How Can One Love Two Religions

[Sha'irullah]

I have always been frustrated at a perplexing issue throughout my life and it is that I seriously love two different religions. Sanatana Dharma(Hinduism) and Islam. I have exclusively tried my best to follow both but it eventually lead me back to the other. I genuinely understand both religions well and their argument about the nature of god but I oddly find both of them right in their own way. I find both of them right and wrong in certain places so I obviously do not accept both of them wholly. I have disagreements with both of them although the positive outweighs any negativity I find in them. I am always reminded of Sai baba of Shirdi and has peaceful unity of Hindu and Muslim. He saw no difference between either group and disregarded the dogma of both religions to bring forth a mutual understanding.

Being a natural deist I rationalize each aspect of all religions and I place very little emphasis on dogma but instead I place emphasis on the statement a religion or theology makes. I myself have always used the term "Dharmic Muslim" to describe my meshing of believes but this creates quite a bit of confusion because I do not feel attached to either party. SO lately I have decided to use the word deist simply because I am one to begin with. Yet there is the prevailing issue that using this term does gives less information about my own beliefs. The vagueness of deism leads to lack of spiritual identity for me very often. But being a deist I know that no holy boo is correct and all scriptures contain some amount of corruption. Reliance on scripture leads to close mindedness and surely god is not limited. Certain scriptures and its followers claim that theirs is the ultimate and designed for the world yet god has never produced it in another part of the world. All dogma is bias as are all prophets because the religions created from them are understood through individual experience and limited understanding. So no religion can claim to be universal or singularly valid.

I would like to ask if am I the only one who faces this issue? Have people like myself outgrown organized religion and dogma? How does one come to terms with their love of multiple religions and varying teachings?

 

[F0uad]

I find Judaism also interesting that does not mean i belief everything that is in it, i simply find it interesting since its close to my original thoughts (What is Islam).

I have a question did you ever try to compare both religions in there teachings and see which one is closer in your understanding?

 

[InvestigateTruth]

I would like to ask if am I the only one who faces this issue? Have people like myself outgrown organized religion and dogma? How does one come to terms with their love of multiple religions and varying teachings?

Have you ever considered the possibility that both of them are from the same God?
In Baha'i View all major Religions are from God, that were revealed for a specific time and people. Each teaches fundamentally the same things, though their social Laws were revealed differently to suit the requirement of the Age it was revealed for.

 

[Breathe]

I would like to ask if am I the only one who faces this issue? Have people like myself outgrown organized religion and dogma? How does one come to terms with their love of multiple religions and varying teachings?

Egoism and teachings translated through different cultural, linguistic, historical, and mythic perceptions?

 

[Jainarayan]

am I the only one who faces this issue?

Nope. I'm primarily Vaishnava Hindu, but I incorporate elements of Mahāyana Buddhism, Taoism and Jesuism. I haven't found any incompatibility; however, it is in reality, cherry-picking. But who would eat all the sour cherries from the tree along with the sweet ones?

Have people like myself outgrown organized religion and dogma?

Yep. I'm somewhat (though not completely) anti-ritual but very much anti-dogma.

How does one come to terms with their love of multiple religions and varying teachings?

Finding the compatible and supplementary aspects of them; studying them to find those aspects; patience; meditation to let your feelings "settle" and be like water seeking its own level. Islam is very dogmatic, Hinduism is not. So to that end, you may have a very hard time reconciling the dogmatic with the non-dogmatic. You have to throw dogma out. You might find a starting point in Ahmadiyya - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and Ahmadiyya & Hinduism. InvestigateTruth makes a good point about the Baha'i Faith.

 

[Vinayaka]

I find it truly amazing. Islam and Hinduism? They are so very far apart. I can't thank of any combination that is further apart. There is no way I could ever do what you're doing. The philosophical differences contradictions are just immense. Huge. Those who reconcile must have some kind of uncanny ability I sure don't have ...that of totally ignoring some fundamental tenets within one or the other or both.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

I find it truly amazing. Islam and Hinduism? They are so very far apart. I can't thank of any combination that is further apart. There is no way I could ever do what you're doing. The philosophical differences contradictions are just immense. Huge. Those who reconcile must have some kind of uncanny ability I sure don't have ...that of totally ignoring some fundamental tenets within one or the other or both.

What is the biggest contradiction between Islam and Hiduism in your view?

