05-20-2005, 07:59 PM
Following posts here and Carl's posts in another thread, it appears ISKCON gives primacy to 'monotheism'. That is understandable if one were to go purely by dvaitic or vishishtadvaitic viewpoint. . But I am curious about claimed identification of Jehova and Allah with Krishna.
I didn't know about this 'syncretic' type of undercurrent in ISKCON.
The view regarding Krishna and Shiva is also curious to say the least. But it does mirror the views of Pathmarajah's version of shaivism. I wonder whether hinduism is in danger from its non-Indian protagonists. It just seems that they get it only partially, in a cosmetic sort of way. While the substructure remains of the dominant non-Indian religions of monotheistic variety.
I think ISKCON is now run by people who grew up in the so called 'monotheistic' religions. Only Judaism and Islam can be called truly monotheistic. Christianity has the trinity of father, son and holy spirit and Catholicism and now anglican protestants, also deify Mother Mary. Nevertheless Christianity is also called monotheistic.
People who grew up in montheistic religions and who converted to ISKCON, are perhaps looking for a rival monotheism in Vaishnavism. It perhaps is taken for granted there that a rival must be a monotheistic religion. Shaivism could be a major challenge to claims on monotheism, especially since ISKCON takes its root texts from India. That may be a reason for the relative lower position assigned to shiva. Perhaps Allah and Jehova are not seen as major threats.
I didn't know about this 'syncretic' type of undercurrent in ISKCON.
The view regarding Krishna and Shiva is also curious to say the least. But it does mirror the views of Pathmarajah's version of shaivism. I wonder whether hinduism is in danger from its non-Indian protagonists. It just seems that they get it only partially, in a cosmetic sort of way. While the substructure remains of the dominant non-Indian religions of monotheistic variety.
I think ISKCON is now run by people who grew up in the so called 'monotheistic' religions. Only Judaism and Islam can be called truly monotheistic. Christianity has the trinity of father, son and holy spirit and Catholicism and now anglican protestants, also deify Mother Mary. Nevertheless Christianity is also called monotheistic.
People who grew up in montheistic religions and who converted to ISKCON, are perhaps looking for a rival monotheism in Vaishnavism. It perhaps is taken for granted there that a rival must be a monotheistic religion. Shaivism could be a major challenge to claims on monotheism, especially since ISKCON takes its root texts from India. That may be a reason for the relative lower position assigned to shiva. Perhaps Allah and Jehova are not seen as major threats.