I am reading the Quran, Gospel, Psalms, Tora, BoMormon, Avesta and i wonder if the Vedas are also...

[Aupmanyav]

The Gospel and the Quran weren't the first Revelations. So don't worry about people who say such things. The majority of the people say many things which have no bases in the Holy Scriptures they claim to follow.

I am a strong atheist. I do not even believe in the possibility of existence of any God or soul. There are no 'Holy scriptures' for me. I believe that all people who claim a mission from any imaginary God are not telling the truth.

 

[Aupmanyav]

How many times have you read the Vedas from cover to cover if i may ask? And what is Advaita?

And thanks for explaining the words.

Hundreds of times, especially the RigVeda, which is more than 6,000 years old. Advaita is a belief in non-duality of things in the universe (living or non-living). That leaves no space for a God. Advaita Vedanta - Wikipedia

 

[Aupmanyav]

The Baha'i Faith is a universalist religion. Christianity is not, nor is Hinduism.
Hope that makes sense.

Very much so. Bahais are universalists in the sense that they want everyone in the world to accept Bahaullah as the latest 'manifestation' of God (only one God? ). I suspect that Bahais are paid on 'every post basis' to spread the Bahaism. You can refute it if it is not so. But you know, other people have different ideas. You do not cut much ice with atheists.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I havent seen a single person quoting verses from the Vedas and explaining them word for word from Sanskrit to English.

I have posted from RigVeda. It seems you missed that. I can do that every time when there is a need. The 'Sacred-text' link has a good unbiased English translation of RigVeda by Ralph Griffith.

"arvāg devā asya visarjanenāthā ko veda yatābabhūva ll"
The Gods are later than this world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?
Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN CXXIX. Creation.
(Nasadiya Sukta, Hindu Creation hymn)

That is from my post # 52 at I am reading the Quran, Gospel, Psalms, Tora, BoMormon, Avesta and i wonder if the Vedas are also...

 

[Dawnofhope]

Bahais are universalists in the sense that they want everyone in the world to accept Bahaullah as the latest 'manifestation' of God (only one God? ).

Personally, it doesn't bother me in the slightest whether people choose to be a Baha'i or choose to leave. It does not matter what religion they have or if they don't have a religion. What does matter is the opportunity to have conservations about religion, worldviews, faith and spirituality that are courteous and respectful. It is enough to see people thoughtfully consider the nature of reality and investigate the truth for themselves wherever that may lead.

I suspect that Bahais are paid on 'every post basis' to spread the Bahaism. You can refute it if it is not so.

I've never heard such a preposterous suggestion in the last two years I've been on RF lol. If it were true you would find some testimony from an disaffected ex-Baha'i saying this is what we do.

But you know, other people have different ideas. You do not cut much ice with atheists.

Many Baha'is were once atheists (I was albeit for less than a year). Attractive principles may include the independent investigation of reality, the harmony between science and religion, governance based on democratic principles, consultation, and the encouragement to leave a religion all together if it causes estrangement and hatred between peoples.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Some modern Hindus may be more monotheistic but the ancient Vedas, which are from a culture that largely doesn't exist anymore, are not.

Saint, Vedic culture does exist with millions of people studying Vedas and thousands practicing them (the Smartas). It is only that today it exists within Hinduism.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Saint, Vedic culture does exist with millions of people studying Vedas and thousands practicing them (the Smartas). It is only that today it exists within Hinduism.

I meant that the ancient culture that produced the Vedas doesn't really exist anymore (the old Indo-Aryan culture). I didn't say the Vedas aren't used anymore. It's like how the ancient culture that produced the Hebrew Bible doesn't exist anymore but obviously that's still in use. Things have changed, obviously.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I believe the reincarnation narrative of Hinduism has similar problems if taken literally.

Tell me, what problem you find in Hindu reincarnation. I would try to explain the Hindu view, though personally I do not believe in a whole lot of things.

I meant that the ancient culture that produced the Vedas doesn't really exist anymore (the old Indo-Aryan culture). I didn't say the Vedas aren't used anymore. It's like how the ancient culture that produced the Hebrew Bible doesn't exist anymore but obviously that's still in use. Things have changed, obviously.

Yeh, things have changed. We are not herding cattle or sheep in the steppes and nor are riding swift ruddy horses. Though we are still pouring oblations to Indra, Agni, Mitra, Marutas, Varuna, etc.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yeh, things have changed. We are not herding cattle or swheep in the steppes and nor are riding swift ruddy horses. Though we are still pouring oblations to Indra, Agni, Mitra, Marutas, Varuna, etc.

