WILL HINDUISM OVERTAKE CHRISTIANITY? - Part III

by Dr. K N Bastola

Strategies for preservation and propagation of Hinduism-

Use money properly-

As stated above, this is the first time, in the history of India that lay people have become millionaires/billionaires, because of the advance in software technology. Hindus should take advantage of this and invest properly in the things mentioned below.

Use media-

Media plays a very important role in deciphering knowledge and creating impressions. Sadly, in case of India the Hindu organisations have not been able to influence the media there. They need to have advisors trained in the west, specially the USA, to give them advice regarding propagation of its image and philosophies. Bajpai has these sorts of advisors and India is changing its laws to propagate Internet Technology in India. While Hindu organizations are dedication they do not have expertise in propagating their deeds. They do not seem to have the ability, to shout and say what they are doing. Like Bajpai, they should have spin-doctors. It is amazing that they have not been able to influence even a few central Indian newspapers. The media with its pseudo secular forces have given a bad impression, to the Hindu organizations, as well as India, there. This is definitely not good. Television is the most powerful medium. Christians have used it exhaustively. Hindus should learn from them. Hindus should go for this. The massage should be both philosophical and spiritual. It also needs more magazines. While we have one magazine called Hinduism Today, it tends more to delve into cultural side rather than, the philosophical or the spiritual side. There should be booklet of frequently asked questions for students. We need to have more books like Am I a Hindu by Ed Viswanathan, which became a best seller in the USA.

In the west, for Group one, as mentioned above, the Gurus are doing all right. For group two, I think more is needed to be done. All methods of communication should be used. Gradually books on Hinduism are allowed in section of religion, in the bookstores. While books and Internet web pages are increasing in number we need to concentrate on other forms of communication including, TV, newspapers and films. It is a shame that we have only few standard Hindu magazines like Hinduism today. We need more of those types of magazines. TV is the most powerful of medium. Hindus should learn from Christian TV programs as suggested above.

Hinduism does not only rely on prayer alone, for betterment of life. There are various ways of dealing with difficulties and coming out of them like puja, yagna, gemstones etc. Hinduism is a practical religion for both ascetics as well as families. A Hindu can use all the above said methods and live a happy and contented life. This makes Hinduism a very sophisticated religion. Hinduism is not only a belief in God, it is much more than that. It is important that a Hindu uses the amenities provided by the religion, including Vedas and astrology- occasional visit to a temple is not enough because this is also done by the followers of Semitic religions. There is no point in conversion to Hinduism, just for the sake of a new God and a new place to worship e.g. temple. It is well known fact that many non-Hindus come to Hindu gurus who have shakti for favours. Group 3- For this group, specially the growing up children whose parents do not have the answer, should be given answers to their questions. These are simple question like, why we don't eat beef and things like that. They should not feel humiliated in the class. They should have the answer to give it to their classmates. Parent education can be instituted in the temples. Temple should be a source of education and not only of puja. It should be a place of social guidance. The priest should be trained and it must be stated here clearly that anybody can get the training and become a priest. While many Hindus are fascinated by different Vedantic philosophies and are happy to discuss about them deeply, they don't seem to concentrate on the fact that, these students need answers about day to day living. This is very much needed. If the Hindu intellectuals don't concentrate on this and help the students, they risk loosing Hindus and jeopardise the future of Hinduism. We need more books for Hindu students. One of the problems Hindu society is facing is Hindus girls are marrying people of other faiths, especially Muslims and becoming Muslims. Hindus should make groups/organisation of girls to guide them.

3. Re-conversion of the converted-- One of the problems with Christianity is that once they convert people to Christianity, they do not continue with the care. So they are left out. These people can be reconverted back to Hinduism, with dignity. This process though being done, has to be done in a larger scale.

4. Protect the only Hindu country, Nepal--This country is being eaten up by Christians, because of very vulnerable situation there. The vulnerable state is because of poverty and rampant corruption. The political leaders do not have dignity there. Many of them are on sale. People are looking for a change, to get out of the mess they are in. Christianity with its money does provide the alternative. Important factor is however there are only very few resistant force like RSS or VHP there. The forces like Viswa Hindu Federation and Hindu Swemsewak Sangh, lack resources, manpower, technology and also the energy. This country has huge symbolic importance to the Hindus. It should be saved at all cost. If it is lost there won't be a single Hindu country in the world, which will be shame for all Hindus. In fact some, in Nepal, are planning to get rid of the word Hindu nation, in the Nepalese constitution. The division between tribal and non tribal are being increased, with the tribal being told to say they are not Hindus. This rift has to be broken and the tribals have to be given prominent posts in Hindu bodies. This will unite Hindus. If Hindus do not act now within a few years, it will be too late. Hindus also need to have a political front, in the form of political party in Nepal-, which should be given every support it needs. This will help them to unite and give them strength. It has to be understood that like Kashmir is said to be the head of India (map) and hence has got its effects on the Indian psyche, Nepal is the head of Hindus and therefore should have its effects on the Hindu psyche as well.

