https://www.conservapedia.com/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Ne0FreedomConservapedia - User contributions [en]2026-09-23T02:34:26ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.35.14https://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Genetic_engineering&diff=964413Genetic engineering2012-02-27T15:39:01Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* References */</p>
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<div>'''Genetic Engineering''' is the deliberate manipulation of an [[organism]]'s [[genetic]] material.<br />
<br />
Work done by American geneticist Barbara McClintock showed that [[gene|genes]] could jump between DNA strands. Biologists can now transfer genetic information from one organism to another. For example, genes that produce a protein that stops deep-water fish from freezing in the [[Antarctic]] can now be put into transgenic tomatoes, potatoes, and tobacco, to make them more resistant to frost.<ref>http://www.biobasics.gc.ca/english/View.asp?x=795</ref><br />
<br />
==Controversy==<br />
<br />
*The shadow of [[eugenics]] hangs over today's debates about genetic engineering and enhancement. Critics of genetic engineering argue that human [[cloning]], enhancement, and the quest for designer children are nothing more than "privatized" or "free-market" eugenics. Defenders of enhancement reply that genetic choices freely made are not really eugenic-at least not in the pejorative sense. To remove the coercion, they argue, is to remove the very thing that makes eugenic policies repugnant.<br />
*Sorting out the lesson of eugenics is another way of wrestling with the ethics of enhancement. The [[Nazis]] gave eugenics a bad name. But what, precisely, was wrong with it? Was the old eugenics objectionable only insofar as it was coercive? Or is there something inherently wrong with the resolve to deliberately design our progeny's traits? [http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:MoOFUWPq3V4J:web.mit.edu/writing/fee/2004_FEE_June_Readins.html]<br />
<br />
===Opinions in favor of genetic engineering===<br />
<br />
Some people believe that modifying food crops to improve the vitamin content or make them resist [[drought]] or herbicides will provide the world with more and better food. <br />
<br />
Genetically engineered [[bacteria]] can produce human [[insulin]] for [[diabetes|diabetics]]. Scientists hope they will be able to use it in the future to cure DNA errors that cause illnesses such as [[muscular dystrophy]] and [[cystic fibrosis]]. Cures though, are not yet imminent.<br />
<br />
===Opinions against genetic engineering===<br />
<br />
Other people believe we know far too little about the consequences of altering plants in a way that is impossible in nature. They think it is too high a risk to let such plants loose in the environment where they might cross-breed with other plants and cannot be recalled if it is clear that the effects are harmful. There have been suggestions that one of the causes of the dramatic drop in the population of [[bee|bees]] is the use in the USA of genetically-modified crops that are resistant to herbicides.<br />
<br />
Many people are worried that if people are ever designed genetically, the human race could change in ways we cannot foresee. Most countries still have laws to prevent scientists researching genetic engineering in humans.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
[[category:Genetics]]<br />
==External Links==<br />
*[http://ethics.wikia.com/wiki/Genetic_Engineering Genetic Engineering]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Yoga&diff=897193Yoga2011-08-04T04:38:14Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
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<div>[[Image:Yoga.jpg|right]]<br />
'''Yoga''' is a group of spiritual practices originating in [[India]]. Many [[Dharmic religion|Dharmic]] scriptures discuss different aspects of Yoga. In the context of the [[Bhagavad Gita]], the Yoga describes a unified outlook, serenity of mind and action and the ability to stay attuned to the glory of the Self (Atman). <br />
<br />
Mayor branches of Yoga are: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga. The most popular one in the West is Hatha Yoga and is practiced mainly for mental and physical health. <br />
<br />
Hatha Yoga is seen in [[Hinduism]] as a convenient way to the heights of Raja Yoga (school of Hindu philosophy); it is a preparatory stage of physical practice that renders the body fit for [[meditation]]. <br />
<br />
::: ''[[Health]] is wealth, peace of mind is happiness and Yoga shows the way.'' Swami Vishnu-devananda. <br />
<br />
''Yoga means "Union" from the same Sanskrit root. What are the elements which are united or to be united when this word is used in its common sense of a practice widely spread in Hindustan whose object is the emancipation of the individual who studies and practises it from the less pleasing features of his life on this planet?... I say Hindustan, but I really mean anywhere on the earth; for research has shown that similar methods producing similar results are to be found in every country. The details vary, but the general structure is the same. Because all bodies, and so all minds, have identical Forms... The more we study this universe produced by our Yoga, the more we collect and synthesize our experience, the nearer we get to a perception of what the [[Buddha]] declared to be characteristic of all component things: Sorrow, Change, and Absence of any permanent principle.''<ref> [http://www.meritfields.com/ EIGHT LECTURES ON YOGA BY MAHATMA GURU SRI PARAMAHANSA SHIVAJI]</ref><br />
<br />
... union between the Jivatman and Paramatman, that is between one's individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness.<br />
<br />
== Raja Yoga ==<br />
<br />
Raja Yoga or Classical Yoga, is concerned with the cultivation of the [[mind]] using [[meditation]]. <br />
:: Raja yoga meditation fills the yogi with super-sensuous joy or bliss which is the highest and the most ennobling experience. The bliss elevates the mind and raises the yogi above carnal pleasures, and moulds his bad habits.<br />
<br />
:: A Raja yogi establishes a relationship with [[God]] . He withdraws from all the superfluous and avoidable worldly activities. He spends minimum time and resources on his personal comforts and devotes maximum energy for noble cause i.e. spiritual awakening of his felloe-beings. <ref>[http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/meditation/othermaditechniques.html Raja Yoga Meditation]</ref><br />
<br />
A Raja Yogi starts his practice with the mind, although a minimum of postures of Hatha Yoga are usually included as a preparation for the meditation and concentration.<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
<br />
*[[Chakras]]<br />
*[[Upanishads]]<br />
*[[Exercise]]<br />
*[[Reiki]]<br />
*[[Bodybuilding]]<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.yogajournal.com/ Yoga Journal]<br />
*[http://www.sivananda.org/ Sivananda Yoga Om Page]<br />
*[http://myrajayoga.blogspot.com/2008/01/effect-of-raja-yoga-on-physical-health.html Effect of Raja Yoga on physical health]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism]]<br />
[[Category:Health]]<br />
[[Category:Paganism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Yoga&diff=897192Yoga2011-08-04T04:37:47Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
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<div>[[Image:Yoga.jpg|right]]<br />
'''Yoga''' is a group of spiritual practices originating in [[India]]. Many [[Dharmic religion|Dharmic scriptures]] texts discuss different aspects of Yoga. In the context of the [[Bhagavad Gita]], the Yoga describes a unified outlook, serenity of mind and action and the ability to stay attuned to the glory of the Self (Atman). <br />
<br />
Mayor branches of Yoga are: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga. The most popular one in the West is Hatha Yoga and is practiced mainly for mental and physical health. <br />
<br />
Hatha Yoga is seen in [[Hinduism]] as a convenient way to the heights of Raja Yoga (school of Hindu philosophy); it is a preparatory stage of physical practice that renders the body fit for [[meditation]]. <br />
<br />
::: ''[[Health]] is wealth, peace of mind is happiness and Yoga shows the way.'' Swami Vishnu-devananda. <br />
<br />
''Yoga means "Union" from the same Sanskrit root. What are the elements which are united or to be united when this word is used in its common sense of a practice widely spread in Hindustan whose object is the emancipation of the individual who studies and practises it from the less pleasing features of his life on this planet?... I say Hindustan, but I really mean anywhere on the earth; for research has shown that similar methods producing similar results are to be found in every country. The details vary, but the general structure is the same. Because all bodies, and so all minds, have identical Forms... The more we study this universe produced by our Yoga, the more we collect and synthesize our experience, the nearer we get to a perception of what the [[Buddha]] declared to be characteristic of all component things: Sorrow, Change, and Absence of any permanent principle.''<ref> [http://www.meritfields.com/ EIGHT LECTURES ON YOGA BY MAHATMA GURU SRI PARAMAHANSA SHIVAJI]</ref><br />
<br />
... union between the Jivatman and Paramatman, that is between one's individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness.<br />
<br />
== Raja Yoga ==<br />
<br />
Raja Yoga or Classical Yoga, is concerned with the cultivation of the [[mind]] using [[meditation]]. <br />
:: Raja yoga meditation fills the yogi with super-sensuous joy or bliss which is the highest and the most ennobling experience. The bliss elevates the mind and raises the yogi above carnal pleasures, and moulds his bad habits.<br />
<br />
:: A Raja yogi establishes a relationship with [[God]] . He withdraws from all the superfluous and avoidable worldly activities. He spends minimum time and resources on his personal comforts and devotes maximum energy for noble cause i.e. spiritual awakening of his felloe-beings. <ref>[http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/meditation/othermaditechniques.html Raja Yoga Meditation]</ref><br />
<br />
A Raja Yogi starts his practice with the mind, although a minimum of postures of Hatha Yoga are usually included as a preparation for the meditation and concentration.<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
<br />
*[[Chakras]]<br />
*[[Upanishads]]<br />
*[[Exercise]]<br />
*[[Reiki]]<br />
*[[Bodybuilding]]<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.yogajournal.com/ Yoga Journal]<br />
*[http://www.sivananda.org/ Sivananda Yoga Om Page]<br />
*[http://myrajayoga.blogspot.com/2008/01/effect-of-raja-yoga-on-physical-health.html Effect of Raja Yoga on physical health]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism]]<br />
[[Category:Health]]<br />
[[Category:Paganism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharma&diff=897191Dharma2011-08-04T04:35:46Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* See also */</p>
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<div>'''''Dharma''''' or ''''Dharm'''' is a [[Sanskrit]] word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: ''dhamma''), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",<ref>http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm</ref> with a great variety of meanings in the [[Dharmic religion]]s of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]].<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Hinduism==<br />
<br />
''Dharma'' means Faith, Belief, Religion, and personal Law - all at the same time. Its most generic sense is that of righteousness or duty. It also refers to an [[ethics|ethical]] way of living; it is the path one should follow to live rightly in accordance with [[Hindu]] philosophical principles. The old name for Vedic Hinduism is Sanatan Dharm, meaning eternal law.<br />
<br />
Rules for [[Brahmin]] Priests & Monks:<br />
<br />
*Yamas: Restraints or Dont's<br />
*# [[Ahimsa]] - non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness<br />
*# [[Satya]] - truthfulness, honesty (non lying, non bragging, non embelishing)<br />
*# [[Asteya/Achurya]] - non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt, non-misappropriativeness<br />
*# [[Brahmacharya]] - restraint of senses(not giving into Pleasure)<br />
*# [[Kshama]] - forgiveness for the past, mercifull for historic sins, patience in the present<br />
*# [[Dhriti]] - steadfastness, overcoming non perserverance, fear, indecision; seeing each task through completion<br />
