Can you mingle Hinduism with Christianity?

[Desert Snake]

Obviously some people feel it works for them. There are lots of groups that function in that mix. Most people here are describing their personal experience of how it doen't work for them, and then give all kinds of reasoons why they feel that way.

I hope the OP has read enough to make a wise decision, as really, that's what the thread was, no?

Perhaps, only the OP knows that.
Thing is, I wasn't aware of the prevalence of merging them at all.

 

[LuisDantas]

Why do you and others feel they shouldn't be combined?

I can't speak for others, but the way I see it they are simply different paths, with different and somewhat conflicting goals at least at the, for lack of a better word, "student" level.

People often have a hard enough time attaining a constructive, functional understanding of any of them isolated, which is why having good, wise and dedicated religious teachers is such a urgent need.

Attempting to mix both at the same time, particularly before a certain level of religious wisdom is reached, brings a significant risk of merging the weak points of both instead of complementing each other wisely.

For instance, one of the strongholds of Hinduism is its affinity and skill with the use of artistic inspiration, and one of its weaknesses is the reliance on the wisdom, caution and sincere intent of adherents. For Christianity, one main weakness is the nearly-complete reliance on belief in a Creator God that is supposed to be wise and caring despite not really showing it.

A mixed faith could inspire monotheists to realize what a loving all-powerful God is supposed to be by criterious use of well-chosen parables and artistic examples... or it could disastrously mix the arbitrary behavior of the Christian God with the arbitrary aspects and appearance of the various Deva to essentially rid itself of any clear meaning and become an exercise at using religious concepts to justify oneself no matter what.

That might in and of itself still be no worse than either path in isolation. But it would also be more difficult to understand and to correct by the example, examination and loving attention of others.

In essence, it would be taking the responsibility of creating a new religion out of available parts.

 

[Vinayaka]

Perhaps, only the OP knows that.
Thing is, I wasn't aware of the prevalence of merging them at all.

I wouldn't say it is prevalent, but it is out there, and it does work for some, or else those organisations would have disintegrated. The most common cited example is Self-Realisation Fellowship, but I'm sure there are others. Many groups don't advertise.

 

[Desert Snake]

I can't speak for others, but the way I see it they are simply different paths, with different and somewhat conflicting goals at least at the, for lack of a better word, "student" level.

People often have a hard enough time attaining a constructive, functional understanding of any of them isolated, which is why having good, wise and dedicated religious teachers is such a urgent need.

Attempting to mix both at the same time, particularly before a certain level of religious wisdom is reached, brings a significant risk of merging the weak points of both instead of complementing each other wisely.

For instance, one of the strongholds of Hinduism is its affinity and skill with the use of artistic inspiration, and one of its weaknesses is the reliance on the wisdom, caution and sincere intent of adherents. For Christianity, one main weakness is the nearly-complete reliance on belief in a Creator God that is supposed to be wise and caring despite not really showing it.

A mixed faith could inspire monotheists to realize what a loving all-powerful God is supposed to be by criterious use of well-chosen parables and artistic examples... or it could disastrously mix the arbitrary behavior of the Christian God with the arbitrary aspects and appearance of the various Deva to essentially rid itself of any clear meaning and become an exercise at using religious concepts to justify oneself no matter what.

That might in and of itself still be no worse than either path in isolation. But it would also be more difficult to understand and to correct by the example, examination and loving attention of others.

In essence, it would be taking the responsibility of creating a new religion out of available parts.

Valid points I suppose, however I think there are instances when if someone is leaning in a certain direction, to sort of just let them form their own opinions, depends on the question. I do believe in the validity of merger religions, so in all honesty I can't say 'no don't do it unless in personal opinion the religions are incompatible.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

The question for me really isn't "Can you?" - because of course you can. Who's going to stop you? For me the more interesting question is, why would you want to?

If you are attracted to aspects of both, but neither is sufficient by themselves to stand alone, then maybe neither is the answer. I think the desire to merge both is an attempt to avoid dealing with the aspects of each religion an individual feels uncomfortable with. Why not face those issues, read about them, sort them out and really take a stand on how you feel about them?

