The question, does Hinduism have a “god” is most interesting! Here is one statement dealing with the subject: “Hinduism cannot be described as an organized religion. It is not founded by any individual. Hinduism is God centred and therefore one can call Hinduism as founded by God, because the answer to the question ‘Who is behind the eternal principles and who makes them work?’ will have to be ‘Cosmic power, Divine power, God.” (Tawfik Hamid). One might ask, “Do you know any more than you did to start with?” Just how unorganized is Hinduism? It is said that Hindus, can in fact, choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, agnostic and even atheistic! It is most difficult to arrive at any comprehensive definition as to just what Hinduism is. The general answer is, Hinduism is whatever the individual person determines for himself, this is “Hinduism!” Nevertheless, there are some practices; such as: 1) Yoga, 2) meditations, 3) a pilgrimage to what they call, “holy cities,” as in more than one, and 4) they live according to “one’s dharma (purpose/role), or as one determines. But in the end, Hinduism is whatever the individual mind says it is!!
Is the Hinduism religion just as good as all other religions and no worse? Yes and no! One may debate just how Hinduism is measured alongside all other religions but when tested by the religion of Christ, it falls deeply short and in fact, it’s moral base is very weak and this a real understatement! As one writer put it: “The greatest problem for Hinduism is its lack of a moral foundation. Recall that in a Hindu universe, good and evil are equal opposites, created by the mind of Brahma. In such a worldview, it cannot be said that there is anything wrong with evil.” (An Essay By Hannah D. // 9/6/2013). It is, therefore, a most convenient religion!
Without any hesitation, it maybe concluded that Hinduism is a religion that is not the equal to Christianity; and not only so, but it is harmful to those who follow it! Hinduism came, largely, through the minds of unknown men! One of the more interesting things about Hinduism is that it has no founder, neither does it have a date of origin. The writers of what is known as “sacred” texts are largely unknown! It is believed that Hinduism started as early as 1,500 B.C. and their oldest text is the Vedas. In our study, it is most important to note that there is no one core teaching; thus, it is removed from controversies, as in “proof text” debates! It is mostly cultural and not creedal. Hindus consider the Vedas to be apauruseya, which means ‘not of a man, superhuman’ and ‘impersonal, authorless” (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Also from Wikipedia, this: “Vedas are also called śruti (“what is heard”) literature,[8] distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called smrti (“what is remembered”).” Nevertheless, whatever written material Hinduism has, it is all from the weak minds of men!
However, this is not the end, these writing also are divided. “There are four Vedas: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda.” Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas(text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the Upanishads (texts discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge). Yet, Hinduism is still largely just what a person says it is, more or less! I was unable to find information about disfellowship or excommunication! This certainly goes along with the individuality, the nature of Hinduism!
When the question is asked: “Is one religion as good as any other religion?” The answer, despite “pluralism” which has become the religion of the “Politically Correct,” Hinduism is not as good as, nor anywhere near “the teaching of Christ,” which was given by the Holy Spirit through inspired men! There is no salvation in Hinduism!
Frank R. Williams