Yes, of course. But the major Vedic deities aren't the main deities anymore.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Tell me, what problem you find in Hindu reincarnation. I would try to explain the Hindu view, though personally I do not believe in a whole lot of things.

I don’t understand the origins of Hindu beliefs about reincarnation like I do for Christian beliefs about resurrection. Neither seem logical to me.

Reincarnation is a belief in the afterlife. If it is true it must be true for all peoples not just those who believe in it. If there is no afterlife then that is true for everyone, not just atheists. So whatever the reality of the soul if it exists, the afterlife if it exists and the presence of God, gods or no god is true for us all. Beliefs are just beliefs and can be illusory and irrational. If reincarnation is true then it makes Hindus unique and superior to all other faith adherents to be gifted with such insight. Yet it appears contradictory to a compassionate God that we would be made to experience this life again, just as a child is prevented from becoming an adult because he hasn’t been a good enough child.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yes, of course. But the major Vedic deities aren't the main deities anymore.

In a merger, there are always gives and takes. Hindus accepted Vedas as the first scripture and Sanskrit. We accepted Vishnu in a big way and Sarasvati and Rudra too. We have not forgotten any of the Aryan Gods or Goddesses. We pay obeisance to them in rituals. Aryans too made adjustments, accepted the indigenous Gods and Goddesses, Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Durga, Ganesha, Murugan (merged him with Kartikeya), Hanumana, etc.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Reincarnation is a belief in the afterlife. If it is true it must be true for all peoples not just those who believe in it. If there is no afterlife then that is true for everyone, not just atheists.
So whatever the reality of the soul if it exists, the afterlife if it exists and the presence of God, gods or no god is true for us all.
Beliefs are just beliefs and can be illusory and irrational.
If reincarnation is true then it makes Hindus unique and superior to all other faith adherents to be gifted with such insight.
Yet it appears contradictory to a compassionate God that we would be made to experience this life again, just as a child is prevented from becoming an adult because he hasn’t been a good enough child.

Yeah, it is true for all people. The theists believe that it is true for an atheists like me too.
Yeah, the theists believe that my disbelieving in Gods and Goddesses does not affect the fact that they exist.
Yeah, beliefs can be illusory and irrational. The belief in existence of God may be such an illusory and irrational belief, and so too the belief in prophets, sons, messengers, manifestations and mahdis.
Of course, there is a big 'IF' involved in reincarnation, as in all other kinds of beliefs when no evidence is available.
Well, Gods give you another chance to make an improvement, to be a better human being by engaging in good humane deeds and desisting from evil inhumane deeds (i.e., follow 'dharma'). The final goal is that you be so good to live in constant presence of Gods or merge with the Supreme.
Now tell me, where do you find a problem in this?

 

[Dawnofhope]

Yeah, it is true for all people. The theists believe that it is true for an atheists like me too.
Yeah, the theists believe that my disbelieving in Gods and Goddesses does not affect the fact that they exist.
Yeah, beliefs can be illusory and irrational. The belief in existence of God may be such an illusory and irrational belief, and so too the belief in prophets, sons, messengers, manifestations and mahdis.
Of course, there is a big 'IF' involved in reincarnation, as in all other kinds of beliefs when no evidence is available.
Well, Gods give you another chance to make an improvement, to be a better human being by engaging in good humane deeds and desisting from evil inhumane deeds (i.e., follow 'dharma'). The final goal is that you be so good to live in constant presence of Gods or merge with the Supreme.
Now tell me, where do you find a problem in this?

In the absence of certainty about the existence of God, or gods, or no god the best we can do is live a life that the best we can. If we are open to truth, our intention pure, and we strive to be noble beings then our dharma becomes clear. I have no criticism of such a path for that path is my path too.

 

[Marcion]

I don’t understand the origins of Hindu beliefs about reincarnation like I do for Christian beliefs about resurrection. Neither seem logical to me.

Reincarnation is a belief in the afterlife. If it is true it must be true for all peoples not just those who believe in it. If there is no afterlife then that is true for everyone, not just atheists. So whatever the reality of the soul if it exists, the afterlife if it exists and the presence of God, gods or no god is true for us all. Beliefs are just beliefs and can be illusory and irrational. If reincarnation is true then it makes Hindus unique and superior to all other faith adherents to be gifted with such insight. Yet it appears contradictory to a compassionate God that we would be made to experience this life again, just as a child is prevented from becoming an adult because he hasn’t been a good enough child.

