3. Hinduism (4)

Conclusions From an Apologetics Perspective

Hinduism is not a historical religion like Christianity. Its writings and teachings are philosophical and spiritual; they do not allow corroboration from archaeology or other sources. Also Hinduism has evolved with the way of life and culture in India over millennia. It is not clear whether its teachings controlled the development of the culture, or the other way around. Either way, there is no founder or a doctrinal statement of faith to verify historically.

Its most important writings, the Vedas, were written between 1500 and 800 BC. They are not tied to any known person as author, though they were created by an emerging priesthood, the Brahman caste. The Vedas have been preserved orally as well as in writing, but there are virtually no ancient manuscripts. At the same time, since these books do not specify historical events or tie themselves to factual matters, how accurate they are textually makes little difference to its adherents.[4]

As a pantheistic religion, it assumes the “supreme being” Brahman is a non-personal presence in everything around us. It is not completely clear if all Hindus believe in an eternal universe, but the claims of an eternal soul of man seems to indicate such. Science has indisputably proved the universe is not eternal, but began (scientifically known as the Big Bang) and, therefore, will end. For that reason all scientific data conflicts the belief in the eternal soul of man and the pantheistic concept of Brahman.

The Hindu teaching of reincarnation is intriguing and, to many, appealing as a model for eternal life. However, there is no proof that anybody has ever lived and experienced the reincarnation of an earlier life. Also it raises vital questions such as: Where do souls come from, and how are more souls “created” as the human population continues to grow?

Another problem with reincarnation is an apparent built-in self-contradiction. The idea behind reincarnation is that over a number of death-rebirth cycles one’s soul gradually improves and becomes wiser and purer, leading to ultimate moskha, the unification with Brahman. In this state of oneness evil is conquered and all is “good.” However, Hinduism also teaches that all souls originated from Brahman. How can it be that when the soul left Brahman and started its cycle of improvements that it needed any improvements in the first place? The soul was pure and perfect as part of Brahman, so how could it be imperfect when it left Brahman? This could only be explained, if the soul committed some evil while united with Brahman, but that would be a contradiction to Brahman’s nature.

Table 30- 1 : Comparing Hinduism to Christianity

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