Search Results for: hinduism
What is Hinduism?
What is Hinduism: By many, Hinduism is considered the oldest world religion. However, the title of “World Religion” is a misnomer. Hindu, meaning one from the region of the Indus river (India), was a title ascribed to the people of India and Hinduism was a title given to an amalgamation of all of the religious traditions of the region. British scholars of the nineteenth century, in an attempt to understand the religious traditions of India, grouped the various religions under one title: Hinduism. While Hinduism may be a creation of western scholars, that is not to say there is…
What is Sikhism?
What is Sikhism: Sikhism arose during a time of intense conflict between the Hindu and Muslim faiths in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of India. Claiming no union with either Islam or Hinduism, Sikhism is, most simply stated, a blend of the teachings of Islam and Hinduism. Adopting the teachings of strict Monotheism taught by Islam, and the cycle of death and rebirth taught by Hinduism, Sikhism teaches it is the truth found between the two faiths. Origins of Sikhism: Sikhism was founded in the late 15th century by Guru Nanak (1469-1539) and his teaching: “There…
What is Jainism?
What is Jainism: Considered by many a sect of Hinduism, Jainism is the product of 24 Jinas, or tirthankaras (“path makers”), human teachers who have attained the highest level of knowledge and spiritual insight. Followers of the Jinas, called Jaina or Jains, believe that by following the way of the Jinas they may free themselves from the cycle of death and rebirth. As a product of Hinduism, Jainism borrows many terms from this religion. Such terms include: Moksha, Samsara, and Karma. While these are common words used in many religions, within Jainism they have a very different meaning. This…
What is Buddhism?
… decided to allow women to join. Following the death of the Buddha in 483 BC, no successor was appointed and no written scripture existed. For nearly four-hundred years, the teachings of the Buddha were passed down orally. During this time, what we call Buddhism was known as Hinayana (and later known as Mahayana) and was considered a sect of Hinduism (today, the Buddha is considered the ninth incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu). The samgha community remained small believing the teaching of the Buddha were only for the select few. However, in the third century B.C. Asoka the Great, an…
Can a Christian believe in reincarnation?
… away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25: 46 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, Hebrews 9:27 Theological inconsistencies with reincarnation: The religions of Hinduism and Buddhism do not believe in heaven. Both believe in Moksha, achieving a state of perfection and liberating oneself from self-awareness, independence, and freewill. The belief in a paradisiacal society (such as the Christian notion of heaven) is unsuited for a belief in reincarnation. No mainstream religion which submit to reincarnation as a means to personal development submit to a belief in heaven….
What are African Religions?
… have an effect upon others. However, its use is considered an offense against the balance between the natural and supernatural. African Religions reserve the practice of witchcraft and sorcery for the purpose of defeating other’s malicious use of the practice. Today, many of the African Religions have been strongly influenced by the rise of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism within the continent. These influences have given rise to several new churches and movements. With the spread of Africans and African Religions across the globe (primarily by means of slave trading) varying African-based religions and Churches have risen in America, Central…