*# [[Daya]] - compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.<br />
*# [[Arjava]] - honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.<br />
*# [[Mitahara]] - moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor to little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.<br />
*# [[Shaucha]] - purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech, cleanliness<br />
*# [[Aparigraha]] - non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-selfishness, non-acquisitiveness<br />
<br />
* Niyamas: Duties & Responsibilities or Do's<br />
*# [[Hri]] - remorse for misdeeds<br />
*# [[Santosha]] - contentment; being satisfied with the resources at hand - therefore not desiring more; peacefulness<br />
*# [[Dana]] - giving, without thought of reward<br />
*# [[Astikya]] - Faith, believing firmly in the Guru, believing firmly in the path to enlightenment, believing firmly in the religious scriptures<br />
*# [[Ishvarapujana]] - worship of the Lord, the cultivation of devotion through daily worship and meditation, the return to the source<br />
*# [[Siddhanta shravana]] - scriptural listening, studying the teachings and listening to the wise of one's lineage<br />
*# [[Mati]] - cognition, developing a spiritual will and intellect with the Guru's guidance<br />
*# [[Vrata]] - sacred vows, fulfilling religious vows, rules and observances faithfully<br />
*# [[Japa]] - recitation, chanting Religious scriptutes daily<br />
*# [[Tapas]] - austerity, spiritual discipline<br />
*# [[Swadhyaya]] - introspective self-study, spiritual study<br />
*# [[Ishwarapranidhana]] - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Buddhism==<br />
In Buddhism, followers adhere to these five principles of the dharma:<br />
<br />
*Faith in the triple gem, which is [[Buddha]], Dharma, and [[Sangha]]. Sangha is the community. <br />
*The Precepts: don’t [[kill]], don’t [[steal]], don’t engage in sexual misconduct ([[rape]] or [[adultery]]), don’t [[lie]], and don’t take [[alcohol|intoxicants]] which cloud the mind. <br />
*Listening: Only through listening can we understand [[good]] and [[evil]]. <br />
*Giving: Engaging in [[charity]] and selflessness reminds us that the Dharma is not intended for us alone, but it is to be shared with everyone. <br />
*Wisdom: One has to listen, contemplate and put into practice the Dharma. Then one may gain [[wisdom]], and realize the truth.<br />
<br />
===References===<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[Yoga]]<br />
*The [[Ten Commandments]] of [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]]<br />
<br />
[[category:Dharmic Religions]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Swastika&diff=897176Swastika2011-08-04T04:20:31Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
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<div>[[Image:Swastika-HindiBook.jpg|thumb|right|200px|An example of a swastika on a Hindi book.]]<br />
'''Swastika''' or '''Swastik''' (Sanskrit: ''svástika'' स्वस्तिक; "well-being"; German: ''hakenkreuz''; "hooked cross") is an ancient symbol usually associated with Eastern religions or as decorative art as early as the [[Bronze Age]]; its use in [[Germany]] as an emblem for the [[Nazi Party]] made it one of the most recognizable symbols of hatred in history.<br />
<br />
The historical swastik is an even cross based on the dimentions of a square, with the arms of the cross bent at right angles either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Usually most religious instances of the swastika are based on the dimentions of a square;<ref>[http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html]</ref> while Nazi use has it based on the dimentions of a diamond shape (square tilted @ 45 degrees). <ref>[http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/34/3413.html http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/34/3413.html]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm]</ref><br />
<br />
Found in ancient sites world-wide, it has been surmised that it was used to symbolize the rotation of the sun or creation, as the arms give the impression of continual rotation. [[Heinrich Schliemann]] found images of the swastika painted on pottery recovered from the ruins of [[Troy]] during his expeditions there in the 1870's. As a religious symbol, the swastika has powerful symbolic meanings in the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Jain]], and [[Hindu]] religions.<br />
<br />
[[Adolf Hitler]] adopted the swastika as the emblem for his Nazi Party; it was emblazoned in a white circle centered on a red field for his flag; the party flag became the national flag soon after Hitler took power after 1933. The mass killings of Jews and other minorities by the Nazis occurred under swastika banner through to the end of [[World War II]] in 1945, and since then the swastika has come to symbolize extreme hate. It is still used as such a symbol today by neo-Nazis in Europe and North America, as well as white-supremist and other hate groups.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
* [[Dharmic religion]]<br />
<br />
[[category:nazis]]<br />
[[category:Dharmic Religions]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Hinduism&diff=897172Hinduism2011-08-04T04:11:56Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* External links */</p>
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<div>[[Image:Hinduism.jpg|left|Hinduism]]<br />
'''Hinduism''' is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions.<ref>The largest being [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist, and Hinduism, in that order[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</ref> Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago.<ref>[http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduism101/a/origin.htm Origin of Hinduism] (About.com)</ref> Hinduism is the first [[Dharmic religion]]. It is often referred to as "the religion of India;" about 800 million of the world's billion Hindus live in India, so about 80 percent of Hindus are Indians.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Brief_analysis.pdf Census of India, religion data, brief analysis (PDF)]; "At the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 percent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 percent) as Muslims and 24 millions (2.3 percent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 percent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million (0.8 percent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 percent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ including tribal religions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion."</ref><br />
According to a recent American survey, Hindus are the best educated and among the richest religious groups in the [[United States]].<ref>Hanerjee, Neela, [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?ei=5124&en=1f44cce06fd2c02a&ex=1361682000&adxnnl=1&partner=digg&exprod=digg&adxnnlx=1204020358-3HkVoV4zxeYh9vTOw6Tydw Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds], New York Times, 25th February, 2008.</ref><br />
[[Image:Hinduism..jpg|240px|right|Shiva the Cosmic Dancer]]<br />
Hindus believe in [[reincarnation]] and eventual communion with [[Brahman]] (God) as well as respect for all life forms. Their holy writings are known as the [[Vedas]]. Hindus outline the four goals of various humans (purusharthas) as: dharma (righteousness), artha (material success), kama (love/pleasure), and moksha (release from reincarnation/reunification with Brahman); above all four of these, in certain Hindu schools, is the goal of pure Love of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Definition by law==<br />
<br />
In 1966, the Supreme Court of [[India]] defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: <br />
<br />
1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the “Bhagavat Gita,” a section in the Mahabharata concerning life’s never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri [[Krishna]] (incarnation of [[Vishnu]]) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield.<br />
<br />
2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent’s view. <br />
<br />
3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. <br />
<br />
4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. <br />
<br />
5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. <br />
<br />
6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. <br />
<br />
7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a [[polytheism|polytheistic]] religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one [[God]] but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example [[Agni]] (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, [[Indra]] (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and [[Lakshmi]] (fortune).<br />
<br />
8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.<br />
<br />
Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. <ref> [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261549/Hinduism Hinduism and Christianity] Encyclopædia Britannica. </ref><br />
<br />
Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm India: International Religious Freedom Report 2003] (U.S. Department of State)</ref><br />
<br />
For more on Hinduism, see [[World History Lecture Three]].<br />
<br />
==Believer?==<br />
In Hinduism, Indians are categorized into four distinct categories, acording to their beliefs.<br />
* Advaita Astika: Believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Advaita Nastika: Believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Astika: Non-believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Nastika: Non-believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
<br />
==Criticisms==<br />
===Sati===<br />
''Sati'' was a practice during the medieval period whereby still-in-love Hindu widows jumped into the funeral pyre for the their husbands(together till death). In modern times, family members of the husband forced widows to burn to death. Thus this practice was abolished in the 19th century by the efforts of Ram Mohan Roy and Lord William Bentinck.<br />
<br />
===Caste system===<br />
Hinduism also has a "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:<br />
*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste in Hinduism)<br />
*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)<br />
*''Vaishya'' (merchants)<br />
*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)<br />
<br />
In ancient times, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career. As time passed on, both Caste and Profession became defined by birth. <ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref><br />
<br />
''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste and without any rights, called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes. Even today there are many reports of discrimination against ''dalits''.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref><br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
* [[Dharma]]<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Hinduism-Hindu.htm Hindu Religion]<br />
* [http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]<br />
* [http://ethics.wikia.com/wiki/Param_Atma Parmatma]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* Johnson, W. J. ''A Dictionary of Hinduism'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Hinduism-W-J-Johnson/dp/0198610254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Knott, Kim. ''Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/62971675?title=Hinduism%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]<br />
* Shattuck, Cybelle. ''Hinduism'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/read/103395975?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
* Sullivan, Bruce M. ''Historical Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997)<br />
* Werner, Karel. ''A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Dictionary-Hinduism-Dictionaries-Religion/dp/0700710493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Zaehner, R. C. ''Hinduism'' (1966) [http://www.questia.com/read/23180604?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism| ]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]<br />
[[Category:India]]<br />
[[category:Indian History]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Hinduism&diff=897171Hinduism2011-08-04T04:11:33Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* External links */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Hinduism.jpg|left|Hinduism]]<br />
