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Section: Religions and cults
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Christianity, the
Cults and Other Religions:
World
religions
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Hinduism
Hinduism—the religion of most of India—is highly
complex and could be described as a family of religions rather
than a single one. It has given rise to a large number of sects
who worship different Hindu gods. Nirvana, reincarnation and
the various forms of Yoga are all expressions of basic Hinduism.
Hindus have a very large collection of holy writings, the
oldest being the Vedas. Others include the Upanishads,
the Puranas and, most sacred of all, the Bhagavad Gita.
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Brahman,
the Hindu supreme being |
Reincarnation is basic to Hindu belief. A
person's present state of existence is determined by his performance in
previous lifetimes. This is linked with the concept of karma, which means
'action'. One's present actions have consequences that govern one's state in
any future existence, and the performing of righteous acts is the key to
eventual liberation from the cycle of rebirths into eternal bliss.
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| Hinduism is responsible for the Indian caste
system which, though now outlawed by the Indian government, continues to be
an integral part of the social order. It is responsible, too, for the
revering of the sacred cow, which is allowed complete freedom of movement
and action. To a Hindu, Christ is merely one of many great
teachers. The supreme being is Brahman, impersonal and
indefinable—a philosophical concept rather than a personal
being—and man is a manifestation of Brahman, with no true
individuality and no intrinsic worth. Sin is simply the expression
of ignorance, and salvation may be achieved in one of three ways:
the way of knowledge (knowing oneself to be a part of Brahman
and not a separate entity), the way of works (following ceremonial
ritual), or the way of devotion (obedience to a particular one
of the many Hindu deities). Yoga, Hare Krishna and Transcendental Meditation
are all forms of Hinduism that in recent times have become popularised
in the Western world.
Islam (the word means 'submission') is the main religion of
the Middle East, North Africa and Western Asia.
It revolves around the figure of Mohammed, who was
born around 570 AD in the town of Mecca in present-day Saudi
Arabia. Religion at the time was largely polytheistic (many gods),
but it is likely that contact with Jews and several varieties
of Christians inclined him towards montheism (one god). His one
god was Allah.
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At the age of 40 Mohammed had the first of
many visions, which are recorded in Islam's holy book, the Koran
(or Qu'ran). The Koran is in Arabic, and translations
are frowned upon. He continued to receive revelations until his
death in AD 632. In his capacity as the receiver of these revelations,
Muslims see him as the last and greatest of the prophets.
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The name Allah
in the Arabic of the Koran |
| Mohammed's wife became his first disciple,
but general opposition led him to leave Mecca for Medina. Later, he returned
to Mecca in triumph and the new faith spread rapidly among the Arab people,
helped along by Mohammed's militant approach. Religion and state became one,
the new faith defining a way of life for individual, family and nation.
Islam is not united. Several sects maintain
different emphases. The majority of Muslims are Sunnis,
the two other major groups being the Sufis, whose approach
is more mystic than mainstream Islam, and the Shi'ites (dominant
in Iran), but there are also many smaller sects. The practice
of Islam is highly legalistic, based on the Koran and the Shari'a
(Islamic law).
Islam recognises Jesus as a prophet, but inferior to Mohammed.
Where the New Testament accounts differ from the Koran, the latter
is to be believed. Muslims deny that Jesus was the Son of God
and that he rose from the dead. In fact many deny that he was
crucified, or maintain that, if he was, he did not die. Certainly
he achieved no atonement.
Allah alone is God. He is a complete rigorist, lacking in
love or grace, and is totally transcendent. To call him 'Father'
is considered blasphemous. He is the predestinator of all things
and therefore the author of both good and evil. The popular phrase,
'It is the will of Allah', expresses the fatalism of Islam.
Allah rules by inspiring fear, not by grace. Salvation is
by adhering legalistically to the requirements of Islam. Those
who make the grade will, at the last day, enjoy Paradise, while
the rest will be tormented in hell.
Buddhism began around 500 BC as an offshoot of Hinduism. Its
founder, born in India, was Siddhartha Gautama, known
as the Buddha, meaning 'enlightened one'.
