Mithrea
December 6th, 2002, 12:32 PM
I just read this fascinating article at the Boston Globe and thought I'd share it: http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/335/focus/The_God_of_new_things+.shtml
Here is a quick quote: :)
"Indeed, there was no such thing as ''Hinduism'' before the British invented the catch-all category in the early 19th century and made India seem the home of a ''world religion'' that was as organized and theologically coherent as Christianity and Islam. The word ''Hindu'' itself was first used by the ancient Persians to refer to the people living near the river Indus (''Sindhu'' in Sanskrit). It later became a convenient shorthand for those who weren't Muslims or Christians."
It's an ineteresting point that is often overlooked in World Religions classes but does it make a difference spiritually? Probably not. As pagans, we are probably more sensitive about labels or, at least it seems so, as often as the topic is brought up here. :)
Here is a quick quote: :)
"Indeed, there was no such thing as ''Hinduism'' before the British invented the catch-all category in the early 19th century and made India seem the home of a ''world religion'' that was as organized and theologically coherent as Christianity and Islam. The word ''Hindu'' itself was first used by the ancient Persians to refer to the people living near the river Indus (''Sindhu'' in Sanskrit). It later became a convenient shorthand for those who weren't Muslims or Christians."
It's an ineteresting point that is often overlooked in World Religions classes but does it make a difference spiritually? Probably not. As pagans, we are probably more sensitive about labels or, at least it seems so, as often as the topic is brought up here. :)