For example, I personally find the misconception of "Only Indians can be Hindu/ Only those born Hindu can be Hindu" to be an outdated and uncomfortable concept within some parts of Hinduism. However, I have done my best to understand the reasons behind it's inception, and it's evolution and I now know how to discuss this issue with Hindus and non-Hindus alike without feeling like I'm being a hypocrite.

I also think Westerners have a hard time with the cultural spects of Hinduism unless they are white-washed of their religious meaning. This is part of why I don't like doing Yoga a lot of the time - because the classes are robbed of their spiritual core. But at the same time, you see things like "Christian Yoga" in order to make Christians feel more comfortable. It's another example of taking out the pieces you like and avoiding acknowledging the things you don't understand or can't relate to (Ye olde, forcing a square peg into a round hole). It just doesn't jive for me. Why not celebrate what makes each faith unique and meaningful to the practitioners? Why rob either of the "good stuff" in order to avoid learning from the "yucky bits"? I think we do both faiths a disservice by trying to merge them. Then the question becomes - what parts go and what parts stay? Look at the number of sects within either faith - they are almost countless and everyone has a different take. What version of "Hinduism" and what version of Christianity are we merging?

Like others have said, each religion can gain insight from the other, but for me synchronizing them feels forced and unnecessary.

:camp:

 

[darksniper7]

Can you mingle Hinduism with Christianity? Is the result palatable?

I recently bought God Talks with Arjuna, the Bhagavad Gita commentary by Paramahansa Yogananda. Somebody had “warned” me it might contain references to Christianity, and he was right. He told me it was written in an era where Hindus had to adopt Christian concepts to gain readers from the western hemisphere. As a matter of fact I don’t know what to think of it, although I got from Christianity to Hinduism via theosophy.

yes if want to mingle a religion with a fairytale.

 

[Madhuri]

I think you can if you decide to interpret the Bible from a Hindu perspective. Specifically the interpretations of Yogananda.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Sirona,

Can you mingle Hinduism with Christianity?

No 'ism' can be mingled as the ardent followers will not prefer to accept it as it is a mind matter.
But be sure that a CHRIST will have no issues with a PRAMAHANSA' since that is when Jesus are Ramakrishna are in the state of 'no-mind' or 'thought free state'.

Unless one has himself experienced such a state of the mind in a thought free state, any number of pointers may not help. It has to come from the individual through his own understanding.

Love & rgds

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

There's a great documentary called "With One Voice" exploring how great mystics of many spiritual traditions forgo even labels in an effort to reach the truth that unites everyone. I think that's a noble aim, and different then trying to merge aspects of different religions. It's actually may be even the opposite. Instead of taking pieces from different religions to make one "Uber-Faith", they have cut away everything but the most basic principals in order to discover what we all share.

It's something most of us (myself included" aren't able to do quite fully, yet.

Anyway, it's a great documentary. I recommend it!

:camp:

 

[zenzero]

Friend Fireside Hindu,

It's something most of us (myself included" aren't able to do quite fully, yet.

Guess then you may no more be a Hindu but what some term as "Syncretic'.

Love & rgds

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Friend Fireside Hindu,

Guess then you may no more be a Hindu but what some term as "Syncretic'.

Love & rgds

Not really sure what you mean, friend. I simply admire those that are able to not only see the end but live it too. I can see the end - understand it from a intellectual level - but I'm not "there" yet. I'm not too proud to admit it either. So for now, the label I attach to myself is "Hindu" (It's my vehicle of choice to get me where I think I need to be eventually). Maybe that will change down the road, maybe it won't.

:camp:

 

[TheDopeyOne]

The link between Hindu and Christianity is Kemeticism.

 

[Desert Snake]

Not really sure what you mean, friend. I simply admire those that are able to not only see the end but live it too. I can see the end - understand it from a intellectual level - but I'm not "there" yet. I'm not too proud to admit it either. So for now, the label I attach to myself is "Hindu" (It's my vehicle of choice to get me where I think I need to be eventually). Maybe that will change down the road, maybe it won't.

