Hindu-Based Cults

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I. Introduction

1. Prayers

How does one nail jello to the wall?

Maybe here is a better question…
why would you want to nail something to a wall?
-For support
-For decoration
-For other tools
So why would you want to Nail jello to the wall?
-That is the conversation we need to have.
We must ask: What is the point of one’s religious views?

2. Hinduism

It is perhaps one of the most jello like of the religions that has endless interpretation because of one simple belief
All is Bahaman, therefore all is God… this chair is part of God, the cow is part of God, you are part of God, all seperation is deception, so you can worship waterever
What do you know about hinduism?
It is very hard to identify except to say that it is the religious worldview that was developed in India

Hindus prefer the term sanatana dharma which means “eternal religion” or “eternal tradition

Hinduism. A family of divergent beliefs which together make up the main religion of India based on religious writings called Vedas and the Upanishads. Teaches reincarnation—the transmigration of souls; karma—one’s actions determine his destiny in the next existence; and nirvana—the absorption of the person into the whole of reality
Gardner, H. Lynn. 2010. Commending and Defending Christian Faith: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. College Press Publishing Co.

Worldview tells us why

A worldview , can be defined as any philosophy, ideology, religion, or movement that provides an all-encompassing approach to understanding reality.

Then these beliefs create a culture based on them:
Book quotes 25 Pleasing God with Media and the Arts

The word culture comes from the root cult, meaning “belief.” Culture is the externalization of beliefs and worldview.

So, what kind of culture does Hinduism create?
Many Americans have concluded that the East, that quiet land of meditating gurus and simple life, has the answer to our craving for meaning and significance

II. The beliefs and response to Hinduisms

1. The worldview of Hinduism

1. Their “god”

Hinduism has traditionally been considered polytheistic—the worship of many gods—but may better be described as henotheistic—the worship of one particular god without disbelieving in the existence of others.
Hinduism recognizes up to 333 million gods, but many Hindus believe this vast number represents the infinite forms of god—god is in everyone, god is in everything ·
Brahman is the one infinite-impersonal, ultimate reality.
· Nothing exists that is not Brahman.
-So God cannot be known, “he” has no attributes
-There is no revelation of God
· If anything that is not Brahman appears to exist it is maya—illusion—and does not truly exist.
· Anything that appears to exist as a separate and distinct object such as a tree or a rock is an illusion.
Yet, there is a contradiction
They have a trinity
Brahma the creator of the universe,
Vishnu the preserver of the universe, and
Shiva the destroyer of the universe.
These gods, along with the other millions of deities, are considered manifestations of either one supreme god or a single, transcendent power called Brahman
Hindus revere many authoritative scriptures,
such as the Vedas
composed around 1500 BC) in Northern India
they are a collection of verses and hymns written in Sanskrit that contains revelations received by ancient sages
But, these places other scriptures’ claims are confusing and self-contradictory in many places.
These scriptures are read primarily by Hindu scholars and priests, not by laypeople or everyday adherents
Hinduism in its many forms has no founder, no single sacred scripture, and no unified creed or confession
Jesus’ teachings are said to reflect Vedic philosophy.
It is suggested that Christians have misunderstood the teachings of Jesus and that Hindu sages have a better grasp of them.
Hindus view Jesus as one of many holy men who communicated spiritual truth
Though, they say he was not perfect:
his imperfection is evident in (among other things) the anger he showed in driving moneychangers out of the temple (Mark 11:15–19) and in causing the fig tree to wither (Matt. 21:19).

2. The World - What does the world consist of? Is the world good, bad, or neutral?

Ultimate reality is beyond distinction—it just is.
They say We cannot express ultimate reality in language.
Language requires duality (speaker and listener; subject and predicate). Thus, language cannot convey truth about reality.

5. The universe is made of several different realms but basically the universe consists of tri-loka or “triple world system.”

a) There is an upper heavenly realm that is the abode of gods, goddesses, demons and semi-divine beings.

b) There is a lower realm that is the abode of lesser demons, ghosts and other beings.

c) There is a middle, earthly realm where human beings live.

4. The Problem for Humans 

soul, atman, is eternal, and that when the physical body dies the soul is reborn in another body—whether of an insect, animal, or human

Salvation According to Hindus

samsara. Rebirth is affected by karma—the result of deeds or actions—in the present life.
There is no concept of sin in Hinduism like the bible.
there is the law of karma that says every good thought, word, or deed affects the next life favorably while every bad thought, word, or deed leads to suffering in the next life.
Individuals are born into a particular caste depending on their actions in the previous life.
Good karma leads to rebirth in a higher caste and bad karma to a lower caste.
One can only become a member of a different caste through death and rebirth.
Eventually, the soul will attain moksha—alternately called salvation, enlightenment, or liberation from rebirth—and become one with the universal power, Brahman

5.  The Solution for Humans  

· The goal is to reach oneness with the One.
· Reaching oneness with the One is not about finding the one true path. Many paths exist from maya (illusion) to reality. (all rivers lead to the Ocean)

One illustration is that union with Brahman is like the merging of a drop of water (your atman) with the ocean (Brahman). One loses all identity as he becomes part of Brahman.

