Yes, Carlita, this is what I am saying, and I'll reiterate that it is a very fundamental difference in paradigms. In another post, I was asked whether or not I even occasionally felt I had a superior belief. I had to think about it, and yes, I do have a superior belief ... for me. It works for me, but I actually don't think it would work at all for other people. In fact, it would most likely do more harm than good because it would wreak havoc on a comfortable mindset.
Hmm. Here is a different perspective on that given I'm embedded in western cultural outlook. I don't care for the abrahamic mindset, but here is some insight.
If you're religion is only good for you, for example, than what you believe is not a fact but a belief. So, for example, Brahma would actually not exist universally but only exist as a belief.
When we consider something a fact, it is, by definition universal. We can disagree with two and two is four all we want, but the fact is, it does equal four.
So the belief in Brahma existing would not depend on you but you depend on Brahma. (Facts don't exist because of us; we depend on the facts) The experience in Brahman would not be dependent on you, but as a fact, you would be dependent (lack of better words) on the experience of Brahman.
Another example is rebirth. Life goes in a cycle regardless of my being here. To me (a clause that's not really needed just respectful *hint hint*) it is a fact. So, I am technically seeing my faith as superior to a whole-people included since we all experience rebirth-because this cycle isn't dependent on my belief or religion.
I
think that, even though culturally and respectfully it isn't nice to say it, you believe your religion is a fact for all of life not just humans but everything-everything is Brahman. Everyone is. This wouldn't be dependant on you to be true but because it is a fact of life, this is one reason why you and many Hindus believe it.
It isn't more of a religion thing but more of a respect for other people in how they express their faith. While the religion does have a me vs. you, if one can admit that, it would save a lot of ills. Many people do not. JW are the only ones I came across that openly admit it.
Abrahamics actually do think their personal belief is better for all of mankind, even though sometimes they say they don't. This is a fundamental difference, and the proof in in the action of proselytizing. Hindus simply do not proselytize. In fact, we often say . "Go away!" Non Hindus aren't allowed in quite a few Hindu temples. There are many reasons for this, but one is to protect that individual from confusion.
Maybe your perspective isn't specifically the belief but by how people express their belief. Which makes sense because the belief is represented by the people. If most Bahai didn't present their belief in a negative way, I'd probably visit a Bahai temple. Since that is not the case, I don't feel motivated to go.
Abrahamics, on the other hand, reach out for people who will listen. The Baha'i' here are quite proud of how widespread their faith is on this planet. Well, sorry to break the news, but that's only because of the missionary zeal, not because of the natural greatness of the faith. All proselytizing faiths get widespread. It's a natural outcome, not anything special. People hear about stuff because someone tells them. Same principle for news, gossip, etc. Without an open line of communication, and a willingness for the sender to send out his message, there is no spreading.
I'd be cautious of grouping abrahamics together. One reason is western culture has a lot to do with abrahamic religious views. Christians pretty much stained it. But it is a culture clash between abrahamics and Dharmics. At least you see this. Some Bahai do but still find similarities as if they masks the differences which are crucial to understanding diversity thus differences
Buddhist are like Hindus. When we went out to the meditation retreat center an hour's drive away, what we got was a beautiful inner smile, not an invitation to return, not a bunch of pamphlets, not notices of upcoming events.
Yes. It is beautiful. I spent a whole day with a nun taking care of the abbots property while the abbot was in Vietnam. She showed me a lot, told me a lot, and I never received that type of connection with Catholics. So, it is a different worldview for sure.
So it is a fundamental and key difference that goes right down to the psyche of the individuals.
Oh, I wanted to ask. Since Hindu don't invite non-Hindu to temples, how do converts learn about Hinduism off the net? The temple I went has both Hindus and Buddhist ceremonies (Buddhist on occasion). They didn't tell me to leave but was curious why I was there.
Does this depend on the area or is this a general worldview for Hindus and how they see non-hindus?
