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Hindu Worldview Christian Worldview Founder

No single founder, was not originally founded as religion but was a culture that flourished in india and later became a religion.

Jesus

About

Devotion to the various gods & goddesses of Hinduism.

Sin was introduced into the world to all man-kind after Adam & Eve sinned. The world was a perfect paradise prior to man’s sin. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Concept of Deity / God

Monists believe only Brahman exists, However there are thousands of gods in Hinduism.

God is our Heavenly Father. Believe in Trinity (one God, made up of three unique persons – Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

Promised Holy One Kalki, the 10'th avatar of Vishnu.

Jesus, the Son of God

Jesus

N/A Jesus is son of living God and Savior of the world. Virgin Birth, through God. Jesus is fully God & Fully man.

Death of Jesus

N/A Death by crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to Heaven. Jesus will return again.

Second coming of Jesus

N/A Affirmed, no one knows the date of His return, not even Jesus – only God the father.

Means of Salvation

Salvation for a Hindu is called Moksha. Moksha is achieved after one is freed from the cycle of life-and-death. Found by: duties and rites; complete comprehension of the universe; acts of worship; meditation and yoga techniques.

Mankind cannot save themselves. Only God is good and therefore only God is able to save. Salvation is through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Salvation is by grace through faith & not by works.

Principle

Hinduism is diverse; no single doctrine (or set of beliefs) can represent its numerous traditions.

God created man; man sinned & fell under curse of sin. God offers redemption to sinful man through blood of Christ, but each person must

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choose to accept it.

Confession of Sin

Repentance for unintentional sins are prescribed, but intentional sins have to be repaid through karmic consequences.

Confession straight to God through prayer.

Place of Origin

Indian Subcontinent, beginning with the Vedic civilization circa 3000 BC

Jerusalem

Practices

Meditation, Yoga, contemplation, yagna (communal worship), offerings in the temple.

Prayer, Sacraments (baptism, communion), worship in congregational setting, worship privately, reading / studying Bible, Tithing.

Literal Meaning

As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion (i.e. Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism or Sikhism)

Christ means “anointed” or “messiah”. A Christian is a believer / follower of Christ.

Uses of Statues and Pictures

Common. Not used for religious practices

Clergy

No True Clergy but teachers are: Brahmans (explain ‘scripture’); Pandit or Pujari (perform religious duties); Gurus (renowned for teaching ‘scripture’ and offer guidance); Swamis (offer retreat houses, colleges & universities); Sannyasins (wandering holy men);

Pastors

Scriptures

The Vedas form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and are the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. There are four Vedas (the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda.)

The Holy Bible, a collection of canonical books (considered to be authoritative) in two parts: Old & New Testaments.

Life after Death

Most of the Hindus believe in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, which is called ‘Samsara’. Not

Man is appointed to die once & face judgment. Those who believe in Jesus and follow him live on

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mentioned in Vedas. for eternity in heaven. Those who do not believe and have rejected God will suffer in Hell.

Goal of religion

To break the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation, and attain salvation.

To love God and obey his commandments through a relationship with Jesus Christ and to spread the good news / Gospel to others so they too may be saved.

Angels Hinduism does have many different types of spirit beings who act in a similar capacity. One example is the minor gods, or devas, literally "shining ones,"

Angels are servants of God: messengers, guardians & warriors of humanity (angels are not human beings).

Human Nature

Varies based on sect (Vaishnava, Shaivaya, & Shaktism)

Man has inherited “original sin” from Adam & Eve. Each person is in need of forgiveness of sin (which has been offered to everyone through the death of Jesus Christ).

Marriage

Sacred and indissoluble bond which joins two individuals for life, are considered one entity. The marriage also joins two families together.

Monogamistic, between one man & woman (Matt 19:3-9).

Symbols Aum or “Om”. This image represents a sacred sound.

Other important symbols include: Bindi, Linga, Lotus Flower, Pratik, Swastika, Tilak, Trisula, Yantra.

The Cross

Virtue Follow dharma (righteouness), eternal law. Love