3 solutions to the problem of illusion
(1) karma marga (the way of action and ritual—involving prescribed ceremonies, duties, and religious rites);
yoga is a discipline to transform the individual and become one with the universal power.
Includes a particular set of techniques, usually including meditation, to control the body, the breath, and the mind.

Our personalities predispose us to a certain type of yoga.

(1) Hatha Yoga—for physically active people.

(2) Karma Yoga—for active people.

(3) Bhakti Yoga—for emotionally inclined people.

(4) Jinana Yoga—for reflective or intellectual person

(2) jnana marga (the way of knowledge and meditation—one must dispel ignorance and come to experientially know that the only reality is Brahman);
(3) bhakti marga (the way of devotion—involving private and public acts of worship)

6. Community and Ethics  

The caste system:

b) The major groupings for the caste system are:

(1) Brahmans—priests, teachers, scholars

(2) Ksatriyas—kings, warriors, government officials

(3) Vaishyas—farmers, traders, merchants

(4) Shudras—unskilled workers

(5) The Untouchables

The caste system is rigid, unjust, and cruel. There were very few attempts to reform this system before the time when Hinduism was influenced by Christian ideas

What Is the Purpose of Life for a Hindu?

Hindus have four specific goals in human life.
Dharma: pursuing virtuous behavior and fulfilling one’s duty in life
Artha: pursuing and acquiring success and wealth
Kama: pursuing pleasure in all its forms
Moksha: pursuing salvation
What is the goal of the christian life?
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
Why might the hindu version appeal to people?
Why is the christian way better?
The writers didn’t say the two chief ends of man, but one.
Us seeking his glory leads to our great enjoyment

7. Interpretation of History 

We say, those who do not learn from history are ____? Failed to repeat it
The bible teaches Linear view of history
  All events happen for a reason. History is headed for an ultimate completion point
Jesus is coming and the recreation one day
Hindus believe in Cyclical view of history
  Events of life happen in repeatable stages (like the four seasons or days of the week

Hindus believe that the universe undergoes cyclical processes of creation, preservation, and destruction. Thus the current manifestation of the cosmos is just one of innumerable universes that have preceded it, and that will succeed it. (Thomas A. Robinson and Hillary Rodriguez, eds., World Religions, 162)

Hare Krishna type of Hinduism

Hare Krishna relates to one of the more preeminent gods in Hinduism—Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe.

Jesus and Krishna

Jesus Christ is seen as subordinate to Krishna and has even been called Krishna’s son.
One christian scholar talked about his conversion to Hare Krishna:
I woke suddenly from a deep sleep to the sound of the name of “Krishna” being uttered in some way, as if someone was present in my room and had spoken his name out loud. Upon waking I immediately had a most profound sense of Krishna’s actual presence in my bedroom, a presence no less real than the presence of another living person in the room, though I was alone at the time. I responded to this felt presence, first through my thoughts that repeated Krishna’s name (and inquired of his presence), and then verbally out loud by uttering Krishna’s name twice: Krishna, Krishna. I was seized at this moment with a most sweet feeling of completeness and joy
How does this sound like what christians are wrongly looking for?
Where does the bible tell us to long for a real presence?
Nowhere!
But we are warned about the appealing deceptions of false prophets:
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 NASB95
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

The works required by Krishna

The Hare Krishna mantra must be chanted thousands of times; one must serve the spiritual master in various ways; there are numerous dietary and social regulations; the ceremonies must be observed properly; and so forth. This is far removed from salvation by grace through faith.

The Krishna devotional method involving chanting while dancing with the accompaniment of small brass hand-cymbals is called sankirtana. In developing Krishna consciousness, Hare Krishnas are expected to chant at least 16 rounds each day—a “round” consisting of singing the mantra once on each of 108 prayer beads.

The basic issue is whether a person should accept Krishna and reject Christ or accept Christ and reject Krishna. One cannot have it both ways. Emotional experiences cannot settle the case. Instead, a comparison should be made between what we know about them, what they taught, and how they lived. Krishna is a legendary figure who taught a works system of salvation. His life was one of questionable morality, he did not suffer for others, and his death was that of an ordinary man. Jesus was a historical Person who offered salvation as a free gift to anyone who would trust in Him. He led a sinless life, suffered a cruel death on a cross that others might live, and rose from the dead.

2.Why Hinduism Fails as a Worldview

1.  Hinduism cannot account for our own existence.

If everything in the world is “illusion” then ultimately we do not exist.
Hindu: Everything is god, all is one, undifferentiated whole, without distinctions. Distinctions are illusory.
Christian Presuppositionalist: By making that claim you are making a distinction. You are thus declaring that illusion exists and does not exist at the same time, and are thus violating the logical law of non-contradiction. Your worldview contradicts itself and cannot be trusted in as a foundation for knowledge. 