5. While it is well known that the major driving factor in Christianity was miracles, it is amazing to note that Hindu gurus shy away from miracles. The Sidhas, should not do miracles, to show off and be arrogant, but it is important that they show some miracles, so that people can have their doubts removed. The gurus should remember that while doing so they are contributing to world peace at large, in the long run. Yes some yogis are doing that which occasionally comes in the news. History is witness to the awe of the Greeks, watching Hindu yogi, sitting in fire with no harm, more than 2000 years ago. These things should be done in the west in live TV.

6. Special target groups- Renowned people including stars and the religious leaders of the other faiths should be apprised of Hinduism. One of the problems of not doing so is the attack against Hinduism by the southern Baptist church, which was basically the result of ignorance, on the part of the church. If miracles are included, then it will be quick and impressive. I am not sure if any attempt has been made to convert people and religious leaders in the Vatican City.

7. Yoga and meditation- These are increasing in popularity every day. Yoga is taken though in the form of exercise. Its popularity is such that even Time magazine gave it a cover page. When Oprah presented a yoga teacher in her TV show it increased the number of people joining yoga tremendously. Some Hindus are not happy with the superficial way these are taught in the west. Though the essence of yoga and meditation is not taught, but still what ever is taught, becomes a preliminary stage for further interest, in deeper understanding of the yoga. It is definitely a positive step. Practice of yoga or meditation, in any form, is a positive step. It is like a Christian leaflet.

8. Hindu schools- While Christian schools made the Hindus less Hindus, rather than Christians, Hindus should learn from them and establish more schools, rather than temples. Islamic countries are full of Madrassas - even Nepal is becoming full of Madrassas. What about Hindus living as minorities in the Muslim countries? While Pakistan gives scholarships to Muslims of other countries, to study (Christians also do the same) I am sure Hindus can do the same, for the underprivileged and persecuted minority Hindus, in Muslim countries. It is also important, that we give importance to schools, more than the temples as stated above.

9. Unity- Hindus are not very good when it comes to unity and raising voice. They should learn about them, from the Muslims. Regarding language, while the mantras can be chanted in Sanskrit, rest of the proceedings can be done in English (in the west). English becomes important, for unity, because we have all been educated in the western system. One does not have to learn local Indian languages to learn Hinduism. Some Hindus are doing a good job of translating Hindu scriptures into English, which is good because average Hindu does not have a clue about Sanskrit.

10. Glamour- Glamour is very important because world revolves around glamour. Remember Mother Teresa, how she was glamorized by the western press? Lay people accept glamour easily because it acts as a gold standard, which every body wants to reach. Hinduism has to be glamorized and made cool. Hindu organizations, which are struggling for a good name, should be glamorized. Putting a bindi and henna are cool, in the west nowadays. With the help of media we need to glamorize our philosophy and people, who do seva should be glamorised. In the olden days, if the King and the higher echelons of the society adapted certain philosophy, the lay people followed because that was glamorous. Spread of Islam in Egypt was partly due to this. Hindu organizations have to come forward and answer to criticisms and show their positive expects. So long as they remain as they are now, Hindus will not feel very happy in associating with themselves with those organizations, but if the organizations are made glamorous then I am sure thousands of Hindus, will crave to join them.

11. Positive Racism--We generally talk about racism in Europe- how the darker races are mistreated there. We how ever forget to mention how the whites are treated in the developing world. The racism faced by the darker people, in the west, is negative racism, where as, the racism faced by the whites in the third world, is positive racism. People in the developing countries have a very high opinion/impression about the white man coming from the west. To give an example there was a renowned consultant in a hospital in the subcontinent, who had a trainee junior from Germany. The consultant occasionally used to be embarrassed, when some villagers would express their desire, to have the operation done by the trainee rather than him. In this context, I would like to say that white Hindus could help, in the process of re-conversion. It makes the layman think that there must be something in the previous religion, which they have failed to understand and changed, but the white man has understood.

