3 ms·
Hinduism isn't a religion, it's just a word the British made up to refer to all the (non muslim) beliefs in India in convenient shorthand
by awakeasleep 6y ago
Hinduism isn't a religion, it's just a word the British made up to refer to all the (non muslim) beliefs in India in convenient shorthand
- kelnos 6y agoEven if that's true (it's not), my point still stands. Religion isn't something you change like a jacket.
- throwawaysea 6y agoThis is correct. “Hinduism” is convenient colonialist/reductionist way of framing a culture the British colonists wanted to control and depict in certain tones. Calling “Hinduism” a religion is like inventing a term like “Americanism” and using it to refer to everything that America entails (its history, its inventions, its culture, its people) a religion.
- crossroadsguy 6y agoWhile I agree with you factually that the term hasn't been officially around since before 16th century but it definitely was used before the British arrived and colonised India for good https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism#ref261605 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism#ref261605. Besides, let's just be honest - today Hinduism/Hindu is a religion - there is no two way about it - practically and technically! This reasoning, that "oh, it's just a way of life", is often provided by people who try to deflect the argument away from Hindu nationalism, extremism, and fanaticism - especially of today. (This might not be your intention though).