'''Hinduism''' is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions.<ref>The largest being [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist, and Hinduism, in that order[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</ref> Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago.<ref>[http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduism101/a/origin.htm Origin of Hinduism] (About.com)</ref> Hinduism is the first [[Dharmic religion]]. It is often referred to as "the religion of India;" about 800 million of the world's billion Hindus live in India, so about 80 percent of Hindus are Indians.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Brief_analysis.pdf Census of India, religion data, brief analysis (PDF)]; "At the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 percent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 percent) as Muslims and 24 millions (2.3 percent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 percent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million (0.8 percent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 percent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ including tribal religions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion."</ref><br />
According to a recent American survey, Hindus are the best educated and among the richest religious groups in the [[United States]].<ref>Hanerjee, Neela, [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?ei=5124&en=1f44cce06fd2c02a&ex=1361682000&adxnnl=1&partner=digg&exprod=digg&adxnnlx=1204020358-3HkVoV4zxeYh9vTOw6Tydw Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds], New York Times, 25th February, 2008.</ref><br />
[[Image:Hinduism..jpg|240px|right|Shiva the Cosmic Dancer]]<br />
Hindus believe in [[reincarnation]] and eventual communion with [[Brahman]] (God) as well as respect for all life forms. Their holy writings are known as the [[Vedas]]. Hindus outline the four goals of various humans (purusharthas) as: dharma (righteousness), artha (material success), kama (love/pleasure), and moksha (release from reincarnation/reunification with Brahman); above all four of these, in certain Hindu schools, is the goal of pure Love of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Definition by law==<br />
<br />
In 1966, the Supreme Court of [[India]] defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: <br />
<br />
1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the “Bhagavat Gita,” a section in the Mahabharata concerning life’s never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri [[Krishna]] (incarnation of [[Vishnu]]) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield.<br />
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2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent’s view. <br />
<br />
3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. <br />
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4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. <br />
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5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. <br />
<br />
6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. <br />
<br />
7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a [[polytheism|polytheistic]] religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one [[God]] but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example [[Agni]] (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, [[Indra]] (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and [[Lakshmi]] (fortune).<br />
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8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.<br />
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Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. <ref> [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261549/Hinduism Hinduism and Christianity] Encyclopædia Britannica. </ref><br />
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Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm India: International Religious Freedom Report 2003] (U.S. Department of State)</ref><br />
<br />
For more on Hinduism, see [[World History Lecture Three]].<br />
<br />
==Believer?==<br />
In Hinduism, Indians are categorized into four distinct categories, acording to their beliefs.<br />
* Advaita Astika: Believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Advaita Nastika: Believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Astika: Non-believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Nastika: Non-believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
<br />
==Criticisms==<br />
===Sati===<br />
''Sati'' was a practice during the medieval period whereby still-in-love Hindu widows jumped into the funeral pyre for the their husbands(together till death). In modern times, family members of the husband forced widows to burn to death. Thus this practice was abolished in the 19th century by the efforts of Ram Mohan Roy and Lord William Bentinck.<br />
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===Caste system===<br />
Hinduism also has a "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:<br />
*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste in Hinduism)<br />
*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)<br />
*''Vaishya'' (merchants)<br />
*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)<br />
<br />
In ancient times, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career. As time passed on, both Caste and Profession became defined by birth. <ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref><br />
<br />
''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste and without any rights, called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes. Even today there are many reports of discrimination against ''dalits''.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref><br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
* [[Dharma]]<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Hinduism-Hindu.htm Hindu Religion]<br />
* [http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]<br />
* [[[http://ethics.wikia.com/wiki/Param_Atma Parmatma]]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* Johnson, W. J. ''A Dictionary of Hinduism'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Hinduism-W-J-Johnson/dp/0198610254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Knott, Kim. ''Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/62971675?title=Hinduism%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]<br />
* Shattuck, Cybelle. ''Hinduism'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/read/103395975?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
* Sullivan, Bruce M. ''Historical Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997)<br />
* Werner, Karel. ''A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Dictionary-Hinduism-Dictionaries-Religion/dp/0700710493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Zaehner, R. C. ''Hinduism'' (1966) [http://www.questia.com/read/23180604?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism| ]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]<br />
[[Category:India]]<br />
[[category:Indian History]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmic_religion&diff=897163Dharmic religion2011-08-04T04:04:09Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
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<div>'''Dharmic [[Religion|religions]]''' are a group of religions that follow along the lines of [[Dharma]]. Dharmic Religions also have some common symbols, such as OM/Aum (ॐ), [[Swastika|Swastik]] (卐/卍), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_%28attribute%29 Lotus plant], etc..<br />
<br />
There are currently four Dharmic religions:<br />
<br />
*[[Hinduism|Sanatan]] Dharma<br />
*[[Buddhism|Buddha]] Dharma<br />
*[[Jainism|Jain]] Dharma<br />
*[[Sikhism|Sikh]] Dharma<br />
<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions| ]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Swastika&diff=897160Swastika2011-08-04T04:01:45Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
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<div>[[Image:Swastika-HindiBook.jpg|thumb|right|200px|An example of a swastika on a Hindi book.]]<br />
'''Swastika''' (Sanskrit: ''svástika'' स्वस्तिक; "well-being"; German: ''hakenkreuz''; "hooked cross") is an ancient symbol usually associated with Eastern religions or as decorative art as early as the [[Bronze Age]]; its use in [[Germany]] as an emblem for the [[Nazi Party]] made it one of the most recognizable symbols of hatred in history.<br />
<br />
The swastika is an even cross based on the dimentions of a square, with the arms of the cross bent at right angles either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Usually most religious instances of the swastika are based on the dimentions of a square;<ref>[http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html]</ref> while Nazi use has it based on the dimentions of a diamond shape (square tilted @ 45 degrees). <ref>[http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/34/3413.html http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/34/3413.html]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm]</ref><br />
<br />
Found in ancient sites world-wide, it has been surmised that it was used to symbolize the rotation of the sun or creation, as the arms give the impression of continual rotation. [[Heinrich Schliemann]] found images of the swastika painted on pottery recovered from the ruins of [[Troy]] during his expeditions there in the 1870's. As a religious symbol, the swastika has powerful symbolic meanings in the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Jain]], and [[Hindu]] religions.<br />
<br />
[[Adolf Hitler]] adopted the swastika as the emblem for his Nazi Party; it was emblazoned in a white circle centered on a red field for his flag; the party flag became the national flag soon after Hitler took power after 1933. The mass killings of Jews and other minorities by the Nazis occurred under swastika banner through to the end of [[World War II]] in 1945, and since then the swastika has come to symbolize extreme hate. It is still used as such a symbol today by neo-Nazis in Europe and North America, as well as white-supremist and other hate groups.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
* [[Dharmic religion]]<br />
<br />
[[category:nazis]]<br />
[[category:Dharmic Religions]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Swastika&diff=897158Swastika2011-08-04T03:58:45Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Swastika-HindiBook.jpg|thumb|right|200px|An example of a swastika on a Hindi book.]]<br />
'''Swastika''' (Sanskrit: ''svástika'' स्वस्तिक; "well-being"; German: ''hakenkreuz''; "hooked cross") is an ancient symbol usually associated with Eastern religions or as decorative art as early as the [[Bronze Age]]; its use in [[Germany]] as an emblem for the [[Nazi Party]] made it one of the most recognizable symbols of hatred in history.<br />
<br />
The swastika is an even cross based on the dimentions of a square, with the arms of the cross bent at right angles either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Usually most religious instances of the swastika are based on the dimentions of a square;<ref>[http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/15/151.html]</ref> while Nazi use has it based on the dimentions of a diamond shape (square tilted @ 45 degrees). <ref>[http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/34/3413.html http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/34/3413.html]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm]</ref><br />
Found in ancient sites world-wide, it has been surmised that it was used to symbolize the rotation of the sun or creation, as the arms give the impression of continual rotation. [[Heinrich Schliemann]] found images of the swastika painted on pottery recovered from the ruins of [[Troy]] during his expeditions there in the 1870's. As a religious symbol, the swastika has powerful symbolic meanings in the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Jain]], and [[Hindu]] religions.<br />
<br />
[[Adolf Hitler]] adopted the swastika as the emblem for his Nazi Party; it was emblazoned in a white circle centered on a red field for his flag; the party flag became the national flag soon after Hitler took power after 1933. The mass killings of Jews and other minorities by the Nazis occurred under swastika banner through to the end of [[World War II]] in 1945, and since then the swastika has come to symbolize extreme hate. It is still used as such a symbol today by neo-Nazis in Europe and North America, as well as white-supremist and other hate groups.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