12. Lobbying groups--Like the Jews, Indians are creating their own bodies of influence, in the USA. With further progress, they will create influence, on the formation of rules and regulation, which might help survival and propagation of Hinduism. This has to spread to other western countries as well.

13. Hindu universities--Can any Hindu think of a Hindu university in Pakistan or Bangladesh or even Dubai? It is a shame that some Hindus only recently started a Hindu nerve centre, like Hindu Vivek Kendra, and that also following advice from a westerner. Hinduism needs, more universities and research centres, like the one under Prof. David Frowley. Hinduism is the most misunderstood of religions. It is because very little research has been done to understand it. That’s why it has got a very bad name. We have to do research on our past. We need to go to China and the Far East, to find the History of India. The Hindus have no intellectual authority to turn to. There are thousands of books about India’s past rotting in un-cared libraries across the country, making us rely only on the western version of our history and religion. There is very little research. That is why a Hindu university is very much essential. Archaeological studies have to be enhanced. It is a shame, that the archaeological survey of Dwarika, which could prove the reality of Mahabharata, is not proceeding well, because of lack of only £300,000, which is not costlier than some of the temples, being built, in many parts of the west. It seems the Hindus have supported the bhakti system very much leaving the gnana path unattended. Donation of 1 million pounds for the Millennium dome can be noted. Now the Hindus have money, they should use it properly.

14. Social work--While there are a lot of Hindu social workers, there are not made prominent by the press. This is because Hindus have not yet recognised the power of media to express their work. They should learn to use this great power. There are many indophiles, in the western press. These people should be asked to write about them. However the western press is interested, more in the activities, of white men and women. Hindus can show, the social work done by white Hindu and glamorise him/her. The concept of "Seva is dharm" should be projected, glamorised and the person doing seva has to be given due respect. The teaching of Niskam Karma, which has been misunderstood, simply means work for the welfare of the society and it is so important, that it leads to salvation (Mokchha). This has to be apprised and enforced. While people tend to concentrate on Yoga and Meditation we should not forget, the equally potent concept of Niskam Karma.

15.Dalits --The Dalits are the result of distorted Hindu culture, which goes against the principle of Vedas hence it is not a part of Hindu religion as such. Hinduism describes 4 varnas not 5. Since this distorted Hindu culture-- I should rather say a shame of Hindu culture, is prevalent in India, it has to be stamped out. They need to be given training on Hindu scriptures. According to their ability they can be Brahmans. If there is any problem of their acceptance as Brahmans, (I must say society at times is very cruel) the learned Hindus should form an organisation, which should wholeheartedly accept them as pundits and take their help in conducting pujas. This will help them tremendously. If Hindus only concentrate on giving them western education, Hindus will lose them, and they may even go against the so-called higher cast. Women priests are becoming popular because people are finding them, more trustworthy. More women need to be trained. The present Hindu culture needs to be elevated to the Vedic standard.

16. Neo Hindus--They should be welcome. They should be treated like any other Hindu. They should have the rights and privileges, extended to any other Hindu. To take a policy of making a separate temple for them is a defeatist policy, which might lead to further segregation of Hindus, creating an entirely new class. This might lead to a different culture, leading to complete separation of these two groups, which will be very sad for Hinduism. The policy should rather be education of the Hindus who don’t except them, because of their ignorance.

17. Cast system--The varna system has been very much distorted and has ended up as cast system. Manu, in his attempt to creat a pure society, crossed his boundary and went against the teachings of the Vedas. This I would call madness of purity. Some Hindus faithfully followed him, which, along with other factors, has created this distorted Hindu culture. There are some suggestions that the original book of Manu has been modified. It has to be understood that like Manu smriti there are other smriti books as well. These are individual opinions given by ‘professors’, which were followed by only a small part of the Hindu population. These are just individual opinions given by people who enjoyed the freedom of expression provided by the same culture. Among the smrities Manu smriti was popularised by the British and was erroneously projected as the Hindu law book. Most of the Hindus however were governed by their own biradaries.

Whatever Manu smriti is, the important thing is, a distorted culture has been handed down to us. Now it becomes our duty, as intelligent people, to understand our highest holy scripture and if any other book has written, anything against those books, it has to be discarded as against Hinduism. Education and training should be free to everybody including women and labourers, if they are serious about learning - even the Vedas. How could Narad Rishi who was the son of a maidservant, be a Rishi, if he hadn't got a chance to read the Vedas? Women like men have the right to salvation, so they should not be restricted in any way- Gargi is an example. While the Semitic religions, in the past, had some women, who were scholars of religion, Hinduism is the only religion, which can boast of females not only as scholars but as writers of their Holy Scriptures as well.