2. Since the Absolute in Hinduism is impersonal, Hinduism is unable to account for personhood in the universe.

Personhood must come from an absolute Person.
ultimate goal of absorption into Brahman, thereby losing one’s personal identity, has little appeal when compared to the possibility of living eternally, side-by-side, with the living, personal God of the universe (Rev. 22:1–5). Instead of being absorbed into a “Universal Soul,” Scripture points to the reality that we will be given a resurrection body that will never again get sick, age, suffer pain, or die (1 Cor. 15:35–58).

3. Hinduism cannot account for morality.  

Hinduism leads to the view that there is no good and evil. Since all actions are part of the “illusion” there really is no good or evil, right or wrong, within Hinduism.  Since ultimate reality is One, there can be no distinctions. Yet most Hindus do want to hold on to some form of morality in their practical lives. But if they do want to hold to some form of morality what is the ultimate basis for morality? An impersonal absolute cannot be a basis for good and evil.
Karma sounds fair except:
Why does one get punished (via karma) for something he or she cannot remember having done in a previous life? Further, if the purpose of karma is to rid humanity of its selfish desires, then why has there not been a noticeable improvement in human nature after all the millennia of reincarnations?
how do they explain the immense and ever-worsening social and economic problems—including widespread poverty, starvation, disease, and horrible suffering—in India, where reincarnation has been systematically taught throughout its history

4. Hinduism cannot account for knowledge. 

Hinduism leads to chaos.
a. According to Hinduism, the pursuit of the One must transcend knowledge and language. It must transcend ideas, beliefs, and doctrines. Yet this claim is self-refuting. The claim that reality transcends knowledge and language is itself a truth claim. We also could ask the question, “If Hinduism were true, how could we know it?” Why should we accept the claim of learned Hindus about the proper way to the One or any issue at all?
b. This perspective is irrational in that it removes knowledge and language any role when it comes to truth.
c. A consistent Hindu should make no claims at all since what is real transcends all knowledge, logic, and language.
d. This issue also affects the morality issue. If we can have no knowledge then how can there be any morality whatsoever since morality is based on a knowledge of what is right and wrong?

5. Hinduism is wrong that “all rivers lead to the ocean.”

The analogy itself is not true nor is it true that all religions lead to the ultimate reality of Hinduism. The various religions make mutually exclusive claims, thus they cannot all lead to the same result or goal.

III. Tips for evangelism

This worldview is nothign new:

Fear not!
Read Acts 17:16
Acts 17:16 NASB95
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.
Acts 17:21 NASB95
21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
Paul calls them religious and begins explaining creation, but calls them to stop worshipping their creations instead of the true God (v29)
o Paul exhorts them to believe this gospel message he has just preached that there is a time coming that God will no longer be patient with them.
o There is a promise of coming judgment, which is a threat
Does Paul keep the door open to many options to make things easier for them? Why not?

Be Personal:

(1) Ask questions about his/her beliefs on various worldview issues (God, humans, human problem, human solution, view of time, etc.)

(2) Ask for clarification on their terminology. Words such as “God,” “salvation,” etc. may mean differing things to a Hindu.

(3) Remember that Hinduism is a vast and eclectic religion, so the individual Hindu you are speaking to may have his/her own views that differ at times from other Hindus.

Use the bible!

Gandhi once said, “I shall say to the Hindus that your lives will be incomplete unless you reverently study the teachings of Jesus
Since Hindus tend to have a fascination for sacred scripture, many Christian apologists recommend directly turning to the Bible
Once you have listened, offer the biblical perspective on the worldview issues that have been brought up
John 3:16 NASB95
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
What do we often emphasize?
But how does focusing on the only begotten part necessary hindus?

Point out grace

Hinduism is a very works-oriented religion in which you get exactly what you deserve. Many Hindus have said that these topics appealed to them since there is no mercy and forgiveness within Hinduism.

Emphasize

Hindu’s typically are searching but never finding, so take them to the scriptures fast!

, missionary and church planter J. Brennan says,
are the story of creation (Gen. 1–2), the fall of humankind (Gen. 3), God’s law (Ex. 20:1–21), true uncleanness (Mark 7:14–23), the healing of the lame man (Mark 2:1–12), Jesus defeats Satan (Luke 4:1–13), Jesus’s death (Mark 15), Christ’s resurrection (Matt. 28), the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31), the Pharisee and the sinful woman (Luke 7:36–50), Peter’s hearers repent (Acts 2:37–41), counting the cost of belief in Jesus (Matt. 10:26–39), and salvation through faith (Eph. 2:1–10).

Conclusion

The issue with worldviews that claim contradictions are totally fine is that they do not work in life
If two cars are driving down the same single lane road in opposite directions… why does non-contradiction sundenly matter?
If Jesus is right and eternal life is on the line, why does this matter?
We are trying to nail jello to the wall because true religion is not about being comforted or being a better person
True religion is eternal life or death

IV. Closing prayer

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