Hinduism

Hinduism is a broad religion with many diverse beliefs and practices, so offering a comparison of Christianity and Hinduism is challenging. However, there are some tenets to Hinduism that are universal to most Hindus:

1. Exclusivity vs. Tolerance:

The first difference between Hinduism and Christianity is that Hinduism embraces Christianity as a valid religion whereas Christianity does not accept Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion that advocates tolerance. It teaches that all religions are different paths leading to one goal.

Christianity, however, teaches that Christ is the only way to God. John 14:6 says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Philosophically, it is impossible for religions with mutually-exclusive doctrines to be equally valid. Where we find contradiction, we must find error. Either Christ was wrong or He was right when He claimed to be the only path to God. It is simple logic, not spiritual elitism.

2. Re-incarnation:

Most Hindus believe in reincarnation. The Hindu religion is vast and varied ... yet Hinduism, is unified by its acceptance of "samsara", a chain of births and deaths linked by reincarnation. Controlling samsara is the law of "karma". The essence of karma, crudely speaking, is: "Whatever goes around, comes back around"; and that which one does in this present life will have effect in the next life. People are reborn in new bodies either as lower life forms or higher life forms, until they "fix" their moral short-comings. This begs the question: "How can one fix in a second lifetime that which could not be fixed in an entire first lifetime?"

3. Heaven & Hell:

To complete all stages of reincarnation, from first life as an Infant soul to the last life as an Old soul, usually takes around 100-200 lifetimes. 120-140 is typical. Some take fewer, some take many more. In terms of time, it all takes about 5,000-10,000 years. It is anybody's guess as to the identity of the statistician who determined these figures, but we can be sure it was not based on first-hand experience!

Most Hindus believe in seven heavens and at least one hell, so you can see that the cycles of reincarnation don't directly correspond to the number of heavens and hells.

In various Hindu literature sources there are anywhere from four to twenti-eight hells. Supposedly, all persons at death go to Hell to be judged, but the virtuous ones then go rapidly from Hell to Heaven.

In Hinduism, Hell is a temporary abode. You can see the similarity between Hindu Hell and the Roman Catholic tradition of "purgatory".   Purgatory is not found in the Bible.

Some Hindus do not believe in Hell, as is typical of many liberal-minded critics among all religions. -- But "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" [Proverbs 14:12]. What a man thinks about Hell does not change the Truth. Hell won't just go away because we want it to be so. What a terrible thing it is to waste a life based on a lie!

Answer from the Bible: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." - Hebrews 9:27

When a person dies they go immediately to Heaven or immediately to Hell. Most will go to Hell. The Bible says regarding Heaven: "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Mat.7:14

For the Christian, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord [2 Corinthians 5:8].

As to an everlasting fiery Hell, see Revelation 14:11 -- "The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night ..."

4. Polytheistic:

 Hinduism believes in three major gods:  the creater, the preserver, the destroyer: ---    Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Shiva is portrayed as half male, half female.

There are three main female goddesses. Hinduism believes in many demigods or lesser gods.

The number of gods is claimed by some to be 33, though nobody agrees as to their names.

The branch of Hinduism many know as Hare Krishna believes in one major god, "Krishna", ruling over all demigods.

Notice that Krishna is not one of the three above named gods.

Another large segment of Hinduism believes in only one main god called "Indra" ruling over all demigods.

However, all sects of Christianity believe in One God as One Spirit, Who manifests Himself at various times and places as Father, and/or Son, and/or Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit both of the Father and of the Son.

"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me" - Isaiah 45:5

"There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are One." - 1 John 5:7.

Jesus stated: "I and My Father are One" - John 10:30.

John 15:26 NIV says: "... the Spirit of Truth, Who goes out from the Father--He will testify about Me [Jesus]."

5a. Animal Sacrifices

A comparison between the Old Testament of the Bible and Hinduism reveals practices which seem similar. In all ancient religions we find reparation for sins being done through sacrifices to an enraged God. In both Hinduism and Judaism, this sacrifice is an animal sacrifice. We have all done things we know are terribly wrong. An innocent substitutionary death is required. Both theologies preach a divine commandment of perfect righteousness, and failure to comply requires a penalty.

This ancient instinct to make reparation for wrong doings suggests that Romans 2:14-15 is true:

"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law . . . they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or else excusing one another."

5b. The Ultimate Sacrifice

The ultimate sacrifice for sin is found in Christianity, which preaches that the penalty for our sin has already been paid by the death of the perfect Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as important as His death is the fact that Jesus arose bodily. His resurrection and subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers enables Christians to defeat death and to live as Jesus lives, walking in holiness. The truth of this teaching is confirmed by signs and wonders:

Mark 16:17,18 - "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Both Hinduism and Christianity preach a divine commandment of perfect righteousness and that we are held accountable for our actions. To become a Christian is to accept in faith, repentance, and humility the ultimate sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ that we may avoid the ultimate penalty of Hell. Only Christians, by virtue of the grace of the Holy Spirit of the true and living God, have the ability to fulfill the divine commandment, and to enter Heaven. All thanks be unto the Lord Jesus Christ!

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