<br />
[[category:nazis]]<br />
[[category:hinduism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Hinduism&diff=897151Talk:Hinduism2011-08-04T03:47:59Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Controversies? */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Wikiproject Religion}}<br />
== Middlegray's edits ==<br />
I removed Middlegray's edit with the edit comment, "''Thanks for the source. That allowed me to determine that the source, and therefore the para., was scurrilous misinformation, so I've removed it.''"<br />
<br />
Middlegray reinstated his edit, with the edit comment, "''Dear Philip J. Rayment, I am from India, I am Hindu and you are niether, so your judgment of authenticity of my sources is as good as my judgement about KKK''".<br />
<br />
True, I'm not from India, and I'm not Hindu, but I am from Australia and I am a Christian, so that makes me competent to judge what that anti-Christian Hindu site was saying, particularly when it said, "The terrorists [Christians] receive military aid from extremist Christian groups in Australia and New Zealand". This is either utter nonsense, or at best an extremely atypical situation.<br />
<br />
Karajou reverted the reinstatement. Nevertheless, the reinstatement did provide a different source, and the second part of the edit at least is supported there, so I am reinstating that bit.<br />
<br />
[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 06:50, 20 November 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
== Contradiction ==<br />
<br />
Would just like to note that it is said in this article that Hinduism in not a polytheistic religion. But if you click on the "polytheism" link, it says otherwise.<br />
<br />
== Controversies? ==<br />
<br />
Why would the Hinduism page be the only page of a major religion to receive a controversies section despite the fact almost every religious institution in history has had many controversies? Also the two examples included the caste system which was not originally part of hinduism but was actually a way for the indo-european invaders to obtain control over the indigenous population, and sati which is not a traditional hindu belief. This is only a question as to why the other religion based pages don't have these sections.<br />
<br />
:If you have information that should be added to this and other articles, then add it. Making substantive contributions is more helpful than complaining on the talk page. Excessive talk is disfavored here. [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 03:05, 17 July 2010 (EDT)<br />
<br />
:: There's a lot of material about that on the Internet.[http://www.christianaggression.org/][http://www.nobeliefs.com/] But, I do wonder if any of those will be allowed in here. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 23:47, 3 August 2011 (EDT)<br />
<br />
I am sorry If you feel I am just complaining that is not the case i am just concerned that an article that is quite small must receive a controversies section while much larger articles (i.e. Christianity, Judaism) don't receive such sections. I personally feel that there should not be a controversies section because it is about the religion itself not an institution or the people who practice it.<br />
<br />
== How old is Hinduism? ==<br />
This is a really good article. My only problem with it is the implausible assertion that Hinduism is about 5,000 years old which predates the Flood by about 700 years, [[User:ThomasTrimble|ThomasTrimble]] 14:29, 18 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:Actually Hinduism(Sanatan Dharma) is older than anyone knows (might be over 10,000 years old). Recorded time-marks in Hinduism are ''Ramayan'' ('''Treta era''': around 5114 BC), and ''Mahabharat'' ('''Dwapar era''': till 3102 BC). '''Kali era''', the current Age started on 18 Feb, 3102 BC; within 2 decades of the current mayan calander(12 August, 3114 BC). More liberal theories [http://www.google.co.in/search?q=1750000+years+Lanka+Bridge date Ramayan & Treta era to 1,750,000 years ago]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 10:46, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
::Just because the religion claims it is that old doesn't mean it actually is. There is quite a lot of evidence (see [[Counterexamples to an old earth]] supporting the fact that the Earth is 6000 years old. Hinduism claims to be millions of years old, which even according to liberals is ridiculus. [[User:NickP|NickP]] 17:02, 23 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
::: While western time concept is linear, Vedic Time concept is circular and depends only on the movements of various heavenly bodies in the cosmos[http://veda.wikidot.com/vedic-time-system]. For example, the cycle of moon around the Earth, the cycle of Earth around the Sun, cycle of Sun around the Galaxy, etc. And each cycle involves a progression from a golden age of peace and spiritual progress to a final age of violence and spiritual degradation. Acording to the liberal view, there are 4,320,000 years in a cycle of the 4 Ages/'''Yug'''s called '''Mahayug''', about 1000 of Mahayugs (4.32 Billion years) until the destruction of creation, followed by the same amount of years in darkness(Earth, Heaven & Hell disintegrates), and this will repeat 36,000 times (311.04 trillion years), one lifetime of the creator[http://veda.wikidot.com/hindu-cosmology]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 02:54, 24 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Hinduism&diff=893208Talk:Hinduism2011-07-25T13:36:17Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* How old is Hinduism? */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Wikiproject Religion}}<br />
== Middlegray's edits ==<br />
I removed Middlegray's edit with the edit comment, "''Thanks for the source. That allowed me to determine that the source, and therefore the para., was scurrilous misinformation, so I've removed it.''"<br />
<br />
Middlegray reinstated his edit, with the edit comment, "''Dear Philip J. Rayment, I am from India, I am Hindu and you are niether, so your judgment of authenticity of my sources is as good as my judgement about KKK''".<br />
<br />
True, I'm not from India, and I'm not Hindu, but I am from Australia and I am a Christian, so that makes me competent to judge what that anti-Christian Hindu site was saying, particularly when it said, "The terrorists [Christians] receive military aid from extremist Christian groups in Australia and New Zealand". This is either utter nonsense, or at best an extremely atypical situation.<br />
<br />
Karajou reverted the reinstatement. Nevertheless, the reinstatement did provide a different source, and the second part of the edit at least is supported there, so I am reinstating that bit.<br />
<br />
[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 06:50, 20 November 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
== Contradiction ==<br />
<br />
Would just like to note that it is said in this article that Hinduism in not a polytheistic religion. But if you click on the "polytheism" link, it says otherwise.<br />
<br />
== Controversies? ==<br />
<br />
Why would the Hinduism page be the only page of a major religion to receive a controversies section despite the fact almost every religious institution in history has had many controversies? Also the two examples included the caste system which was not originally part of hinduism but was actually a way for the indo-european invaders to obtain control over the indigenous population, and sati which is not a traditional hindu belief. This is only a question as to why the other religion based pages don't have these sections.<br />
<br />
:If you have information that should be added to this and other articles, then add it. Making substantive contributions is more helpful than complaining on the talk page. Excessive talk is disfavored here. [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 03:05, 17 July 2010 (EDT)<br />
<br />
I am sorry If you feel I am just complaining that is not the case i am just concerned that an article that is quite small must receive a controversies section while much larger articles (i.e. Christianity, Judaism) don't receive such sections. I personally feel that there should not be a controversies section because it is about the religion itself not an institution or the people who practice it.<br />
<br />
== How old is Hinduism? ==<br />
This is a really good article. My only problem with it is the implausible assertion that Hinduism is about 5,000 years old which predates the Flood by about 700 years, [[User:ThomasTrimble|ThomasTrimble]] 14:29, 18 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:Actually Hinduism(Sanatan Dharma) is older than anyone knows (might be over 10,000 years old). Recorded time-marks in Hinduism are ''Ramayan'' ('''Treta era''': around 5114 BC), and ''Mahabharat'' ('''Dwapar era''': till 3102 BC). '''Kali era''', the current Age started on 18 Feb, 3102 BC; within 2 decades of the current mayan calander(12 August, 3114 BC). More liberal theories [http://www.google.co.in/search?q=1750000+years+Lanka+Bridge date Ramayan & Treta era to 1,750,000 years ago]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 10:46, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
::Just because the religion claims it is that old doesn't mean it actually is. There is quite a lot of evidence (see [[Counterexamples to an old earth]] supporting the fact that the Earth is 6000 years old. Hinduism claims to be millions of years old, which even according to liberals is ridiculus. [[User:NickP|NickP]] 17:02, 23 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
::: While western time concept is linear, Vedic Time concept is circular and depends only on the movements of various heavenly bodies in the cosmos[http://veda.wikidot.com/vedic-time-system]. For example, the cycle of moon around the Earth, the cycle of Earth around the Sun, cycle of Sun around the Galaxy, etc. And each cycle involves a progression from a golden age of peace and spiritual progress to a final age of violence and spiritual degradation. Acording to the liberal view, there are 4,320,000 years in a cycle of the 4 Ages/'''Yug'''s called '''Mahayug''', about 1000 of Mahayugs (4.32 Billion years) until the destruction of creation, followed by the same amount of years in darkness(Earth, Heaven & Hell disintegrates), and this will repeat 36,000 times (311.04 trillion years), one lifetime of the creator[http://veda.wikidot.com/hindu-cosmology]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 02:54, 24 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Hinduism&diff=892798Talk:Hinduism2011-07-24T06:54:11Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* How old is Hinduism? */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Wikiproject Religion}}<br />
== Middlegray's edits ==<br />
I removed Middlegray's edit with the edit comment, "''Thanks for the source. That allowed me to determine that the source, and therefore the para., was scurrilous misinformation, so I've removed it.''"<br />
<br />
Middlegray reinstated his edit, with the edit comment, "''Dear Philip J. Rayment, I am from India, I am Hindu and you are niether, so your judgment of authenticity of my sources is as good as my judgement about KKK''".<br />
<br />
True, I'm not from India, and I'm not Hindu, but I am from Australia and I am a Christian, so that makes me competent to judge what that anti-Christian Hindu site was saying, particularly when it said, "The terrorists [Christians] receive military aid from extremist Christian groups in Australia and New Zealand". This is either utter nonsense, or at best an extremely atypical situation.<br />
<br />
Karajou reverted the reinstatement. Nevertheless, the reinstatement did provide a different source, and the second part of the edit at least is supported there, so I am reinstating that bit.<br />
<br />
[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 06:50, 20 November 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
== Contradiction ==<br />
<br />
Would just like to note that it is said in this article that Hinduism in not a polytheistic religion. But if you click on the "polytheism" link, it says otherwise.<br />
<br />
== Controversies? ==<br />
<br />
Why would the Hinduism page be the only page of a major religion to receive a controversies section despite the fact almost every religious institution in history has had many controversies? Also the two examples included the caste system which was not originally part of hinduism but was actually a way for the indo-european invaders to obtain control over the indigenous population, and sati which is not a traditional hindu belief. This is only a question as to why the other religion based pages don't have these sections.<br />