 

[Vinayaka]

karma, reincarnation, worship of deities in murthis ... absolutely central themes to Hinduism, can easily be said that Hindus must believe in them to even be a Hindu

to be fair, I'm not very familiar with Islam, but from what I've read I don't think Muslims believe in these things.

 

[Jainarayan]

Those who reconcile must have some kind of uncanny ability I sure don't have ...that of totally ignoring some fundamental tenets within one or the other or both.

karma, reincarnation, worship of deities in murthis ... absolutely central themes to Hinduism, can easily be said that Hindus must believe in them to even be a Hindu

to be fair, I'm not very familiar with Islam, but from what I've read I don't think Muslims believe in these things.

That's what I meant by tossing dogma out the window. Islam is very dogmatic, as is Christianity and Judaism. There are rules and regulations that

cannot be changed or discarded without affecting the very system's paradigm, or the ideology itself. Dogma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Islam denounces all forms of images and concepts of other deities and reincarnation. However, loving compassion and devotion to God are central tenets. I can't speak for the o.p. but maybe that's what is appealing about Islam. But those can be found in virtually any religion.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

karma, reincarnation, worship of deities in murthis ... absolutely central themes to Hinduism, can easily be said that Hindus must believe in them to even be a Hindu

to be fair, I'm not very familiar with Islam, but from what I've read I don't think Muslims believe in these things.

Well, I suppose even among Hindus there are different views regarding Karma, reincarnation, one God or Gods. So, perhaps it maybe possible that Muslims also believe the same concepts but with a different name and interpretation.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Islam denounces all forms of images and concepts of other deities and reincarnation. However, loving compassion and devotion to God are central tenets. I can't speak for the o.p. but maybe that's what is appealing about Islam. But those can be found in virtually any religion.

Oh now of all things i agree with Islam it is idolatry. I despise it very much as it seems to be degrading to both man and god. On a rational level I find it useless as it somehow tries giving God limitations and definite form. Islam does its very best to give god supremacy and absolute perfection. This is something I really understand and agree with Muslims.

 

[Vinayaka]

The more you delve the more differences you will find. When you use the word 'perhaps' I think that's really stretching it. Vegetarianinsm and ahimsa is another.

From the other side, there is the Koran as the single authoritative scripture, and Muhammed as the most important prophet. Very few Hindus would believe this. edited .. NO Hindus beleive this.

One proseltyses, the other doesn't ... the list of differences could get really really long.

To be fair, I think back in history, because of the geographical proximity of the two faiths, some people felt the need to find something in common, else there would be a lot of trouble. (And indeed, for those who couldn't there was a lot of trouble, and death over it) In order to get along at all, a few people tried. Very universalist-leaning Hindus, and Sufis, for example have a few things in common. Still not a lot.

But your mainstram Hindu, and your mainstream Muslim have really very little in common. Some ethics, maybe, and a belief in some sort of higher power.

The people I've spoken too that seem to amalgamate or compromise are off on the edge of the edges of their faith, and very well could be declared apostate, or non-believers on one, by the mainstream.

For example, I asked Mr. Archer some questions a few threads back, and came to the conclusion he is about 90% Muslim, with some compassion or sensitivity to some Hindu ideas, but not many.

 

[Vinayaka]

Oh now of all things i agree with Islam it is idolatry. I despise it very much as it seems to be degrading to both man and god.

This is a very basic Islamic concept. To think otherwise could mean death in some circles.

 

[Jainarayan]

Oh now of all things i agree with Islam it is idolatry. I despise it very much as it seems to be degrading to both man and god. On a rational level I find it useless as it somehow tries giving God limitations and definite form. Islam does its very best to give god supremacy and absolute perfection. This is something I really understand and agree with Muslims.

In Hinduism, it is not the idol itself (murthi is the proper word, meaning "form") that is worshipped, but God through the murthi. Not unlike talking to someone on the phone. You're not talking to the phone, you're talking through the phone to the other person. However, if it is wrong for you that's OK. But I don't think there is any denomination of Hinduism with the exception of Arya Samaj that is aniconic.

