I know nothing about my own religion?

Question

Ok my parents were born in India so they are hindu's, and i was born in america, and am also a Hindu, but because i was bought up in the states, and have only visited India a few times, i know practically NOTHING about Hinduism! I cant even speak the language! Does that mean I'm NOT a hindu? Then what AM i? I believe in God. i know he exists. But the thing is i am kind of going through a tough time at the moment, and seeing as i am only 12, i have little power over any of it. So i am turning to faith and prayer to help me through this. But i dotn really know about the religion or how i am supposed to pray. We have a gods shrine in our den and i go to it and pray, or i jsut pray anywhere, but am i supposed to say or do anything specific? Its really confusing for me. Plus i feel liek i have no culture or anything. I'm not exactly american, but i know nothign about India! What do i do?

Answer 1

Start learning. You've got a computer, so it's not impossible for you to study.

Hinduism is not a single belief system; some are monotheistic, some are polytheistic, pantheistic, etc. So you really need to discover not only if you are a hindu, but what you believe within that context.

Try reading the Vedas and you might get an idea of your own history. See if it fits.

Good luck,

--Dee

Answer 2

Research your religion via the net. Ask your parents some questions. Maybe, the family could visit India. As a kid;My best friends was Hindu. I attended more religious functions that I am able to remember. I'm Italian-French American. I was raised in a Roman Catholic household. I understood that my friend, Rajendra, was unable to eat pork and beef because of the religious symbolism.

I do remember that there were specific rituals and rites of passage. Have you ever attended a Hindu wedding? Look at the clothing(a red sari for the bride)and then there are the marigolds! I have since forgotten the meaning of the flowers. The dieties are some incredible representations. Look at Krishna or Vishnu? One diety can represent so many things through different facades. The places of worship are incredible such as the River Ganges-I would say that's the holiest place in India! Go online and look up various areas in Queens, New York. There is a TREMENDOUS Indian population there.

Answer 3

Hinduism is based on the Vedas and Upanishads. A lot of Hinduism (like in Vedas) are rights and rituals which will not do you any good. Go to library or bookstore and read the Upanishads. Also the most popular book in India is the Ramayana by Tulsidas. Read that.

See site below to learn more about yourself and the ESSENCE of your religion. It has a quote from the Katha Upanishad (my favorite). Plus it has info from modern psychologists. The purpose of religion is so you can feel perfect peace, limitless happiness and feel the unitive state or the perfect state of consciousness according to yoga.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia on Hinduism: "The Upanishads state that whoever becomes fully aware of the ātman [soul] as the innermost core of one's own self, realises their identity with Brahman and thereby reaches Moksha (liberation or freedom [enlightenment])."

Answer 4

When you pray at the alter you are calling on the qualities of the Deity. The net and many good books on this faith. Very old also. I have always been drawn to that religions writings and never been to India or know it's culture. But the experience of the teachings makes me want to go!

Answer 5

A fresh mind is a great mind. You haven't been tainted with all the religious propaganda that rivals nazi/communist value systems.

Read a book about all the faiths and test each one against logic. Faith has evolved, like everything else. You'll remove the belief crap out of it and will be left with the reality of life. The reality of life is the right thing to focus on, not the stories.

Answer 6

I see that you want answers and indeed God will answer you.

It is a good step that you have made that you believe in God. The God who made the heaven and the earth.

I have a friend who lives in India. He is Hinda by birth, but believes in God as well. Now God loves everyone, including you.

Now everyone has a choice to make. Many people like your parents worship a god, but there is only one true God.

Would you like to know the true God? Would you like to experience a God who loves you, care about you, talks to you, listen to you.

I will like to introduce to you the loving God in heaven, that I know. I know that he has establish he existents to you already because you believe in him.

He wants to work in your life. He wants to show you not only what he can do for you, but what he can give you. That is the gift of Jesus Christ.


Now don't worry about culture. Culture is not the most important thing right now.
Culture sets us apart.
God brings us together.

Now I want you to prayer to God in heaven, and prove for yourself if he answers your prayer. Whether it be Yes, No, or Wait.


God loves you. He want to show you that he is real and is willing to help you not only in this time of trouble, but always.

Answer 7

There are a lot of people out there who know much about the religion they belong to, and yet they are not practicing any of the rituals - I would be one of them. A prayer is a way to comunicate, to speak with god and you should do that they way you feel to, people tried to teach me how to do it their way but it didn't work.

Be happy you were not indoctrinised with some religion, and find your own way by learning about many religions. Reading a history of religions book is a revelation

Answer 8

You're definitely not a hindu - you believe in a single god, not multiple gods - and no, you don't *know* one exists, you just believe it.

Here's the thing: the more you learn about different religions the more you'll realize they're all pure nonsense.

Are you ready to start learning yet? You're young, you could give it a few more years.

Answer 9

Ahh so young... you just have to learn a little bit. Don't get stressed over it. You're young enough that you shouldn't be worrying about this sort of thing too much. Enjoy your last days of youthful innocence.

Answer 10

Go to India?