True only for universalist leaning Hindus, and they are a very common lot in the west, perhaps even the most common. But most of us aren't universalist leaning at all.
Why? It's not like you think. It's not out of hatred of others or fear of the mix and match. It's because within Hinduism, we already have all we'd ever need, and more. Univeralism is universalism. Hinduism is Hinduism. Ne'er the twain shall meet.
I am not talking about "Universalism" as an institution or concrete thing, actually to do so would be be an oxymoron for what I am trying to describe when I use the words "universalism" or "universalist" Perhaps I should use different terms but when I talk about the "universal," I am referring to the metaphysical truth of life, the Ultimate Reality, the "all pervading Spirit" that pervades all things, all institutions, all religious institutions, literally anything you could imagine. And in my research of Hinduism thus far, such an idea seems very, very compatible with Hinduism... such an idea seems pretty analogous to what is described as the Vedas, IMO.
As for the part I bolded in your quote, this makes sense to me.. but I guess where we differ (and in my mind, the difference is
purely an issue of semantics) is that you would be more inclined to say universalism is
within Hinduism (i.e. everything you need plus more is within Hindusim as you've said); whereas I would be more likely to say Hinduism is within universalism. In other words, using the explanation I gave above, you would be more likely to say (correct me if I'm wrong) that metaphysical truth is contained within Hinduism, while I would be more likely to say Hinduism is contained within metaphysical truth.
Some incredibly liberal neo-Hindus are that way, yes. But in the grand scheme of things, it's rare, and only happens in America where people who get interested in Hinduism but can't give up their previous affiliation invent this new half n half thing and call it Hindu. Christ is not opart of Hinduism, period. He's part of universalism, a whold big deal in Christianity, yes, but not part of Hinduism. Hindus vary on it, some ignore it, some are agnostic about it, some respect the idea, etc, but no Hindu worships Christ.
On one hand you say Christ is not a part of Hinduism, "period" (is this merely your opinion or are you trying to speak authoritatively for Hinduism as a whole?) - but on another hand you say Hindus vary on this.. and that some seem be more allowing of giving him a "place" within Hinduism. Is it wrong to say that Hinduism, in general, would regard Christ as a respectable Avatar or teacher of Yoga? That Hindu's would respect Christ as being able to help many people (primarily Christians) obtain union with God? In my research of Hinduism thus far, the main answer I have found is that Hinduism does view Christ this way.