Every person born is a Sudra, to begin with. He/she becomes of certain varna only after training. The verna is not fixed for life it changes according to the training and circumstances. Krishna was born a Vaishya, but he fought battles and ruled like Kchatria, because of his training and circumstance. He could teach the Vedas and take priesthood as a profession and become a Brahmin. When Manu discusses varna according to birth, he is going against the Vedas and other older scriptures and hence it is not Hinduism he is enhancing. Similarly his acceptance of untouchability is against Hinduism. Hinduism teaches respect for animals and plants as well, how can it teach untouchability? A Hindu sees aatma not only in human beings but animals as well and considers them as part of God. Pashu seva is included in Niskam Karma. If something is part of God, and we strive to get God, how can that body be untouchable? While some of Manu’s ideas are good, they should be followed, while others, which are against the higher scriptures, should be dumped. The Smirty has been the biggest pain for Hindus- perhaps Hinduism could do without that book or books of its kind.

Sadly, cast system is deeply routed in the society, this has to be routed out by proper religious knowledge and the ones in the bottom should be given due respect in the society, by giving them training to be Brahmins as stated above. While the greater stigma of Christianity, slavery, was irradiated by a stroke of a pen because it involved financial transaction, despite untouchability being outlawed by law, it has been difficult to eradicate it from the society, like racism in the west.

PART IV

Future of Christianity--Christianity continues to enjoy support in the developing world, where education is minimal. It has a good side as well as bad side. Its advertisement of the good side makes it palatable to the general masses, of the developing countries. Its activities in the church are rather glamorous, to the materialistic mind. Yes though the poor have the right to go to heaven, and Jesus himself has been projected as poor (though I must say that there is a conflicting evidences here), the church and its acts inside it, are generally rich and the powerful priests are far from the servants Jesus asked his followers to become. This has also contributed positively to the un- inquiring mind. Its bad side can only be discerned by further study. While Christianity looks glamorous to begin with, partly because it is taken to be the religion of the glamorous west, it is not so attractive, on further study. Look at the comments of Mark Twain "It ain't the parts of the Bible I can't understand that bothers me; it is the parts I understand". Other great minds have commented similarly. Hinduism is the opposite, it is rather strange to the beginners but very attractive to the people who have studied it deeply.

Pope recently visited India, where he asked the Christians to harvest Asia. This was unexpected even for the local Christians, who were taken aback to the defence. To accept invitation to go to a friends house and then to say, in his face, that the philosophy/beliefs of the host, is wrong and stupid, and should change to his philosophy, needs a lot of guts. While everybody is talking about the challenge and all, can anybody see the pain, which has led the Pope to say what he has? Can anybody see the vanishing Catholic religion in the intellectual centre like Europe? Are the eastern philosophies creating havoc in Europe's intelligentsia? The question is, will Catholic religion vanish from the Europe? With only 50% of Christians believing in God, its future doesn’t seem to be so good. It is well known that the Pope is, very critical of Buddhist philosophy. The offence, which has come out, is because of fear. In the developing countries yes, Christianity is rising because of lack of education and hence conversion.

Talking about India, we have seen that despite the Indians being educated in missionary schools, the only thing the Christians could do, was make them less Hindu. However Christianity has influenced the uneducated and the semi-educated group. These groups are the socially deprived. Christianity gives them materialistic gain and shows them the positive side of it, and makes a bargain for their conversion to Christianity. Putting things bluntly, the Christian is effectively making a bargain by saying "I give you the money and the service, you give me the religion" As the economic condition of these countries improves, we can expect less conversion. And of course the opposition from the local religious group is also very important. So long as Christians have money, and there remain underprivileged groups, in the third world, their number will increase. This is true in respect to Hindu and Buddhist areas, but to a very limited extent, in Muslim areas, because in that religion the punishment for conversion is death, in practice, in the modern world, however, it is social exclusion if one is in Islamic country.

