren't the same size. The gods are the bigger pieces, people smaller pieces, and so on. So in a way Hinduism is alot like Xtianity: three gods in one being, many gods in one being.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I think Hinduism is an interesting and beautiful faith with many rich traditions behind it, and I'd love to learn more about it than I was taught in Global Studies.

Answer 8

Because it's not a monotheistic religion - it's more properly a pantheistic or panentheistic one. A monotheistic religion has a single God, transcendent (separate from his creation). If I understand Hinduism properly, Brahmin is not like that. All creation is part of him.

I think it would be more accurate to call Hinduism polytheistic than monotheistic, because polytheistic religions do not believe their gods to be absolutely like a monotheistic god - if not truly accurate, then closer than calling it monotheistic. By the way, pantheistic or polytheistic are not insults, they are simply descriptive.

Answer 9

i actually learned about hinduism in social stuidies class a few months ago

and all about the different faces of brahman and the avataras of certain gods may be other gods

--sorry if i got info wrong, its been a while

sicne people don't know of brahman and these reincarnated souls, they think there are different gods for different things

like the ancient greeks: hades, poseidon, apollor, zeus, etc.

thats probably why

*and hinduism is NOT a devil-worshipping pagan religion

its just a bit different from what some people in the western world perceive to be a religion

ignorant fools

Answer 10

I don't understand your train of thought that requires people to feel obligated to understand any religion. All religion is just ancient fairytales full of hype. Why not set a standard of morals and just call it the rules of life with no attachment to a fantasy superior being , afterlife, etc. All religion is paganism and foolishness. Start using the brain nature gave you and quit being so arrogant as to think you have an answer to anything especially when your beliefs like other religions are laughable.