Indeed we have already been made to experience different life forms millions of times before we finally received our first human incarnation. That this seems cruel to you does not mean that God has any bad intent, suffering and pleasure are just part of His lila and inherent in the laws of nature and also dependent on your history of actions.

A part of the spiritual teachings of the so-called Abrahamic religions may have originated in India which subcontinent is by far the oldest and most rich source of deeper spiritual teachings. Although the Yeshua of Q-lite teaches karma the idea of reincarnation seems not to have the reached the New Testament. There are however other much smaller Abrahamic religions that do have reincarnation in their teachings such as the former Cathars, the Alawites, the Druze and the Rosicrucians. It is unfortunate that Bahaullah did not include reincarnation in his teachings.

 

[firedragon]

What does 'na thasya prathima asthi' mean?

Why do you believe the Vedas are Monotheistic? And not Polytheistic? If you admit you can't read Sanskrit, then how sure are you? Did someone who knows Sanskrit tell you something?

I don't know Sanskrit so I submit.

Peace.

 

[firedragon]

Ah, Zakir Naik, the dunce.

"arvāg devā asya visarjanenāthā ko veda yatābabhūva ll"
The Gods are later than this world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?
Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 10: HYMN CXXIX. Creation.
(Nasadiya Sukta, Hindu Creation hymn)Sense or no sense. Anand Marg's history is that of a dangerous cult. You forget the two realities of 'advaita'. There are no religions in 'Parmarthika', but they exist in 'Vyavaharika'.​

True. Since I am no expert in the Hindu religion I seize.

But I didn't get your point. Are you saying Hinduism is polytheistic?

 

[firedragon]

How are you deriving monotheism from this?
There are levels of reality. In some there can be a god or Gods, but ultimately there only "IS," -- No God, no image.

A thousand clear references to a thousand different deities, and you find a single sentence which can be interpreted monotheistically?
Please.

A lotta anger. Somethings up these days people are very jumpy.

I didn't intend to debate mate. I don't know your religion like you do.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In the absence of certainty about the existence of God, or gods, or no god the best we can do is live a life that the best we can. If we are open to truth, our intention pure, and we strive to be noble beings then our dharma becomes clear. I have no criticism of such a path for that path is my path too.

That is nice. There should then be no boast that I can do it better or you can do it better. It is everybody's business, everybody's dharma, not just for Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs or Bahais. All humanity has a stake there. You said, "The Baha'i Faith is a universalist religion. Christianity is not, nor is Hinduism." That does not indicate a very good spirit. It hinders the attainment of the lofty goal.

"ayaṃ nijaḥ paro vā iti gaṇanā laghucetasām । udāracaritānāṃ tu vasudhā eva kuṭumbakam ॥"
(He is mine, he is another, not mine - such are thoughts of narrow minded people. For the noble minded the whole world is a family.)

 

[Aupmanyav]

But I didn't get your point. Are you saying Hinduism is polytheistic?

Haha, never ask this question to a Hindu. I do not know what Hindus can not be. A hindu can be polytheist, monotheist, agnostic, deist, henotheist, monist, dualist, monolaterist, kathenotheist, panpsychist, pantheist, panentheist or atheist. It depends squarely on that person, and Hinduism permits all this. It does not compromise only on one thing, 'dharma', i.e., fulfillment of one's duties and engagement in righteous conduct.

 

[sayak83]

I wonder if the Vedas are also inspired by the One and Only God, our Father, who created the Heavens and the Earth, your God, my God, the God of everything and everyone.

Now i am reading a translation, but the translation is polytheistic. And i don't trust translations, because 99% of the translations that i saw of different religious Holy Books were sectarian and polytheistic.

So my question is. Does someone know Sanskrit? And could he explain if the Book is Monotheistic?

I am already busy with learning Greek, Arabic, Hebrew. And maybe i will add Sanskrit, if it's a Holy Book inspired by God as well.

PS: I do not follow any organised religion. I think they are all the same. I pray at home. I try to follow every Word that comes out of the Mouth of God, because i want to use them as Light and Guidance and Inspiration.

No. Vedas is not monotheistic.