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Criticism of Hinduism refers to the practices and beliefs held by Hindus which have been criticised both by Hindus and non-Hindus.
Social structure
The caste system in India and Nepal has existed for centuries. It is described as a hierarchical, endogamous and closed system of castes that assigned people different classes in society. Hindu scripture however state that the caste system is not hierarchical but based on the person's character, knowledge and work. Caste-based identification is unique to Indian society
When the British started to classify castes for the purpose of colonial administration, caste associations were secularised.
Idol Worship
Western criticism of Hinduism as superstitious idolatry are based on the religious texts of Abrahamic religions which denounce and condemn the practice of creating Idols and Worshiping them. One of the passages in the Bible that criticize idol worship reads as follow:
Their idols are silver and gold, The work of the hands of earthling man. A mouth they have, but they cannot speak; Eyes they have, but they cannot see; Ears they have, but they cannot hear. A nose they have, but they cannot smell. Hands are theirs, but they cannot feel. Feet are theirs, but they cannot walk; They utter no sound with their throat. Those making them will become just like them, All those who are trusting in them.- Psalms 115:4-8
Notes
- "Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices" by Jeaneane Fowler p. 19-20
- Chatterjee, Partha (1993). The Nation and Its Fragments: Colonial and Post-Colonial Histories. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 173. ISBN 0691019436.
If there was one institution that... centrally and essentially characterized the Indian society as radically different from the Western society, it was the institution of caste.
- "Religion, Caste, and Politics in India", by Christophe Jaffrelot, p. 450
- https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=gcQExpfQkBYC&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=%22their+idols+are+silver+and+gold%22+hindu&source=bl&ots=RKmSld_lJj&sig=mwRqQjJChHovR5PrEdbXjaXZcD4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMoIO3xu_aAhUGS48KHTfDBFUQ6AEwC3oECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22their%20idols%20are%20silver%20and%20gold%22%20hindu&f=false
- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+115%3A4-8&version=NIV
See also
References
- Apte, Vaman Shivram. The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Flood, Gavin (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-43878-0.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Keay, John (2000). India: A History. Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0.
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