Running head: CRITICAL THINKING
1
Critical Thinking Paper
Marissa T. Rall
Liberty University
Author Note
This paper was written in Proper APA Style
Selected worldview: Hinduism
CRITICAL THINKING
2
Similarities Between Hinduism and Christianity
With every comparison, there is always one or more shared similarity between religions.
Religion is considered “the belief in and worship of a god group of gods.” Massive varieties of
religion can be found internationally and practiced globally. One may find it very surprising the
many similarities between the worldviews of Hinduism and Christianity. Some similarities
include the belief in reincarnation. Not only do Hindus believe in reincarnation, but Christians as
well. While some may think or believe Christians dismissed this, it was in fact openly embraced.
Both births (Christ and Krishna) were born to virgin mothers. Angels warned both parents of
Christ and Krishna that there were people seeking to kill the babies. Both worldviews share a
similarity of how the universe, as we know it, came into being. They both believe that one day
the “truth” is to only be revealed by God himself to us humans. Both religions also have some of
the same teachings and morals such as prayer, forgiveness, maintaining self-control, nonviolence
use, and to love your neighbor as yourself. To sum it up, we see both worldviews are alike in
various ways. They are very popular religions and both have a considerable number of followers
as well.
Comparisons Between Hinduism and Christianity
When there are similarities, one may begin to think about the comparisons as well. While
Hinduism and Christianity have many similarities, the two also have comparisons as well. The
first big difference between the two is Christianity believes there is only one God: Father, Son,
and Holy spirit - Trinity. Whereas Hinduism believes that there are many gods, but that they all
come from Atman. Hindus are said to have millions of gods. Christians believe a relationship
with God is Him (God) being our Father and we being His children, whom we are to obey.
Hindus, on the other hand, do not view their gods as their father to others who worship them.
When it comes to the holy book, Christians only read from one, the Holy Bible. The Bible is the
word of God. God used man to write the scriptures in the Bible. Then we have Hindus who read
scriptures from Vedas, collections from sacred writings. There is a belief that Vedas have no
beginning nor an end. Many Hindu writings are highly respected by Hindus. Places of worship
CRITICAL THINKING
3
are churches by Christians. Hindus worship in temples, as well in their homes. A Hindu temple is
a symbolic house, seat and body of divinity. Churches are more castle-like and most made of
stone. All in all, the comparison of two worldviews is a delicate endeavor.
Word count: 429
CRITICAL THINKING
4
Critical Thinking Paper
The Question of Origin - Hinduism
“Because Hinduism is plural, with a vast collection of customs and beliefs of numerous
communities, over many periods of history, there is no single story of creation”,
(Pattanaik, 2017). According to Hinduism, there is no specific moment of origin.
Everything is timeless and invariably existing. The Vedas tell of Brahman (the Cosmic
Principle) that holds responsibility for bringing in being the earth, sky, and atmosphere.
Brahma is the Hindu creator God. He created human beings and all life. It is said that he
created man as the first of the animals and created them from his soul. When compared to
a biblical worldview, Christians believe that “God is triune and all three persons of the
Godhead were involved in the creation of the universe and mankind,” [Lew Weider
(2015). (p. 65).
The Question of Identity
Hinduism does not believe in individuality of just one person. A person that follows and
practices Hindu is not looked at as an individual but more like a part of a whole. It is the entire
unit that is most important. In Christianity our identity lies in Christ it’s in and through us that he
manifests himself.
The Question of Meaning and Purpose
According to Hinduism, the meaning (purpose) of life is four-fold: to act virtuously and
righteously which also means to act morally and ethically throughout one’s life, to obtain
enjoyment from life, to obtain wealth and prosperity and fourth to seek enlightenment from life,
(Sivakumar, 2014). On the contrary Christians believe their main purpose for life is to glorify
God down here on the earth
CRITICAL THINKING
5
The Question of Morality
In Hinduism it is believed that Dharma (Morality) can be described as having right
conduct and that one should strive to do the right thing at all times. In Christianity, the Bible
(God's Word) is the moral standard that Christians live by.
The Question of Destiny
Since Hindus believe in reincarnation they believe that a soul that does good in this life
will be significantly rewarded in their next life and that that soul will continue to be reborn.
Christians believe too that they will be rewarded in their eternal life with Jesus upon their earthly
death in this life and that will be their final life for all of eternity.
Word Count: 359
References
https://www.dailyo.in/variety/hindusim-world-creation-universe-brahma-vishu-
shiva/story/1/19522.html
Lew Weider (2015). (p. 65). Finding Your Worldview: Thinking Christianly about the
World, Revised Ed.. B&H Academic. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
(https://u.osu.edu/group5/2014/10/12/the-meaning-of-life-according-to-
CRITICAL THINKING
6
hinduism/comment-page1/)
Total word count: 788
