Hindu/Christian Point Counter Point

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Hindu/Christian Point Counter Point

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>From :

http://www.geocities.com/cyber_dharma/hindu_christian_point.htm

 

Are all religions really one? Read this point-counter-point and

decide for yourself! This is a list of nine parallel aspects of

theology from both faiths, e.g. the concept of Hindu "liberation" is

compared with the Christian concept of "salvation". A collaboration

between the editors of Hinduism Today and the editors of Christianity

Today (who wrote every word of the Christian beliefs), this

comparison was printed in Christianity Today to give readers a better

understanding of Hinduism.

 

Hinduism:

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1) Hindus believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the world's most

ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These

primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma,

the eternal religion which has neither beginning nor end.

 

2) Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive supreme being who is both

immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.

 

3) Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of

creation, preservation and dissolution.

 

4) Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each

individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.

 

5) Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many

births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, spiritual

knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not

a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny.

 

6) Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that

temple worship, rituals, sacraments as well as personal devotionals

create a communion with these devas and Gods.

 

7) Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master, or satguru, is

essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal

discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and

meditation.

 

8) Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered,

and therefore practice ahimsa, "noninjury."

 

9) Hindus believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to

salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are

facets of God's Pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and

understanding.

 

 

Christianity:

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1) Christians believe that the bible is the uniquely inspired and

fully trustworthy word of God. It is the final authority for

Christians in matters of belief and practice, and though it was

written long ago, it continues to speak to believers today.

 

2) Christians believe in one god in three persons. He is distinct

from his creation, yet intimately involved with it as its sustainer

and redeemer.

 

3) Christians believe that the world was created once by the divine

will, was corrupted by sin, yet under God's providence moves toward

final perfection.

 

4) Christians believe that, through god's grace and favour, lost

sinners are rescued from the guilt, power and eternal consequences of

their evil thoughts, words and deeds.

 

5) Christians believe that it is appointed for human beings to die

once and after that face judgment. In Adam's sin, the human race was

spiritually alienated from God, and that those who are called by God

and respond to his grace will have eternal life. Those who persist in

rebellion will be lost eternally.

 

6) Christians believe that spirit beings inhabit the universe, some

good and some evil, but worship is due to God alone.

 

7) Christians believe that god has given us a clear revelation of

Himself in Jesus and the sacred Scriptures. He has empowered by his

Spirit prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastors who are teachers

charged to guide us into faith and holiness in accordance with his

Word.

 

8) Christians believe that life is to be highly esteemed but that it

must be subordinated in the service of Biblical love and justice.

 

9) Christians believe that Jesus is god incarnate and, therefore, the

only sure path to salvation. Many religions may offer ethical and

spiritual insights, but only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the

Life.

 

http://www.geocities.com/cyber_dharma/hindu_christian_point.htm