| What Christian
or Muslim leaders proclaim that all religions are one or that Hindus and Buddhists have as
valid a religion as they do (and therefore do not need to be converted)? As these
religions are generally intolerant, their members have to be super intolerant to be called
fundamentalist. Hindus often have a double standard in religion that works against
them. They try to tolerate, accept or even
appreciate exclusivism, intolerance and fundamentalism when practiced by those of other
religious beliefs. For example, which Hindus are
criticizing the far more obvious fundamentalism and exclusivism among Christians and
Muslims? Meanwhile any criticism by Hindus of other religions, even when justified, may be
regarded by other Hindus as intolerance.
In addition, many Hindus, particularly of the modern
socialist-communist variety, brand even pride in Hinduism as fundamentalism. Another related term that we meet with in the Indian press today is
that of "Hindu chauvinism," though terms such as "Christian
chauvinism" or "Islamic chauvinism" do not occur in either the Indian or
the Western press. Chauvinists believe in the special superiority of their particular
group. |
