Introduction
When comparing different religions in theology and religion, it is essential to have a clear distinction between the two religions. The term Abrahamic was derived from patriarch Abraham, a primary figure delineated in both Quran, Bible, and Tanakh, recognized by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. When persons refer to the Abrahamic religions, they usually explore and think more about Christianity, Judaism, and Islamic. However, there are more Abrahamic religions apart from the significant three religions, as mentioned earlier, such as Yezidi, Rastafari, Druze, Samaritan, and Baha’ I Faith. Abrahamism faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) pose to have the highest number of adherents. In 2015, 55.5 % (3.8 billion) of the global populace were categorized as adherents of Abrahamism. Abrahamic Religions are a collection of Semitic-originated faiths, claiming their ancestry from Judaism of the earliest Israelites and the adoration of the God of Abraham. Hinduism, on the other hand, poses to be among the earliest religion in the world. Unlike Abrahamic religions, Hinduism has no single scripture, founder, nor universally agreed established of teachings. The river complex of the Northwest, the Sindhu, was the origin of the term Hinduism. Generally, the source of the name Hinduism is said to be geographical, cultural, and political. Due to the varied teachings in Hinduism, scholars often refer to it as “a family of religions or a way of life” (Crystalwind.ca 2010). To secure a clear distinction between the two religions, careful and extensive information is presented regarding how God is understood between the two religions, key ideas, perception of orthodoxy in each, and how common practices influence God’s position between the two religions.
Crystalwind.ca. (2010, November 24). Introduction to Hindusim. Crystal Wind™. https://www.crystalwind.ca/find-your-way/many-paths/hinduism/introduction-to-hindusim
Understanding God in Hinduism and Abrahamic Religions
Unlike the Abrahamic religions, Hinduism is a faith with various Goddesses and Gods, with three Gods ruling the universe; Brahma, the creator, Shiva, the destroyer, and Vishnu, the preserver. Besides the mentioned three Gods, other Goddesses and Gods exist, such as Ganesh, Hanuman, Ganga, and Surya, to mention a few. According to Raines and Maguire (2001), in Hinduism, not all these Gods are adored by Hindus, and Hindus worship their God according to their personal needs, for instance, commercial people worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth while those who engage in wrestling worship Hanuman, source of physical strength. Similar to Abrahamic religion, Hindus believe in one God who is all-powerful, and he is a personal God whom they can adore out of love. God is formless, and he is beyond any form of shape or color (attributeless god). Similarly, like the Abrahamic religion, the more versed Hindus, in Hinduism, insist that one should only worship and believe in one God.
On the contrary, Abrahamic religion believes in one God. The three religions believe that God is the sole creator of everything in the universe. For Jews, they refer to God’s teachings in the Tanakh, while Christians, the Bible, and the Islamic teachings bout God or Allah are in the Quran. The three religions believe in monotheism, which is the notion that only one God exists. In Abrahamism, everything in the world is God’s, while in Hinduism, everything on the earth is God. In Abrahamic religion, God is viewed as holy, and no other gods should be worshipped. God, in Abrahamic faith, is perceived as omnipotent, one who provides everything unlike in Hinduism where they believe in polytheism.
Key Concepts in Hinduism and Abrahamic Religions
The primary concept in Hinduism is that religion is polytheistic; they believe in the existence of many gods. Hindus worship and adore their Gods, depending on their personal needs. In the concept of creation, Hindus believe that the universe was created by Brahma, the creator who made the universe out of himself. In Hinduism, the creation of the word is eternal; follow phases of destruction and creation. Thus, creation refers to the beginning of a new phase of the world. Hindus embrace diverse religion ideas, hence being referred to as the way of life or a” family of religions” as opposed to a solely organized faith. Henotheistic is the most common of Hinduism, implying that they worship a single deity referred to as Brahma, while still recognizing other goddesses and gods. Hindus believe that there are multiple paths to getting to their god. People’s actions and thoughts directly influence their current and future lives.
Abrahamic Religion
A primary concept in the religions is the ideology of one true God, and denial of idols and false gods. God is the sole creator and human beings and the universe. In Abrahamism, in the creation concept, the world came into existence through the word of God, and there is a point when the world will come to an end. In Abrahamic religion, there is no existence of many gods, but only one sacred God who should be worshipped. In the three religions, Abraham is viewed as a common forefather. In Abrahamism, the text is a fundamental concept for Islam their refer to Allah’s teachings in the Quran; for Christians, they relate to the Bible, while the Jews use Tanakh.
Orthodox Concept
Orthodoxy is a term used to refer to the adherence to accepted or correct creeds, mostly in religion. Discovering any form of orthodoxy in Hinduism may seem nearly impossible since, in Hinduism, culture has been a privileged diversity. Indeed, there exists no established way that popular Hindus would consider to be an orthodoxy class. However, some ideologies within Hinduism tend to fulfill the notion of orthodoxy via designated by terms such as astika or acquiescent to the authority of the Vedas. The existence of many gods in Hinduism and lack a defined origin defined teachings, and practices lead to the impossibility of having an orthodox. In Christianity, the term implies the conformance with the Christian faith as represented in the creed of the ancient church. It is essential to have the right understanding of God since the traditions in Abrahamic religions relates to the concepts of monotheism.
Hindu practices are inclusive of rituals such as worship (puja), meditation (dhyana), and recitations. Family-based rites of passage, occasional pilgrimages, and annual festivals. While undertaking the fore mentioned practices, gods’ position in Hinduism is not undermined as an act of worship signifies religious devotion, directed towards one or more of the Hindu’s gods. Devotional practices focused on enhancing a profound and personal connection of love with their gods; thus, the supremacy of their gods is not undermined in the practices.
In Abrahamic religion, the three faiths share a similar concept of pilgrimage, seeking strength and forgiveness with their God. Muslims travel to Mecca, Jews to the holy temple in Jerusalem, while Christians visit shrines and sacred land. Abrahamism, charity, and purification practices are practiced as a way of helping the underprivileged. Celebrations and prayer are key practices in the three religions. In Islamic, Ramadan, and El-al-Fitr, among other festivities, are undertaken to honor God. Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Passover, and Purim, while Christians celebrate Christmas, Pentecost, among others, to honor God (Pattanaik 2020). God’s position in Abrahamism is observed and treasured, and all the practices are done to adore and recognize his supremacy.
Conclusion
Many religions exist in the present world, each having their own belief and critical concepts. Abrahamic religion poses to be one of the religions with the highest number of followers. In the comparison between the Hinduism and Abrahamism, various similarities and differences arise between the two. For instance, in the two religions, followers believe in a supernatural being that sustains their lives. The two religions have various practices undertaken at different times to honor their Gods, but these practices are carried out in different ways as per the belief. However, several distinctions exist between the two; Hinduism believes in the existence of many gods and goddesses while in Abrahamic, only one God exists, and it’s only him who should be worshipped. Religions from Abrahamic religion share a common origin, and they believe in Abraham as their ancestor, while Hindus lack a defined single origin. Despite the differences in the two religions, an individual ought to respect the teachings of other faiths irrespective of whether a contradiction exists, and none should undermine the other; this will enhance the peaceful coexistence of beings without religious conflicts.
References
Raines, J. C., & Maguire, D. C. (2001). What Men Owe to Women: Men’s Voices from World Religions. SUNY Press.
Pattanaik Read more at: https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/seven-abrahamic-influences-on-contemporary-hinduism/articleshow/73852496.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst, D. (2020, February 2). Seven Abrahamic influences on contemporary Hinduism. Mumbai Mirror. https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/seven-abrahamic-influences-on-contemporary-hinduism/articleshow/73852496.cms