<br />
:If you have information that should be added to this and other articles, then add it. Making substantive contributions is more helpful than complaining on the talk page. Excessive talk is disfavored here. [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 03:05, 17 July 2010 (EDT)<br />
<br />
I am sorry If you feel I am just complaining that is not the case i am just concerned that an article that is quite small must receive a controversies section while much larger articles (i.e. Christianity, Judaism) don't receive such sections. I personally feel that there should not be a controversies section because it is about the religion itself not an institution or the people who practice it.<br />
<br />
== How old is Hinduism? ==<br />
This is a really good article. My only problem with it is the implausible assertion that Hinduism is about 5,000 years old which predates the Flood by about 700 years, [[User:ThomasTrimble|ThomasTrimble]] 14:29, 18 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:Actually Hinduism(Sanatan Dharma) is older than anyone knows (might be over 10,000 years old). Recorded time-marks in Hinduism are ''Ramayan'' ('''Treta era''': around 5114 BC), and ''Mahabharat'' ('''Dwapar era''': till 3102 BC). '''Kali era''', the current Age started on 18 Feb, 3102 BC; within 2 decades of the current mayan calander(12 August, 3114 BC). More liberal theories [http://www.google.co.in/search?q=1750000+years+Lanka+Bridge date Ramayan & Treta era to 1,750,000 years ago]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 10:46, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
::Just because the religion claims it is that old doesn't mean it actually is. There is quite a lot of evidence (see [[Counterexamples to an old earth]] supporting the fact that the Earth is 6000 years old. Hinduism claims to be millions of years old, which even according to liberals is ridiculus. [[User:NickP|NickP]] 17:02, 23 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
::: While western time concept islinear, while Vedic Time concept is circular and depends only on the movements of various heavenly bodies in the cosmos[http://veda.wikidot.com/vedic-time-system]. For example, the cycle of moon around the Earth, the cycle of Earth around the Sun, cycle of Sun around the Galaxy, etc. And each cycle involves a progression from a golden age of peace and spiritual progress to a final age of violence and spiritual degradation. Acording to the liberal view, there are 4,320,000 years in a cycle of the 4 Ages/'''Yug'''s called '''Mahayug''', about 1000 of Mahayugs (4.32 Billion years) until the destruction of creation, followed by the same amount of years in darkness(Earth, Heaven & Hell disintegrates), and this will repeat 36,000 times (311.04 trillion years), one lifetime of the creator[http://veda.wikidot.com/hindu-cosmology]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 02:54, 24 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Lust&diff=892199Lust2011-07-22T17:47:47Z<p>Ne0Freedom: Undo revision 892188 by Karajou (talk)</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Lust, Jacob Matham.png|right|thumb|120px|A personification of lust.]]<br />
'''Lust''' is "craving sexually what God has forbidden".<ref>[[Joshua Harris]], Christian author of ''[[I Kissed Dating Goodbye]]''</ref><br />
Lust can also be defined as intemperate or irregular sexual desire, and is one of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]]. Often confused with [[love]], it is purely physical attraction for an individual, that is sometimes uncontrollable and completely unreasonable. <br />
<br />
Lust, in its most common expression, is the urge to initiate in sexual intercourse with another person. It may also manifest itself as the urge to view [[pornography]], think sexual thoughts, or have unnatural sexual arousals, such as a [[homosexual]] thought. God's laws against lust are strictly meant to be obeyed throughout the [[Bible]], for obedience justifies a believer by their [[faith]], thus creating eternal salvation by their acceptance of the Sacrifice of [[Christ]] to save sinners from their sins.<br />
<br />
According to [[evolution]]ist views, [[sexual desire]] evolved by [[natural selection]] as an instinct to increase the number of offspring - as those individuals more prone to lust would have more children than those less lustful, over time the prevalence of lustful traits would increase.<br />
<br />
According to [[Christian]] views, lust is a consequence of the separation of a person from [[God]] as a result of [[sin]], causing them to fall short of His standard. Some churches attribute lust to direct [[satan]]ic involvement, or advocate various means by which unwanted lust may be controlled.<br />
<br />
The word 'lust' can also be used more generally to describe any intemperate or excessive desire, for example, lust for power. Lust for power, fame, or personal glory, is highly synonymous with the personality trait of narcissism.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
* [http://ethics.wikia.com/wiki/Lust Ethics Wikia: Lust]<br />
<br />
{{DivineComedy}}<br />
[[category:sin]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Ne0Freedom&diff=892196User talk:Ne0Freedom2011-07-22T17:43:04Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Wikis as a source */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{welcome}}<br />
<br />
You finally get one of these.--[[User:JamesWilson|JamesWilson]] 10:48, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
<br />
==Wikis as a source==<br />
Sorry to revert your edit, but wikis of any kind are not valid source material; they can be changed on a whim by anyone at any time. Please find another reference. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] 13:32, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:well, I am the Author of this one, and I confirm it's validity.--[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 13:43, 22 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Ne0Freedom&diff=892194User talk:Ne0Freedom2011-07-22T17:42:44Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Wikis as a source */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{welcome}}<br />
<br />
You finally get one of these.--[[User:JamesWilson|JamesWilson]] 10:48, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
<br />
==Wikis as a source==<br />
Sorry to revert your edit, but wikis of any kind are not valid source material; they can be changed on a whim by anyone at any time. Please find another reference. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] 13:32, 22 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:well, I am the Author of this one, and I confirm it's validity.</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Lust&diff=892187Lust2011-07-22T17:27:52Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* External Links */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Lust, Jacob Matham.png|right|thumb|120px|A personification of lust.]]<br />
'''Lust''' is "craving sexually what God has forbidden".<ref>[[Joshua Harris]], Christian author of ''[[I Kissed Dating Goodbye]]''</ref><br />
Lust can also be defined as intemperate or irregular sexual desire, and is one of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]]. Often confused with [[love]], it is purely physical attraction for an individual, that is sometimes uncontrollable and completely unreasonable. <br />
<br />
Lust, in its most common expression, is the urge to initiate in sexual intercourse with another person. It may also manifest itself as the urge to view [[pornography]], think sexual thoughts, or have unnatural sexual arousals, such as a [[homosexual]] thought. God's laws against lust are strictly meant to be obeyed throughout the [[Bible]], for obedience justifies a believer by their [[faith]], thus creating eternal salvation by their acceptance of the Sacrifice of [[Christ]] to save sinners from their sins.<br />
<br />
According to [[evolution]]ist views, [[sexual desire]] evolved by [[natural selection]] as an instinct to increase the number of offspring - as those individuals more prone to lust would have more children than those less lustful, over time the prevalence of lustful traits would increase.<br />
<br />
According to [[Christian]] views, lust is a consequence of the separation of a person from [[God]] as a result of [[sin]], causing them to fall short of His standard. Some churches attribute lust to direct [[satan]]ic involvement, or advocate various means by which unwanted lust may be controlled.<br />
<br />
The word 'lust' can also be used more generally to describe any intemperate or excessive desire, for example, lust for power. Lust for power, fame, or personal glory, is highly synonymous with the personality trait of narcissism.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
* [http://ethics.wikia.com/wiki/Lust Ethics Wikia: Lust]<br />
<br />
{{DivineComedy}}<br />
[[category:sin]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Lust&diff=892186Lust2011-07-22T17:27:11Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* References */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Lust, Jacob Matham.png|right|thumb|120px|A personification of lust.]]<br />
'''Lust''' is "craving sexually what God has forbidden".<ref>[[Joshua Harris]], Christian author of ''[[I Kissed Dating Goodbye]]''</ref><br />
Lust can also be defined as intemperate or irregular sexual desire, and is one of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]]. Often confused with [[love]], it is purely physical attraction for an individual, that is sometimes uncontrollable and completely unreasonable. <br />
<br />
Lust, in its most common expression, is the urge to initiate in sexual intercourse with another person. It may also manifest itself as the urge to view [[pornography]], think sexual thoughts, or have unnatural sexual arousals, such as a [[homosexual]] thought. God's laws against lust are strictly meant to be obeyed throughout the [[Bible]], for obedience justifies a believer by their [[faith]], thus creating eternal salvation by their acceptance of the Sacrifice of [[Christ]] to save sinners from their sins.<br />
<br />
According to [[evolution]]ist views, [[sexual desire]] evolved by [[natural selection]] as an instinct to increase the number of offspring - as those individuals more prone to lust would have more children than those less lustful, over time the prevalence of lustful traits would increase.<br />
<br />
According to [[Christian]] views, lust is a consequence of the separation of a person from [[God]] as a result of [[sin]], causing them to fall short of His standard. Some churches attribute lust to direct [[satan]]ic involvement, or advocate various means by which unwanted lust may be controlled.<br />
<br />
The word 'lust' can also be used more generally to describe any intemperate or excessive desire, for example, lust for power. Lust for power, fame, or personal glory, is highly synonymous with the personality trait of narcissism.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
* [http://ethics.wikia.com/wiki/Lust Lust]<br />
<br />
{{DivineComedy}}<br />
[[category:sin]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmic_religion&diff=892174Dharmic religion2011-07-22T17:10:33Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Dharmic [[Religion|religions]]''' are a group of religions that follow along the lines of [[Dharma]]. Dharmic Religions also have some common symbols, such as OM/Aum (ॐ), Swastik (卐/卍), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_%28attribute%29 Lotus plant], etc..<br />
<br />
There are currently four Dharmic religions:<br />
<br />
*[[Hinduism|Sanatan]] Dharma<br />
*[[Buddhism|Buddha]] Dharma<br />
*[[Jainism|Jain]] Dharma<br />
*[[Sikhism|Sikh]] Dharma<br />
<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions| ]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmic_religion&diff=892169Dharmic religion2011-07-22T17:05:06Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Dharmic [[Religion|religions]]''' are a group of religions that follow along the lines of [[Dharma]]. Dharmic Religions also have some common symbols, such as OM/Aum (ॐ) Swastik (卐/卍), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_%28attribute%29 Lotus plant], etc..<br />
<br />
There are currently four Dharmic religions:<br />
<br />
*[[Hinduism|Sanatan]] Dharma<br />
*[[Buddhism|Buddha]] Dharma<br />
*[[Jainism|Jain]] Dharma<br />
*[[Sikhism|Sikh]] Dharma<br />