I think, specially the Buddhist countries are at risk of Christian conversion, because the religious leaders there might not be aware of the result of conversion like Indians are. Here it has to be clearly mentioned that it is not the battle of philosophies, which decides the fate of religion in the developing countries, like the discussion between Adi Shankaracharya and the Buddhist gurus in the past, It is the economic gain. Christians leaders talk about the love of Jesus while cleverly avoiding the Biblical rules, which govern mankind. If the Christians in Europe can glamorise their religion by songs and dances and the so-called miracles, like in the USA, then yes, it can have a future in Europe. But without that, it is not going to be a smooth sailing for the Christians in Europe. The churches are lacking in the number of choirboys. In America one has to view as to when the Americans will be fed up with the TV rhetoric. Since it is being encroached by other religions, it does not hold a very bright future, especially from the point of view that the white Americans have started thinking that they are loosing.

Important thing is, Christian religion has rules, associated with its dogma. Many Christians do not know what is written in the Bible. As told, they know only about love and Jesus. People in the modern world don't like to stick to rules. They like the freedom of creating their own rules. The development of hundreds of sects, is the result of modification and creation of new rules. It is a process of creating a new religion, with the same old Jesus/God, or the one, which is available, which is essential for religion.

In the modern times, because of communication, CHEAP LABOUR, if associated with stable government and proper incentive for business and industry, is the biggest resource. This attracts multinational companies. A country does not essentially need gold mine etc. as resources, to attract foreign investors, as in the past. Because of growth of industry, poor countries will develop. Once countries develop and the level of education rises, the pattern of thinking will be that of Europeans. This is not good for Christianity. Since the Catholic religion does not want to change its rules, it takes with it all the controversy. This is not good for the European Christianity vis a vis the modern world. It may have some extra followers in the developing world for the time being, its future in the developed world in the long run is not good. However, evangelical religion, the American Christianity, will prosper so long as America follows that religion. Since North America is being eaten up by other religions, even the American Christianity may not survive long. Yes Christianity has a good hold in South America and parts of Africa, but this may change, if things change in America. It has to be understood here that USA is the world leader, in almost every branch of knowledge. It is in many ways, the centre of philosophy. If another religion overtakes Christianity, in USA, it will be the gold standard and glamorous. Its philosophy will be the overriding factor in the world philosophy and the other countries including South America will simply follow the glamour. In view of USA, I think it is important to touch briefly, the fastest growing religion in USA today i.e. Islam- Yes Islam is said to be the fastest growing religion in the USA.

It is difficult to say the quality of converts, whether most of the converts are from the intellectual group, like the doctors, lawyers etc or from the not so intellectual group like labourers, convicts etc. However a recent incident in Pakistan does point to the lack of respect by the Muslims, for the Islamic philosophy. A judge decided, according to Islamic religious philosophy (eye for an eye), to give cruel death sentence to the person who killed several children. But the Government and the intellectuals in Pakistan (who are western educated) felt embarrassed about the decision, just before President Clinton's visit. This sort of attitude of Muslim intellectuals, does not allow Islam to ripen as an intellectual philosophy of the world, because, if the people who are supposed to follow the philosophy are not proud of it then, it is unlikely, that philosophy will be respected and adhered to, by others. Truly Islamic countries like Afghanistan and Iran have not been able to gather respect from the intellectuals. Some Muslims do not consider, even Iran and Afghanistan, to be truly Islamic, which makes it difficult to study the civilisation, which is purely Islamic, for comparison. The victory of progressive forces in Iran is not good for Islam. There are 5 major enemies of Islam 1. Growing number of writers are coming out of fear and writing books criticising Islam 2. Growing number of western educated Muslim women, especially from Iran and Afghanistan, are criticising the status of woman in Islam. 3. Lack of respect of Islam by western educated Muslims as stated above. 4. Lack of unity amongst Muslim factions and leaders (shia and sunni as well as others) and the difficulty in selecting a Khalipha. 5. Internet- there is a fight going on between Christianity and Islam in the Internet -one showing the weaknesses of the other. The humanist sites are particularly critical of Islam. Since modern civilisation and Islamic civilisations are different and because of the fact that most of the Internet users are influenced by the western civilisation and have a western view of things the Islamic world does face difficulty in explaining the people the Islamic rationale. While criticising Islam is prohibited in the Islamic countries, perhaps this is the first time the Muslims have had to face such criticisms openly in the Internet. This is why, Islam may have increase in number of its followers, but may not be a world guiding intellectual religion.

In view of the above factors, I do not see a very favourable future for Christianity, specially the European Christianity, but I do see a bright future for Hinduism. I therefore will not be surprised, to see Hindu philosophy, guiding the modern world, in the later part of this century.