Polytheism, idolatry, and monotheism

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Dec 23, 2021 at 11:20

Dear Dr Pipes,

Your reader Abdul Hadi quoted from the Hindu vedas and upanishads in support of his version of monotheism. It is indeed true that Hindu scriptures variously support everything from atheism, to idolatry, to monotheism, to nihilism, to everything else. So, I am very glad that Mr Hadi quoted from Hindu scriptures. However, we all will benefit if we understand something that the Hindu texts do NOT support: Hindus do not support one man killing another or one man calling another a sinner based on what/how the latter believes in or worships. This is the stark difference between Hinduism and Islam and Mr Hadi must understand it.

Each of polytheism, idolatry, atheism, and monotheism, and all other such theories can be understood and appreciated if you approach the problem with a calm mind and without hate. To a hindu mind, spirituality simply cannot exist in the cacophony played by the Taleban's, ISISes, Bokoharams, and Alqaedas of the world. Hindus resolve the matters of sin by focusing on Karma. It can (almost) be said that for the Hindus you are a sinner IF AND ONLY IF your Karmas are bad. It does not matter how you choose to praise the God becaise a good God will be hard pressed to punish you if your karmas are kind and merciful.

I request Mr Hadi to calmly investigate all aspects of spirituality including gentle monotheism. Picking random quotes from the Hindu texts to perpetuate the Islamic version of stubborn monotheism, makes your writing unworthy of scholarly considerations (little bit of humor here).

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