<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions| ]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmic_religion&diff=892166Dharmic religion2011-07-22T16:55:12Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Dharmic [[Religion|religions]]''' are a group of religions that follow along the lines of [[Dharma]]. Dharmic Religions also have some common symbols, such as Swastik, Lotus, etc..<br />
<br />
There are currently four Dharmic religions:<br />
<br />
*[[Hinduism|Sanatan]] Dharma<br />
*[[Buddhism|Buddha]] Dharma<br />
*[[Jainism|Jain]] Dharma<br />
*[[Sikhism|Sikh]] Dharma<br />
<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions| ]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmic_religion&diff=892164Dharmic religion2011-07-22T16:52:48Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Dharmic [[Religion|religions]]''' are a group of religions that follow along the lines of [[Dharma]]. Dharmic Religions also have some common symbols, such as the Swastik.<br />
<br />
There are currently four Dharmic religions:<br />
<br />
*[[Hinduism|Sanatan]] Dharma<br />
*[[Buddhism|Buddha]] Dharma<br />
*[[Jainism|Jain]] Dharma<br />
*[[Sikhism|Sikh]] Dharma<br />
<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions| ]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharma&diff=892157Dharma2011-07-22T16:28:18Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''''Dharma''''' or ''''Dharm'''' is a [[Sanskrit]] word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: ''dhamma''), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",<ref>http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm</ref> with a great variety of meanings in the [[Dharmic religion]]s of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]].<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Hinduism==<br />
<br />
''Dharma'' means Faith, Belief, Religion, and personal Law - all at the same time. Its most generic sense is that of righteousness or duty. It also refers to an [[ethics|ethical]] way of living; it is the path one should follow to live rightly in accordance with [[Hindu]] philosophical principles. The old name for Vedic Hinduism is Sanatan Dharm, meaning eternal law.<br />
<br />
Rules for [[Brahmin]] Priests & Monks:<br />
<br />
*Yamas: Restraints or Dont's<br />
*# [[Ahimsa]] - non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness<br />
*# [[Satya]] - truthfulness, honesty (non lying, non bragging, non embelishing)<br />
*# [[Asteya/Achurya]] - non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt, non-misappropriativeness<br />
*# [[Brahmacharya]] - restraint of senses(not giving into Pleasure)<br />
*# [[Kshama]] - forgiveness for the past, mercifull for historic sins, patience in the present<br />
*# [[Dhriti]] - steadfastness, overcoming non perserverance, fear, indecision; seeing each task through completion<br />
*# [[Daya]] - compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.<br />
*# [[Arjava]] - honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.<br />
*# [[Mitahara]] - moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor to little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.<br />
*# [[Shaucha]] - purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech, cleanliness<br />
*# [[Aparigraha]] - non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-selfishness, non-acquisitiveness<br />
<br />
* Niyamas: Duties & Responsibilities or Do's<br />
*# [[Hri]] - remorse for misdeeds<br />
*# [[Santosha]] - contentment; being satisfied with the resources at hand - therefore not desiring more; peacefulness<br />
*# [[Dana]] - giving, without thought of reward<br />
*# [[Astikya]] - Faith, believing firmly in the Guru, believing firmly in the path to enlightenment, believing firmly in the religious scriptures<br />
*# [[Ishvarapujana]] - worship of the Lord, the cultivation of devotion through daily worship and meditation, the return to the source<br />
*# [[Siddhanta shravana]] - scriptural listening, studying the teachings and listening to the wise of one's lineage<br />
*# [[Mati]] - cognition, developing a spiritual will and intellect with the Guru's guidance<br />
*# [[Vrata]] - sacred vows, fulfilling religious vows, rules and observances faithfully<br />
*# [[Japa]] - recitation, chanting Religious scriptutes daily<br />
*# [[Tapas]] - austerity, spiritual discipline<br />
*# [[Swadhyaya]] - introspective self-study, spiritual study<br />
*# [[Ishwarapranidhana]] - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Buddhism==<br />
In Buddhism, followers adhere to these five principles of the dharma:<br />
<br />
*Faith in the triple gem, which is [[Buddha]], Dharma, and [[Sangha]]. Sangha is the community. <br />
*The Precepts: don’t [[kill]], don’t [[steal]], don’t engage in sexual misconduct ([[rape]] or [[adultery]]), don’t [[lie]], and don’t take [[alcohol|intoxicants]] which cloud the mind. <br />
*Listening: Only through listening can we understand [[good]] and [[evil]]. <br />
*Giving: Engaging in [[charity]] and selflessness reminds us that the Dharma is not intended for us alone, but it is to be shared with everyone. <br />
*Wisdom: One has to listen, contemplate and put into practice the Dharma. Then one may gain [[wisdom]], and realize the truth.<br />
<br />
===References===<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*The [[Ten Commandments]] of [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]]<br />
<br />
[[category:Dharmic Religions]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharma&diff=892154Dharma2011-07-22T16:21:34Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Dharma in Hinduism */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''''Dharma''''' or ''''Dharm'''' is a [[Sanskrit]] word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: ''dhamma''), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",<ref>http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm</ref> with a great variety of meanings in the [[Dharmic religion]]s of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]].<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Hinduism==<br />
<br />
''Dharma'' means Faith, Belief, Religion, and personal Law - all at the same time. Its most generic sense is that of righteousness or duty. It also refers to an [[ethics|ethical]] way of living; it is the path one should follow to live rightly in accordance with [[Hindu]] philosophical principles. The old name for Vedic Hinduism is Sanatan Dharm, meaning eternal law.<br />
<br />
Rules for [[Brahmin]] Priests & Monks:<br />
<br />
*Yamas: Restraints or Dont's<br />
*# [[Ahimsa]] - non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness<br />
*# [[Satya]] - truthfulness, honesty (non lying, non bragging, non embelishing)<br />
*# [[Asteya/Achurya]] - non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt, non-misappropriativeness<br />
*# [[Brahmacharya]] - restraint of senses(not giving into Pleasure)<br />
*# [[Kshama]] - forgiveness for the past, mercifull for historic sins, patience in the present<br />
*# [[Dhriti]] - steadfastness, overcoming non perserverance, fear, indecision; seeing each task through completion<br />
*# [[Daya]] - compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.<br />
*# [[Arjava]] - honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.<br />
*# [[Mitahara]] - moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor to little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.<br />
*# [[Shaucha]] - purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech, cleanliness<br />
*# [[Aparigraha]] - non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-selfishness, non-acquisitiveness<br />
<br />
* Niyamas: Duties & Responsibilities or Do's<br />
*# [[Hri]] - remorse for misdeeds<br />
*# [[Santosha]] - contentment; being satisfied with the resources at hand - therefore not desiring more; peacefulness<br />
*# [[Dana]] - giving, without thought of reward<br />
*# [[Astikya]] - Faith, believing firmly in the Guru, believing firmly in the path to enlightenment, believing firmly in the religious scriptures<br />
*# [[Ishvarapujana]] - worship of the Lord, the cultivation of devotion through daily worship and meditation, the return to the source<br />
*# [[Siddhanta shravana]] - scriptural listening, studying the teachings and listening to the wise of one's lineage<br />
*# [[Mati]] - cognition, developing a spiritual will and intellect with the Guru's guidance<br />
*# [[Vrata]] - sacred vows, fulfilling religious vows, rules and observances faithfully<br />
*# [[Japa]] - recitation, chanting Religious scriptutes daily<br />
*# [[Tapas]] - austerity, spiritual discipline<br />
*# [[Swadhyaya]] - introspective self-study, spiritual study<br />
*# [[Ishwarapranidhana]] - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Buddhism==<br />
In Buddhism, followers adhere to these five principles of the dharma:<br />
<br />
*Faith in the triple gem, which is [[Buddha]], Dharma, and [[Sangha]]. Sangha is the community. <br />
*The Precepts: don’t [[kill]], don’t [[steal]], don’t engage in sexual misconduct ([[rape]] or [[adultery]]), don’t [[lie]], and don’t take [[alcohol|intoxicants]] which cloud the mind. <br />
*Listening: Only through listening can we understand [[good]] and [[evil]]. <br />
*Giving: Engaging in [[charity]] and selflessness reminds us that the Dharma is not intended for us alone, but it is to be shared with everyone. <br />
*Wisdom: One has to listen, contemplate and put into practice the Dharma. Then one may gain [[wisdom]], and realize the truth.<br />
<br />
===References===<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*The [[Ten Commandments]] of [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]]<br />
<br />
[[category:Hinduism]]<br />
[[category:Buddhism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharma&diff=892152Dharma2011-07-22T16:18:30Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''''Dharma''''' or ''''Dharm'''' is a [[Sanskrit]] word (Sanskrit: धर्म, Pali: ''dhamma''), from a root meaning "to hold up, to carry, to bear, to sustain",<ref>http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm</ref> with a great variety of meanings in the [[Dharmic religion]]s of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]].<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Hinduism==<br />
<br />
''Dharma'' means Faith, Belief, Religion, and personal Law - all at the same time. Its most generic sense is that of righteousness or duty. It also refers to an [[ethics|ethical]] way of living; it is the path one should follow to live rightly in accordance with [[Hindu]] philosophical principles. The old name for Vedic Hinduism is Sanatan Dharm, meaning eternal law.<br />
<br />
Rules for [[Brahmin]] Priests & Monks:<br />
<br />
*Yamas: Restraints or Dont's<br />
*# [[Ahimsa]] - non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness<br />
*# [[Satya]] - truthfulness, honesty (non lying, non bragging, non embelishing)<br />
*# [[Asteya/Achurya]] - non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt, non-misappropriativeness<br />
*# [[Brahmacharya]] - restraint of senses<br />
*# [[Kshama]] - forgiveness for the past, mercifull for historic sins, patience in the present<br />
*# [[Dhriti]] - steadfastness, overcoming non perserverance, fear, indecision; seeing each task through completion<br />
*# [[Daya]] - compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.<br />
*# [[Arjava]] - honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.<br />
*# [[Mitahara]] - moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor to little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.<br />
*# [[Shaucha]] - purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech, cleanliness<br />
*# [[Aparigraha]] - non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-selfishness, non-acquisitiveness<br />
<br />
* Niyamas: Duties & Responsibilities or Do's<br />
*# [[Hri]] - remorse for misdeeds<br />
*# [[Santosha]] - contentment; being satisfied with the resources at hand - therefore not desiring more; peacefulness<br />
*# [[Dana]] - giving, without thought of reward<br />
*# [[Astikya]] - Faith, believing firmly in the Guru, believing firmly in the path to enlightenment, believing firmly in the religious scriptures<br />
*# [[Ishvarapujana]] - worship of the Lord, the cultivation of devotion through daily worship and meditation, the return to the source<br />
*# [[Siddhanta shravana]] - scriptural listening, studying the teachings and listening to the wise of one's lineage<br />
*# [[Mati]] - cognition, developing a spiritual will and intellect with the Guru's guidance<br />
