Hinduism and Religion

Though Hinduism finds an affinity (though not identity) with the mystical traditions of Christianity and Islam, it cannot accept the exclusivism and intolerance that has occurred in the outer side of these religions, and which to some degree has occurred even in dharmic traditions (even in Hinduism). Hinduism can be critical of these and other religions on a number of points, particularly where they fail to understand the higher levels of consciousness and universal laws like karma.

Yet Hinduism is not afraid of criticism by other religions. It is not restricted to a particular revelation and so can grow and develop where it finds itself to be wrong. It is willing to listen to those of other religious beliefs, and change itself if such criticism is found to be correct. Its religion is ever renewing itself through time and not confined to any historical doctrine.

Hinduism has no one book, teacher or event that everything has to be harmonized to. It accepts an evolution of religion as well as one of life, with the ability of people today to improve upon their religion, make it more relevant to themselves, or to invent new religions that may be better, or at least more useful, than the old. Hinduism views past religion as the ground on which to build our own unique spiritual realization. The past should neither be ignored or discarded, nor should we limit ourselves to it, but use it carefully as a resource for our own development today.

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