From a wealthy background, he chose to forsake the good life
for that of a beggar and, having experienced nirvana (total
God-consciousness) under a fig tree, he began to pass on his
teachings to a group of disciples. From this small beginning
the movement quickly expanded.
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The Buddha |
One variety of Buddhism—Mahayana Buddhism—
found wide acceptance outside India, chiefly in China and Japan,
and it is with these countries that Buddhism today is chiefly
associated. It has a huge collection of sacred writings, with
no clear limit to the canon. The aim of Buddhism is to achieve nirvana.
This is a difficult term to define, but it focuses on losing touch with all
consciousness of the material world in order to become lost in an awareness
of the divine.
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| But it is chiefly monks and other serious
devotees who pursue this goal with fervour. The ordinary Buddhist aims to
live by the five precepts: kill no living thing (including insects); do not
steal; do not commit adultery; tell no lies; and do not drink intoxicants or
take drugs. In the last half-century a Japanese variety
of Buddhism has gained popularity. This is Nichiren Shoshu
Buddhism, and its surge in popularity can be traced back
to the founding in Japan in 1930 of the Soka Gakkai (Value
Creation Society). It has a much more restricted canon, believing
that only one work, the Lotus Sutra, contains the true
interpretation of the words of the Buddha. Worship centres around
a small black wooden box, the gohonzon, which is in effect
a personal altar, a tiny replica of a shrine at the base of Mount
Fuji, Japan. This movement has been very missionary-minded.
The variety of Buddhism best known in the West, however, is
Zen Buddhism. 'Zen' means 'meditation'. This is a form
of the religion that recognises no particular sacred writings
but focuses instead on non-verbal activity, chiefly meditation
techniques. It requires rigorous self-discipline and emptying
oneself of unhelpful interests. Meditation is done in the classical
seated position that has become the movement's trademark, and
is usually carried out under the supervision of a Master.
The aim is to experience enlightenment, known as satori.
This is expected to come suddenly and to be of brief duration,
but it may be experienced repeatedly. Logical thought and evaluation
are considered hindrances to its achievement.
There is no personal god in Buddhism and therefore no divine
person to sin against. Jesus Christ has no status at all.
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For further reference:
 | Concise Guide to Today's Religions by J. McDowell
& D. Stewart (Scripture Press)
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| Truth Under Attack by E. Davies (Evangelical Press)
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| The Universe Next Door by J.W. Sire (IVP)
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| Understanding the New Age by R. Chandler (Word) |
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Much material is also available on the Internet
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Christian Witness
In Western society today intolerance is the worst sin. No-one,
people believe, has the right to claim exclusivity for their
religion. Instead, everyone is free to choose and practise their
own faith—provided they don't try to press it on others.
While this view may at present be politically correct, it
stands opposed to the teaching of the Bible (e.g. 1 Timothy 2:5)
and the command of Jesus to preach the gospel everywhere (e.g
Matthew 28:19-20).
How, then, should we go about witnessing to those of other
faiths, and those in the cults?
| Treat them with respect. Regardless of race, culture and
religious persuasion, every human being is made in God's image
and, as such, is worthy of our respect.
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| Ensure that your attitude is Christlike: caring, interested,
humble and helpful.
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| Acquaint yourself with the basics of the other person's religion
so that you can show yourself familiar with it and so establish
a rapport.
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| Mention some aspect of that religion which in general is
socially helpful and which you can comment on favourably.
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| Share your testimony of Christ's love and grace towards you,
and your life in the Holy Spirit. Speak warmly of the blessings
of knowing Christ here and now, and of the prospects awaiting
you at his return.
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| Leave the person with one key verse from the Bible.
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| Don't try to convert the person on the spot. Rarely will
this happen. Be content to sow a few seeds and look for opportunities
for further contact. Meanwhile, pray for them.
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| I live by the
gospel and am grateful for any financial recognition of my written ministry.
Cheques (in pounds sterling or US dollars) can be made out to David
Matthew and sent to me at 24 Broomhill, Castleford, West Yorkshire WF10
4QP, U.K. |
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Interested in reading at length about church history? Take a look at
Church Adrift. |
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