1. The first (efficient) cause of all true knowledge and all that is known through knowledge is God, the Highest Lord (Parameshwar).
2. God (Ishwara) is Blissful, Existent, Formless, Infinite, Almighty, Omnipotent, Just, Merciful, Omnipresent,All pervading, Omnisicient, Eternal, Unborn, Endless, Unchangeable, Beginningless, Immortal, Imperishable, Fearless, Incomparable,Holy, Support of all and Creater of Universe. He alone is worthy of being worshipped. Creator of the Universe
3. Vedas are the scripture of true knowledge. It is the first duty of the Arya's to read them, teach them, hearing them being read and recite them.
4. One should always be ready to accept Truth and give up Untruth.
5. One should do everything according to the dictates of Dharma, i.e. after due reflection over right and wrong.
6. Doing good to the whole world is the primary objective of this society, i.e. to look to its physical, spiritual and social welfare.
7. Let thy dealing with all be regulated by love and justice, in accordance with the dictates of Dharma.
8. One should promote knowledge (vidya) and dispel ignorance (avidya).
9. One should not be content with one's own welfare alone, but should look for one's welfare in the welfare of all.
10. One should regard oneself under restriction to follow altruistic rulings of society, while all should be free in following the rules of individual welfare.[citation needed]

Edit to add: Ironically, Arya Samaj was founded to counter Islam in India full article on Arya Samaj.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

The more you delve the more differences you will find..

Well, offcourse there are many differences. Just as there are many different views about Islam, among Muslims, and there are many different views about Christianity, among Christians, and likewise Buddhism or Hinduism. Take for instance Buddhism. There is at least a sect in Buddhism that believes in Monotheism. While there are some that do not believe in any Gods.
So, is it possible to reconcile beween those Buddhist who believe in One God, and those who do not? I don't think so. Now, the fact is there was a person Buddha who initiated that Religion or way of life or whatever they like to call it. But how is it that eventhough there was One Source, then there are vast view among the same religion?
So, what I am getting at is, in my view, all those major religions had the same source and taught the same thing, but over time, different people gained different understanding of it.
So, for instance, in Jewish Faith Scriptures it was said Prophet Elijah would come back before Messiah. Then Christian Bible said, Elijah came back after 1500 years, but as a new person, John the Baptist. So, I can relate that to the same concept of re-incarnation of return to the world. However, some understand that as immidiate return of the same person, and some may understand that return of a similar person in a later age.

 

[LuisDantas]

In my opinion, it is the religious person's duty to take responsibility for the teachings that he adheres to. That means learning how best to apply those teachings and where they do not really fit.

So no, there is not really much of a contradiction in adhering to two or more religions, as long as enough discernment is applied. One will probably find himself at odds with more literalistic interpretations, though. I'm not sure that is even a problem.

 

[Vinayaka]

However, some understand that as immidiate return of the same person, and some may understand that return of a similar person in a later age.

Neither of which come anything close to Hinduism, for it is the soul that reincarnates not the person.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

Neither of which come anything close to Hinduism, for it is the soul that reincarnates not the person.

Yes, I understand the reincarnation in Hinduism. In Hinduism, reincarnation means when a person dies, his soul returns and goes into body of a new person. That is why many who believe this, they believe they had past lives, right?

Elijah was a Prophet who lived thousands years before John the Baptist. Now, let me ask you this. In your view (not how Christians view it), what does these verses of Bible appear to say:


This is from Jewish Scriptures:

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD" -Malachi 4:1-5

Now in Christian Scriptures:

Jesus said: "But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist." Mat. 17:11-13

It appeared as if the soul or spirit of Elijah went inside the Body of another person, John. Specially if you take into account these verses:

"Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John....And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah." Luke 1:13-17

I am just saying it is possible to view it that way, and If I am not mistaking, there would be some Christians who would understand this similar to reincarnation.

REINCARNATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

And in the same way, there are Recorded sayings in Islam from Ali, that He said, He existed before with other Prophets in other Ages. Even in Quran there are verses that can be viewed this way.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I've come across similar issues myself. Although I'm a Buddhist, I have a love for both Hinduism and Islam. In fact, I decided that if I ever find myself believing in a creator God again, I'd pick one of those two. But when I found myself leaving Christianity, this is what I did: I made a list of 25 philosophical statements that I believed about reality. I then scored four major religions based on this list: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Buddhism scored the highest, with 23.5 points. Islam and Hinduism both scored mid-range, with Hinduism a little higher, and Christianty scored lowest. Maybe you could try something like this?

 

[Vinayaka]

Elijah was a Prophet who lived thousands years before John the Baptist. Now, let me ask you this. In your view (not how Christians view it), what does these verses of Bible appear to say:

I have absolutely no opinion. These are not my scriptures, so why would I have an opinion? If someone wants to interpret a scripture in whatever they want to, that's their business. I don't go looking for similarities or for differences, because to me, it makes no difference. I just am what I am. Similarly, someone can call himself whatever religion they want to. That won't change what they actually believe.