| Religious Pluralism
and Unity of Religions Some modern Hindu teachers have stated that
all religions are one, that they are all ultimately the same and all equally good. They
look upon different religions as merely alternative ways to reach the same goal, as little
more than different names for the same thing. This has caused them to mix different
religions together, often with little discrimination, trying to be all things to all
people.
While their view may be motivated by a sincere effort to bring about
religious harmony and world peace, it has led to many distortions. Above all it has gone
against the pluralistic approach of the Hindu tradition. Making all religions the same is a denial of pluralism and can breed another
form of intolerance. Pluralism in any field does not mean that all alternatives are the
same but that we do have different choices, which may not all be good or equal.
Having pluralism in food, for example, means that we can
choose from many different types of food. It does not mean that all food articles are of
equal nutritional value or of the same taste. This
equating of all religions as equal and good makes it appear wrong for religions to
disagree with one another, even if their views are contrary. It destroys discrimination in
religion and makes people blur over different views of God, immortality, the goal of life,
and the ways to achieve these. |
