Isn't Christianity just a sect of Hinduism?

Question

Aren't most modern religions sects of Hinduism?

Buddhism stemmed directly from Hinduism.

If you study Christianity it is basically Buddhism with the Hindu concept of Avatars and the Hindu end times prophecy.

Judaism has a similar concept of what God wants as Hinduism minus the Avatars

Why does it all seem to go back to Hinduism?

Answer 1

Many religions have a passing similarity to Hinduism because Hinduism is a very varied religion, with a number of different sects with different beliefs- so it is at the same time monotheistic and polytheistic. It's not a matter of actual descent.

The Buddhism-Hinduism link is well documented, it's much the same as the Judaism-Christianity link.

Judaism is not related to Hinduism; at the time of its creation, Hinduism had not reached the Brahminist stage and was still an entirely polytheistic religion. Judaism is descended from Mesopotamian sun-worship, which developed completely independently.

Hinduism has no End Times prophecy, as Hindus believe in circular, rather than linear, time. The link between avatars and Jesus isn't particuarly strong, and is very likely coincidence. There are a number of parallels between Krishna and Jesus; however, this is probably the result of a cross-pollination between the Jesus and Krishna myths, not because one is descended from the other.

So no, Christianity isn't a sect of Hinduism.

Answer 2

I like some of what the best answer says but I believe to say there is no link between Judaism and Hinduism is false.. The purpose of religion is supposed to be truth and god therefore if there is any truth to these religions then the connection would be that is an alternate explanation and a different perspective on truth and god.. I think its interesting that Hinduism accepts Jesus as an incarnation of god or as the supreme yogi.. Therefore, Christianity becomes part of Hinduism whether it likes it or not.. So pretty much what i. Saying is if there are any "coincidental" similarities between religions, the similarities could not be considered simply "coincidental" as we're all living on the same reality so the similarities would have to have a correlation.. And if Hinduism is willing to accept Christianity then Christianity is indeed a sect of Hinduism.. If they say that this all fits into our worldview then it is part of it.

Answer 3

"Isn't Christianity just a sect of Hinduism? "
Mr. Nolte,
No.

"Aren't most modern religions sects of Hinduism?"
No.

"Buddhism stemmed directly from Hinduism."
Okay, if you say so.

"If you study Christianity it is basically Buddhism with the Hindu concept of Avatars and the Hindu end times prophecy."
Really? Who makes the covering for sin?

"Why does it all seem to go back to Hinduism?"
Maybe because Hindu is fun to say. Hindu, Hindu, Hindu.

Answer 4

From Judaism sprang both Christianity and Islam. These three traditions are referred to as "Abrahamic Traditions" by religious scholars. When compared to Eastern and South Asian traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, etc., intrinsic differences make themselves very apparent.

Most of the similarities one would point out are just the factors that make a religion a "religion" in the first place.

*update*

Hinduism is supposed to be the oldest surviving religion in the world today, however "ancient Hinduism" or Vedic religion, has little to do with Hinduism today. This, of course, is barring any tribal religions which survive from ancient times, and there happen to be a number of these in remote locations.

Keep in mind one very important thing: The umbrella term "Hindu" encompasses so many different traditions that are not necessarily unified or standardized in any way. What you have in areas where the predominant religion is Hinduism really is a bunch of different local traditions, beliefs, rituals and customs which had this neat little label attached by outsiders. When other people started up with calling Indian religion "Hindoo" the Indians were kind of like, "wtf are they calling us?"

Some of the similarities you might point out, though, may just be from the ecumenical movement. There has been a huge blending of cultures in the past century, and many are embracing the views of other cultures and infusing their own culture into others'. In that case it would be a matter of the current state of religion(s) rather than the founding principles.

Answer 5

Good thought...I'd hate to embarrass you Sho-Nuff BUT:
1. Christianity is the continuation of Judaism. The only difference is that some Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, some did not.
2. Jesus is Jewish & was raised in a VERY JEWISH culture. The only major exterior influence in the land of Palastine was Roman & possibly Greek culture.
3. I beleive that Hinduism contains SOME truth because I believe in the general revelation of God & in God's love for ALL people.
4. I believe, as does the Bible, that God was first however, many people have decided to NOT follow that God & as a result made up their own religions or choose to follow whatever they think is best.
5. In the past God has overlooked people's ignorance, but now he has called all people to once again be united and return to a relationship with Him through the one he sent, Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

First of all, there are two types of faiths in the world: Abrahamic and Dharmic. Islam, Christianity and Judaism are part of Abrahamic, and they all stem from the same religion.

Hinduism, Buddhism, jainism etc are Dharmic, and all these religions stem from Hinduism.

To answer your question, Hinduism is not a religion. That's just a western name. it's a culture, a part of it's believer's lives. Hinduism is part of the world and society and encompasses everything - philosophy, math, sciences, faith, morality, nature - everything. And, it's also very old.

That's why it beares similarities to all other religions.

Answer 7

What???? If you are counting Jesus Christ as an Avatar then I can see where you are coming from, but let me state that us Christians having nothing to do with Hinduism. Hinduism has to do with many and I mean many Gods and Christianity deals with one God in three persons (the Trinity). We belive Christ is our savior who died on a cross and rose again three days later. Read the Bible it has hardly anything in common with Hinduism buddy.

Answer 8

I think the greatest difference between Hinduism and Christianity is that Hindus honor all paths to heaven and humbly say that all others have the right to enter first while Christians declare that they are the only ones who can enter heaven and/or push themselves to the front of the line.

Answer 9

This is a pretty cool insight. I hadn't really thought of it that way before. You've got me thinking now. =)
Anyway, it's probably because all religions are connected. If you're a non-believer, you could say they all borrowed ideas from each other. If you are open-minded religious, you could say that whatever the Higher Power is, is what most mainstream religions are worshipping, it's just that some have different ways to explain what or who the Higher Power is, and different ways of acknowledging him/her/it. Some muslims even admit openly that they believe their God is the same God that Christians and Jews acknowledge.
I hope that makes sense. =)

Answer 10

Some people believe that the early books of the old testament have many direct correlations with Hindu scripts used to describe the beginning of earth. However any evidence of this would have been long lost with history so we can never really know.