| Do these
missionary groups portray Hinduism as a valid religion in its own right? They are
sometimes not even teaching respect for India as a nation as the separatist agitation they
create once their members become a majority in a region reveals. Hinduism is a super
tolerant religion. No other religion in the world accepts such a diversity of beliefs and
practices or is so ready to acknowledge the validity of other religions. The idea of the unity of all religions was practically invented by
modern Hindus like Ramakrishna, Vivekananda and Gandhi. As Hinduism is a super tolerant
religion, even a little intolerance among Hindus is regarded as Hindu fundamentalism. And
the charge of intolerance can be used to discredit Hindu groups, who are extremely
sensitive to such a negative portrayal.
Throughout history Islam and Christianity, owing to the exclusive nature of their beliefs,
have been generally intolerant religions (though there have been notable exceptions). They
have not accepted the validity of other religious practices, and contain in themselves
little diversity as compared to Hinduism. |
