Posted on 11/24/2009 8:07:16 AM PST by Steelfish
Well, as a Christian I think of Hinduism as a false religion. But I would prefer to convert them rather than condemn them.
The God Who is worshipped by Jews and Christians demanded sacrifices in the Temple, until the time of Jesus. These were sacrifices. Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the Temple, where a dove or pigeon was sacrificed for him.
Most biblical commentators would see this as typological. From the time of the Exodus, the Passover substituted a lamb for the firstborn son. It was slaughtered and eaten, and the blood was smeared on the doorposts. This was seen as a substitute for human sacrifice, going back to the story of Abraham and Isaac.
Christians ended the practice when Jesus became the One sufficient sacrifice for all. And Jews ended the practice when the Temple was destroyed, although they still celebrate Passover—the meal on which the Last Supper was modeled.
So, yes, the Hindus are following a false religion. But it’s not as far out as all that to think that God, or the gods, want sacrifices. That was pretty much a universal idea in almost all major religions.
I got further details from my wife at lunch: The “Hindus” in this article are essentially Buddhists, and do eat beef, so the sacrifice is not inconsistent with their beliefs, though it is not a part of true Hindu worship.
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY.
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