<span style='color:red'>>>1) What characteristics of Hinduism lead Hindu's to feel ashamed about their creed?
As I initially said, much of what I said is intuitive and not (as far as I know) reinforced by any research. I will continue in that vein. I am not sure it is the characteristics of Hinduism itself that makes a certain subsection of Hindus feel ashamed, but rather the way they believe Hinduism in general is perceived in those parts of the world where they would like to stand out as being at the leading edge of society. It is probably a function of the ignorance of those they encounter. In general, this would mean a superficial understanding of our polytheistic milieu, although there is in fact a buffet of belief paths or philosophical streams to choose from. So: a lack of knowledge on the part of the foreigner and an unwillingness/inability (for various reasons) to explain on the part of the Hindu. But the foreigner holds the upper hand in this encounter, so the Hindu says âI was born a Hinduâ with a semi-sheepish lookâ¦.
>>2) What characteristics in Hinduism led to its defeat (atleast in part at the hands of islam) , withdrawal and the shame
I am not sufficiently well informed about this to comment confidently, but I do not think the characteristics of Hinduism were especially responsible. If anything, it was the characteristics of the ruling structures at the time â most of them kingdoms bickering with each other over local issues, while the storm was gathering at the gates. In this regard, Hinduism was probably no more responsible for the onslaught and severe defeats than was Islam to the Mongol attacks. It has been argued by some that the different codes of warfare had something to do with it: i.e. Hindus saw warfare as something of a sport in which everyone put down arms at sunset and camped, while obviously the Islamic invaders did not. But the extent of impact this particular tradition had is debatable. In fact, if the Hindus persisted with this habit after the first few encounters, they probably deserved what they got. I doubt it.
>>3) Why are some Hindu's still ashmaed of their creed - when India has been independent for more than half a century and is actually beginning to rise again.
Hindus generally grow up in a global climate where the prevalent worldview is monotheistic, where polytheism is systematically derided as heathen, pagan, intellectually unworthy, etc. For much of the past five decades, it has been taken pretty much for granted that polytheism can be derided casually. For the most part, neither Hinduism nor Buddhism were mentioned in most low- (or even high-) brow commentaries alongside the monotheistic religions as worthy counterparts â especially in the English language which the people I am referring to are used to. Only now things are beginning to change. Furthermore, history indicates that for over a millennium Hinduism has not been the dominant religion (even though it always was the majority) even in India. This shame is largely a concatenation of all these factors â plus the ground reality that most of these Indians are usually high achievers. The rather unworthy Hindu identity, in their view, does not match their own physical reality and cannot be used as a construct within which to explain their success, so the need for this disjointed approach when dealing with foreigners.
>>4) What can be done to evolve the creed so it modifies/eliminates the parts which cause this latent shame.
When it comes to religion, I strongly believe evolution is the solution and Hinduism allows that abundantly. Nothing needs to be âdoneâ in a comprehensive interventionary sense, and certainly not in the sense of some religious gathering generating a policy directive or something (not likely in any case). This latent shame will gradually vanish when the encounter that I described in the bolded part above become more evenly balanced on a global scale, not just among the elites. The balance is already adjusting favourably and it will continue to do so. Partly, it will also be a function of the foreigner more inclined to be diplomatic. Money is a great equalizer.
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As I initially said, much of what I said is intuitive and not (as far as I know) reinforced by any research. I will continue in that vein. I am not sure it is the characteristics of Hinduism itself that makes a certain subsection of Hindus feel ashamed, but rather the way they believe Hinduism in general is perceived in those parts of the world where they would like to stand out as being at the leading edge of society. It is probably a function of the ignorance of those they encounter. In general, this would mean a superficial understanding of our polytheistic milieu, although there is in fact a buffet of belief paths or philosophical streams to choose from. So: a lack of knowledge on the part of the foreigner and an unwillingness/inability (for various reasons) to explain on the part of the Hindu. But the foreigner holds the upper hand in this encounter, so the Hindu says âI was born a Hinduâ with a semi-sheepish lookâ¦.
>>2) What characteristics in Hinduism led to its defeat (atleast in part at the hands of islam) , withdrawal and the shame
I am not sufficiently well informed about this to comment confidently, but I do not think the characteristics of Hinduism were especially responsible. If anything, it was the characteristics of the ruling structures at the time â most of them kingdoms bickering with each other over local issues, while the storm was gathering at the gates. In this regard, Hinduism was probably no more responsible for the onslaught and severe defeats than was Islam to the Mongol attacks. It has been argued by some that the different codes of warfare had something to do with it: i.e. Hindus saw warfare as something of a sport in which everyone put down arms at sunset and camped, while obviously the Islamic invaders did not. But the extent of impact this particular tradition had is debatable. In fact, if the Hindus persisted with this habit after the first few encounters, they probably deserved what they got. I doubt it.
>>3) Why are some Hindu's still ashmaed of their creed - when India has been independent for more than half a century and is actually beginning to rise again.
Hindus generally grow up in a global climate where the prevalent worldview is monotheistic, where polytheism is systematically derided as heathen, pagan, intellectually unworthy, etc. For much of the past five decades, it has been taken pretty much for granted that polytheism can be derided casually. For the most part, neither Hinduism nor Buddhism were mentioned in most low- (or even high-) brow commentaries alongside the monotheistic religions as worthy counterparts â especially in the English language which the people I am referring to are used to. Only now things are beginning to change. Furthermore, history indicates that for over a millennium Hinduism has not been the dominant religion (even though it always was the majority) even in India. This shame is largely a concatenation of all these factors â plus the ground reality that most of these Indians are usually high achievers. The rather unworthy Hindu identity, in their view, does not match their own physical reality and cannot be used as a construct within which to explain their success, so the need for this disjointed approach when dealing with foreigners.
>>4) What can be done to evolve the creed so it modifies/eliminates the parts which cause this latent shame.
When it comes to religion, I strongly believe evolution is the solution and Hinduism allows that abundantly. Nothing needs to be âdoneâ in a comprehensive interventionary sense, and certainly not in the sense of some religious gathering generating a policy directive or something (not likely in any case). This latent shame will gradually vanish when the encounter that I described in the bolded part above become more evenly balanced on a global scale, not just among the elites. The balance is already adjusting favourably and it will continue to do so. Partly, it will also be a function of the foreigner more inclined to be diplomatic. Money is a great equalizer.
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