*# [[Vrata]] - sacred vows, fulfilling religious vows, rules and observances faithfully<br />
*# [[Japa]] - recitation, chanting Religious scriptutes daily<br />
*# [[Tapas]] - austerity, spiritual discipline<br />
*# [[Swadhyaya]] - introspective self-study, spiritual study<br />
*# [[Ishwarapranidhana]] - self-surrender to god, offering of one's life to God<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==''Dharma'' in Buddhism==<br />
In Buddhism, followers adhere to these five principles of the dharma:<br />
<br />
*Faith in the triple gem, which is [[Buddha]], Dharma, and [[Sangha]]. Sangha is the community. <br />
*The Precepts: don’t [[kill]], don’t [[steal]], don’t engage in sexual misconduct ([[rape]] or [[adultery]]), don’t [[lie]], and don’t take [[alcohol|intoxicants]] which cloud the mind. <br />
*Listening: Only through listening can we understand [[good]] and [[evil]]. <br />
*Giving: Engaging in [[charity]] and selflessness reminds us that the Dharma is not intended for us alone, but it is to be shared with everyone. <br />
*Wisdom: One has to listen, contemplate and put into practice the Dharma. Then one may gain [[wisdom]], and realize the truth.<br />
<br />
===References===<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*The [[Ten Commandments]] of [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]]<br />
<br />
[[category:Hinduism]]<br />
[[category:Buddhism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmic_religion&diff=892139Dharmic religion2011-07-22T16:03:01Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Dharmic [[Religion|religions]]''' are a group of religions that follow along the lines of [[Dharma]]. There are currently four Dharmic religions:<br />
<br />
*[[Hinduism|Sanatan]] Dharma<br />
*[[Buddhism|Buddha]] Dharma<br />
*[[Jainism|Jain]] Dharma<br />
*[[Sikhism|Sikh]] Dharma<br />
<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions| ]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Wikiproject:Religion&diff=892138Wikiproject:Religion2011-07-22T15:56:37Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Members */</p>
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<div>Hello, and welcome to Wikiproject Religion, we are a project trying to improve the quality of religion related articles, if you've sufficient knowledge in a particular [[religion]] please specify under the members section<br />
<br />
==Members==<br />
To sign up simply put <nowiki>*~~~~</nowiki> followed by the religions you have adequate knowledge of<br />
<br />
*<span style="margin-top: -3px;">&nbsp;[[Image:50 star flag.png|12px]]</span><span style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; width:88px; height:15px; z-index:2;"> [[User:Deborah|Deborah]] [[Special:Contributions/Deborah|<font color="gray">(contributions)</font>]] [[User_talk:Deborah|<font color="darkslategray">(talk)</font>]]</span> [[Special:Emailuser/Deborah | email me]] 18:01, 28 July 2008 (EDT) [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Islam]] (founder)<br />
*[[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|שועל]] <small>([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]])</small> 18:03, 28 July 2008 (EDT) [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Messianic Judaism]]<br />
*--[[User:DeanS|DeanS<sup>talk</sup>]] 18:24, 28 July 2008 (EDT) [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]<br />
*--[[User:Phillip|Phillip]] 20:38, 5 August 2008 (EDT)<br />
*'''---[[user:DLerner]]---''' 21:20, 5 August 2008 (EDT)<br />
*--[[User:MCrowe|MCrowe]] 21:30, 5 August 2008 (EDT) Catholicism<br />
*-- [[Image:50 star flag.png|14px]] [[User:Jpatt|jp]] 15:50, 21 August 2008 (EDT) 15:49, 21 August 2008 (EDT) Catholicism<br />
*[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] <sup>[[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]]</sup> 18:52, 20 November 2008 (EST) [[Unification Church]] (member for {{years since|1977}} years); some familiarity with [[Judaism]], protestant and Catholic Christianity, [[Mormons]], [[Christian Science]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], church history starting with the [[Reformation]], various interfaith issues, and Christian [[ethics]].<br />
--[[User:Trekdude31|Trekdude31]] 20:45, 28 November 2008 (EST) Catholicism, Scientology, Atheism, A little bit of Aquinas too.<br />
* [[User:TerryH|TerryH]]<sup>[[User talk:TerryH|Talk]]</sup> 22:42, 2 December 2008 (EST) ([[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]], especially [[Old Testament]] history, genealogy, and chronology.<br />
--[[User:Krysg|Krysg]] 11:26, 5 December 2008 (EST) Egyptian, especially high (state) religion and the Heliopolitan solar cults, and Sunni Islam.<br />
*[[User:RickD|RickD]] 08:16, 13 December 2008 (EST) [[Pentecostal]]/[[Fundamentalism]] (started out as a curious sort of guru-buster, ended up undergoing a profound, miraculous conversion experience). Know something about [[Religion and science]] discipline. Currently, have access to professional search engines like Academic version of Lexis-Nexus. Decent researcher if someone needs another set of eyes to find or verify sources (i.e., feel free to boss me around once in a while).<br />
*[[User:Ddiaz841|Ddiaz841]] 23:11, 21 December 2008 (EST) Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism<br />
*[[User:Spotsbunch|Spotsbunch]] 8:37, 10 August 2009 (CST) Christianity, LDS, Islam<br />
*[[User:Esmith543|Esmith543]] 19:54, 11 January 2011 (EST) Christianity, Atheism, Agnosticism, Wicca<br />
---- [[Image:50 star flag.png|14px]] [[User:PhilipV|PhilipV]]<sup>[[User talk:PhilipV|'' I Support our Troops!'']]</sup> 09:29, 1 January 2009 (EST)<br />
--[[User:BishoiH|BishoiH]] 16:55, 23 January 2010 (EST) I can write about Coptic religion and about religion in general from sociological point of view and have some knowledge of anthropology and history of religion.<br />
*--[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 11:56, 22 July 2011 (EDT) [[Dharmic religion]]<br />
<br />
==Articles==<br />
===Featured Articles===<br />
*[[Jesus Christ]]<br />
*[[C.S. Lewis]]<br />
*[[Genesis]]<br />
*[[Scopes Trial]]<br />
*[[Bible]]<br />
*[[Saint Nicholas]]<br />
*[[Young Earth Creationism]]<br />
*[[Starlight problem]]<br />
*[[Passover]]<br />
===Potential featured religion articles===<br />
*[[Holy Days]]<br />
*[[Great Flood]]<br />
*[[Kosher]] <br />
*[[cult]]<br />
<br />
See [[Conservapedia:Featured articles]] to try to keep this always up to date and to vote and discuss if you would like these articles to be featured or not<br />
<br />
===Requested articles===<br />
====Requested Christianity articles====<br />
====Requested Hinduism articles====<br />
====Requested Islam articles====<br />
====Requested Judaism articles====<br />
====Other requested articles====<br />
*[[Book of Abraham]] (Mormonism)<br />
<br />
===Articles which need help on===<br />
*[[Halal]] I know about Islamic legends, but not about their law, I expanded this just a little bit, the best I could, I would appreciate it if other members could help expand the article --<span style="margin-top: -3px;">&nbsp;[[Image:50 star flag.png|12px]]</span><span style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; width:88px; height:15px; z-index:2;"> [[User:Deborah|Deborah]] [[Special:Contributions/Deborah|<font color="gray">(contributions)</font>]] [[User_talk:Deborah|<font color="darkslategray">(talk)</font>]]</span><br />
[[Special:Emailuser/Deborah | email me]] 18:23, 28 July 2008 (EDT)<br />
<br />
I was hoping that maybe the [[Kosher]] and [[Halal]] article could be featured around the same time --<span style="margin-top: -3px;">&nbsp;[[Image:50 star flag.png|12px]]</span><span style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; width:88px; height:15px; z-index:2;"> [[User:Deborah|Deborah]] [[Special:Contributions/Deborah|<font color="gray">(contributions)</font>]] [[User_talk:Deborah|<font color="darkslategray">(talk)</font>]]</span><br />
[[Special:Emailuser/Deborah | email me]] 18:33, 28 July 2008 (EDT)<br />
<br />
===New Articles===<br />
(Most of these articles will probably need to be expanded)<br />
*[[Religious vegetarianism]]<br />
<br />
==Potential Work groups/ and or Wikiprojects==<br />
[[Christianity]], [[Judaism]] maybe [[Hinduism]] and [[Islam]]<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[Wikiproject:Religion/category list]]<br />
[[Category:Wikiprojects]]<br />
[[Category:Wikiproject Religion]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Polytheism&diff=892114Polytheism2011-07-22T15:10:36Z<p>Ne0Freedom: Hindu Faith (Sanatan Dharma) is Panentheistic</p>
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<div>'''Polytheism''' is the belief in multiple gods. This is in contrast to [[monotheism]], the belief in one [[deity]]. Most ancient religions were polytheistic.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Types of Theism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Panentheism&diff=892113Panentheism2011-07-22T15:10:15Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
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<div>'''Panentheism''' (from Greek ''πᾶν'' (pân) "all"; ''ἐν'' (en) "in"; and ''θεός'' (Theós) "god"; "all-in-God") is the theological position that [[God]] is both [[Immanent theism|immanent]] and transcendent, that is that the Universe is within God, but God is also above it. <br />
<br />
The word was coined in 1828 by German philosopher [[Karl Christian Friedrich Krause]] (1781–1832) who sought to reconcile [[monotheism]] and [[pantheism]]. It was popularized in the mid-1900s by theologian [[Charles Hartshorne]], who made this conception the core of his [[process theology]], which describes God as not merely a being, but a process of constant perfection. For Hartshorne, God was necessarily able to become 'more perfect', having absolute perfection in categories for which absolute perfection was possible, and relative perfection in categories for which perfection can never be precisely determined, such as being perfect in love or mercy. <ref>Charles Hartshorne, ''Man's Vision of God and the Logic of Theism'' (1964).</ref><br />
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In reaching this conclusion Hartshorne examined and charted numerous conceptions of God. He specifically reviewed pantheism, [[deism]], and [[pandeism]] discarding each as flawed compared to panentheism. "Panentheistic doctrine", he wrote, "contains all of deism and pandeism except their arbitrary negations".<ref>Hartshorne, ''Man's Vision of God and the Logic of Theism'', p. 348</ref><br />
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In modern times, [[Hinduism]](Sanatan) is the largest, and best known of the Panentheistic religions. In Hinduism, God interpenetrates every atom of the universe, and every bieng has the potential to be one with God(Trancendence).<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Types of Theism]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Hinduism&diff=892100Talk:Hinduism2011-07-22T14:46:39Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* How old is Hinduism? */</p>
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<div>{{Wikiproject Religion}}<br />
== Middlegray's edits ==<br />
I removed Middlegray's edit with the edit comment, "''Thanks for the source. That allowed me to determine that the source, and therefore the para., was scurrilous misinformation, so I've removed it.''"<br />
<br />
Middlegray reinstated his edit, with the edit comment, "''Dear Philip J. Rayment, I am from India, I am Hindu and you are niether, so your judgment of authenticity of my sources is as good as my judgement about KKK''".<br />
<br />
True, I'm not from India, and I'm not Hindu, but I am from Australia and I am a Christian, so that makes me competent to judge what that anti-Christian Hindu site was saying, particularly when it said, "The terrorists [Christians] receive military aid from extremist Christian groups in Australia and New Zealand". This is either utter nonsense, or at best an extremely atypical situation.<br />
<br />
Karajou reverted the reinstatement. Nevertheless, the reinstatement did provide a different source, and the second part of the edit at least is supported there, so I am reinstating that bit.<br />
<br />
[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 06:50, 20 November 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
== Contradiction ==<br />
<br />
Would just like to note that it is said in this article that Hinduism in not a polytheistic religion. But if you click on the "polytheism" link, it says otherwise.<br />
<br />
== Controversies? ==<br />
<br />
