Not long ago, I discussed an article on Islam by Cynthia Boaz. In her article, Boaz attempted to correct several misconceptions regarding Islam and presented us with a progressive, liberal, and tolerant interpretation of Islam. While there are Muslims outside of the US who interpret Islam in the way Boaz does, there are also Muslims [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Hindu'
Triumph of the Texts: Religion as Word
July 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Archaeology and Religion, Axial Age Religions, Classifications of Religion, Definitions of Religion, History of Religions, Hunter-Gatherers and Religion, Methodology of Religion, Shamans and Shamanism
Nearly 5,500 years ago or about 3,500 BCE, the Sumerians began writing about supernatural matters; in a sense, this marks the origin of what most people today understand as “religion.” This relatively modern and provincially Western understanding of religion is on full display in Paul Raushenbush’s article introducing HuffPo Religion’s new series on religious texts [...]
Tags:Bhagavad Gita·books·Buddhist·category of religion·Christian presuppositions·doctrinal·Edward Said·essentializing·Harvey Whitehouse·Hindu·imagistic·Jonathan Z. Smith·non-written traditions·orientalism·Paul Raushenbush·religion as academic creation·religion as text·religion as writing·religions of the book·religious writings·scriptures·shamanisms·shamanist·shamans·Sumeria·Sumerians·texts·The Word·theologians·theology·transcendence·transcendent·Vedic·word·writing
Is “Hinduism” Science Friendly?
July 8th, 2010 · No Comments · Axial Age Religions, Classifications of Religion, Definitions of Religion, Globalization and Religion, History of Religions, Power and Religion, Recent and New Religions
In yesterday’s post, I discussed Philip Goldberg’s contention that “Eastern religions” (i.e., Hinduism and Buddhism) are science friendly. To support his argument, Goldberg relies on a very specific — and Westernized — understanding of these traditions. Yesterday’s post was devoted to the Western construction and consumption of Buddhism; today’s post will cover the highly problematic [...]
Tags:consciousness·Constructions of Hinduism·David Lorenzen·eastern religions·Edward Said·energy·essentializing·Hindu·Hinduism·India·Indian nationalism·invention of Hinduism·official Hinduism·Philip Goldberg·Robert Frykenberg·social construction·South Asia·syncretism·Vedic·Western consumption·Who Invented Hinduism·Yoga
Religious Reinforcement for Social Stratification
June 29th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Archaeology and Religion, Daily Devolutions, Economy and Religion, Power and Religion, Ritual and Religion
In a recent report at Discovery News, Zahra Hirji discusses some exciting Aztec archaeological finds:
Aztec archaeologists can almost taste the jack pot. None of the empire’s royal burial sites have ever been found, but researchers participating in the Templo Mayor excavation project in downtown Mexico City think an emperor’s tomb is just around the corner.
In [...]
Tags:Aztec·Aztec deities·Aztec gods·caste·earth goddess·elites·emperor·Hindu·honor killings·India·mystification·power·royalty·social stratification·spiritual order·Tlaltecuhtli
Buddhist-Hindu “Living Goddess” to Become Banker
April 7th, 2010 · No Comments · Economy and Religion, Globalization and Religion
There is a long and venerable tradition of “human deities” (i.e., rulers and priests) having many possessions, much money, and considerable power. In a modern twist on that tradition, Nepal’s current “living goddess, Chanira Bajracharya, who serves both Buddhists and Hindus, has decided on a banking career. As reported by Reuters:
Chanira Bajracharya, 15, has been [...]
Tags:Buddhist·Hindu·living goddess
“Indian Civilization” Recognizes World as Family?
March 24th, 2010 · No Comments · Daily Devolutions
While we are on the topic of India, I came across this article in The Hindu discussing the Dalai Lama’s visit to India. This statement really caught my eye:
[Indian] Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that protection of human rights was an intrinsic feature of the Indian civilization, which recognized the world as a family [...]