:camp:

Greetings, I think as well, no problem merging religions if the practicioner can do it.
as others have mentioned, may be a bit advanced.

cheers

 

[Vinayaka]

Greetings, I think as well, no problem merging religions if the practicioner can do it.
as others have mentioned, may be a bit advanced.

cheers

I think if it works for the individual, they can do it. Not sure I would consider it 'advanced' though. Just because an athlete can golf and play soccer doesn't mean he's advanced. He'd most likely do better if he chose one or the other.

 

[Desert Snake]

I think if it works for the individual, they can do it. Not sure I would consider it 'advanced' though. Just because an athlete can golf and play soccer doesn't mean he's advanced. He'd most likely do better if he chose one or the other.

Well, that depends. That equation isn't always accurate to the situation. Personally, I think the person asking, the OP, might already be considering it? Or not at all? Is it just me or is there not too a specific question going on there. Sorta vague imo. So, I'm musing a bit.

I would add, however, that your analogy is only sometimes correct, sometimes it isn't.

cheers

 

[Vinayaka]

Well, that depends. That equation isn't always accurate to the situation. Personally, I think the person asking, the OP, might already be considering it? Or not at all? Is it just me or is there not too a specific question going on there. Sorta vague imo. So, I'm musing a bit.

I would add, however, that your analogy is only sometimes correct, sometimes it isn't.

cheers

I agree. I think the OP is a Christian who is not too happy with it and is asking for some opinions on this mix ... and so far her question has succeeded in getting several opinions. I don't want to turn her question into some debate, or derail the thread on her. So I'll cease here.

 

[zenzero]

Friends,

Would take a moment to clarify for our understanding that religions are simply paths/ways towards enlightenment or salvation [words/labels used according to culture] but the mean the same. One can follow as many paths/ways/religion but reach the same place. Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa had experienced the same state by following seven paths including islam, christianity and various dharmic paths.
Can any one say that one has to choose one? It depends on personal capacity and wish utilise the life that one has to experience and profess that there is no difference between the various paths and all are parts of that dharma which is eternal [sanatan dharma].

Love & rgds

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Friends,

Would take a moment to clarify for our understanding that religions are simply paths/ways towards enlightenment or salvation [words/labels used according to culture] but the mean the same. One can follow as many paths/ways/religion but reach the same place. Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa had experienced the same state by following seven paths including islam, christianity and various dharmic paths.
Can any one say that one has to choose one? It depends on personal capacity and wish utilise the life that one has to experience and profess that there is no difference between the various paths and all are parts of that dharma which is eternal [sanatan dharma].

Love & rgds

I would say one is no more able to follow two (or more) spiritual paths at once than one is able to do the same on two or more physical paths. Trying to do that would be very messy.

You can follow different paths one at a time - giving each your full attention, or you can follow one winding path that crosses over another at certain points along the way. Where these paths meet is where I think merging different aspects of faith happens.

You are right though, that religions are paths assigned to labels (Or vice versa) any person sincere enough can follow an old path, or create a new one. Only time will tell that person if they are traveling in a direction they wish to go.

:camp:

 

[EyeofOdin]

From what I understand, Hinduism is very flexible with gods and has incorporated deities from other cultures into the Hindu worldview and most of the time are accepted as forms of a particular deity. However, coming from Christianity, someone may find it difficult because of the polytheistic nature of Vedic Spirituality.

 

[Bunny]

I'm neither Christian nor Hindu, so I don't know how helpful my words here will be, but I'll give it a try, anyway.

I am...well, I hesitate to say "I am a Gnostic" because that sounds so pretentious to me, like I'm saying that I have acquired all the gnosis I could possibly need, which is far from the truth. But my beliefs do tend to follow along the lines of the ancient Gnostics', whose beliefs did stem from the teachings of Jesus. Unfortunately, there are a lot of gaps in our present-day knowledge about Gnostic theology/philosophy/whatever you want to call it. I have found that Hindu thought neatly dovetails in with much of what the Gnostics taught and helps me to fill in the holes that exist in Gnostic philosophy (because much of what they taught was lost over the centuries).

To make a long story short, OP, maybe you could research Gnosticism if you're interested? The philosophies of Gnosticism and Hinduism seem to harmonize pretty well, at least for me.