Why would the Hinduism page be the only page of a major religion to receive a controversies section despite the fact almost every religious institution in history has had many controversies? Also the two examples included the caste system which was not originally part of hinduism but was actually a way for the indo-european invaders to obtain control over the indigenous population, and sati which is not a traditional hindu belief. This is only a question as to why the other religion based pages don't have these sections.<br />
<br />
:If you have information that should be added to this and other articles, then add it. Making substantive contributions is more helpful than complaining on the talk page. Excessive talk is disfavored here. [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 03:05, 17 July 2010 (EDT)<br />
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I am sorry If you feel I am just complaining that is not the case i am just concerned that an article that is quite small must receive a controversies section while much larger articles (i.e. Christianity, Judaism) don't receive such sections. I personally feel that there should not be a controversies section because it is about the religion itself not an institution or the people who practice it.<br />
<br />
== How old is Hinduism? ==<br />
This is a really good article. My only problem with it is the implausible assertion that Hinduism is about 5,000 years old which predates the Flood by about 700 years, [[User:ThomasTrimble|ThomasTrimble]] 14:29, 18 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:Actually Hinduism(Sanatan Dharma) is older than anyone knows (might be over 10,000 years old). Recorded time-marks in Hinduism are ''Ramayan'' ('''Treta era''': around 5114 BC), and ''Mahabharat'' ('''Dwapar era''': till 3102 BC). '''Kali era''', the current Age started on 18 Feb, 3102 BC; within 2 decades of the current mayan calander(12 August, 3114 BC). More liberal theories [http://www.google.co.in/search?q=1750000+years+Lanka+Bridge date Ramayan & Treta era to 1,750,000 years ago]. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 10:46, 22 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Hinduism&diff=892092Talk:Hinduism2011-07-22T14:01:03Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* How old is Hinduism? */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Wikiproject Religion}}<br />
== Middlegray's edits ==<br />
I removed Middlegray's edit with the edit comment, "''Thanks for the source. That allowed me to determine that the source, and therefore the para., was scurrilous misinformation, so I've removed it.''"<br />
<br />
Middlegray reinstated his edit, with the edit comment, "''Dear Philip J. Rayment, I am from India, I am Hindu and you are niether, so your judgment of authenticity of my sources is as good as my judgement about KKK''".<br />
<br />
True, I'm not from India, and I'm not Hindu, but I am from Australia and I am a Christian, so that makes me competent to judge what that anti-Christian Hindu site was saying, particularly when it said, "The terrorists [Christians] receive military aid from extremist Christian groups in Australia and New Zealand". This is either utter nonsense, or at best an extremely atypical situation.<br />
<br />
Karajou reverted the reinstatement. Nevertheless, the reinstatement did provide a different source, and the second part of the edit at least is supported there, so I am reinstating that bit.<br />
<br />
[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 06:50, 20 November 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
== Contradiction ==<br />
<br />
Would just like to note that it is said in this article that Hinduism in not a polytheistic religion. But if you click on the "polytheism" link, it says otherwise.<br />
<br />
== Controversies? ==<br />
<br />
Why would the Hinduism page be the only page of a major religion to receive a controversies section despite the fact almost every religious institution in history has had many controversies? Also the two examples included the caste system which was not originally part of hinduism but was actually a way for the indo-european invaders to obtain control over the indigenous population, and sati which is not a traditional hindu belief. This is only a question as to why the other religion based pages don't have these sections.<br />
<br />
:If you have information that should be added to this and other articles, then add it. Making substantive contributions is more helpful than complaining on the talk page. Excessive talk is disfavored here. [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 03:05, 17 July 2010 (EDT)<br />
<br />
I am sorry If you feel I am just complaining that is not the case i am just concerned that an article that is quite small must receive a controversies section while much larger articles (i.e. Christianity, Judaism) don't receive such sections. I personally feel that there should not be a controversies section because it is about the religion itself not an institution or the people who practice it.<br />
<br />
== How old is Hinduism? ==<br />
This is a really good article. My only problem with it is the implausible assertion that Hinduism is about 5,000 years old which predates the Flood by about 700 years, [[User:ThomasTrimble|ThomasTrimble]] 14:29, 18 July 2011 (EDT)<br />
:Actually Hinduism(Sanatan Dharma) is older than anyone knows (might be over 10,000 years old). Recorded time-marks in Hinduism are ''Ramayan'' ('''Treta era''': around 5114 BC), and ''Mahabharat'' ('''Dwapar era''': till 3102 BC). '''Kali era''', the current Age started on 18 Feb, 3102 BC; within 2 decades of the current mayan calander(12 August, 3114 BC). Google the key words for more Info. --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 10:01, 22 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Hinduism&diff=890478Hinduism2011-07-18T03:57:26Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Atheism? */</p>
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<div>[[Image:Hinduism.jpg|left|Hinduism]]<br />
'''Hinduism''' is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions.<ref>The largest being [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist, and Hinduism, in that order[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</ref> Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago.<ref>[http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduism101/a/origin.htm Origin of Hinduism] (About.com)</ref> Hinduism is the first [[Dharmic religion]]. It is often referred to as "the religion of India;" about 800 million of the world's billion Hindus live in India, so about 80 percent of Hindus are Indians.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Brief_analysis.pdf Census of India, religion data, brief analysis (PDF)]; "At the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 percent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 percent) as Muslims and 24 millions (2.3 percent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 percent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million (0.8 percent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 percent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ including tribal religions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion."</ref><br />
According to a recent American survey, Hindus are the best educated and among the richest religious groups in the [[United States]].<ref>Hanerjee, Neela, [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?ei=5124&en=1f44cce06fd2c02a&ex=1361682000&adxnnl=1&partner=digg&exprod=digg&adxnnlx=1204020358-3HkVoV4zxeYh9vTOw6Tydw Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds], New York Times, 25th February, 2008.</ref><br />
[[Image:Hinduism..jpg|240px|right|Shiva the Cosmic Dancer]]<br />
Hindus believe in [[reincarnation]] and eventual communion with [[Brahman]] (God) as well as respect for all life forms. Their holy writings are known as the [[Vedas]]. Hindus outline the four goals of various humans (purusharthas) as: dharma (righteousness), artha (material success), kama (love/pleasure), and moksha (release from reincarnation/reunification with Brahman); above all four of these, in certain Hindu schools, is the goal of pure Love of God.<br />
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== Definition by law==<br />
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In 1966, the Supreme Court of [[India]] defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: <br />
<br />
1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the “Bhagavat Gita,” a section in the Mahabharata concerning life’s never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri [[Krishna]] (incarnation of [[Vishnu]]) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield.<br />
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2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent’s view. <br />
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3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. <br />
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4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. <br />
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5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. <br />
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6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. <br />
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7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a [[polytheism|polytheistic]] religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one [[God]] but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example [[Agni]] (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, [[Indra]] (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and [[Lakshmi]] (fortune).<br />
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8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.<br />
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Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. <ref> [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261549/Hinduism Hinduism and Christianity] Encyclopædia Britannica. </ref><br />
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Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm India: International Religious Freedom Report 2003] (U.S. Department of State)</ref><br />
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For more on Hinduism, see [[World History Lecture Three]].<br />
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==Believer?==<br />
In Hinduism, Indians are categorized into four distinct categories, acording to their beliefs.<br />
* Advaita Astika: Believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Advaita Nastika: Believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Astika: Non-believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Nastika: Non-believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
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==Criticisms==<br />
===Sati===<br />
''Sati'' was a practice during the medieval period whereby still-in-love Hindu widows jumped into the funeral pyre for the their husbands(together till death). In modern times, family members of the husband forced widows to burn to death. Thus this practice was abolished in the 19th century by the efforts of Ram Mohan Roy and Lord William Bentinck.<br />
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===Caste system===<br />
Hinduism also has a "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:<br />
*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste in Hinduism)<br />
*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)<br />
*''Vaishya'' (merchants)<br />
*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)<br />
<br />
In ancient times, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career. As time passed on, both Caste and Profession became defined by birth. <ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref><br />
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''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste and without any rights, called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes. Even today there are many reports of discrimination against ''dalits''.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref><br />
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== External links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Hinduism-Hindu.htm Hindu Religion]<br />
*[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* Johnson, W. J. ''A Dictionary of Hinduism'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Hinduism-W-J-Johnson/dp/0198610254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Knott, Kim. ''Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/62971675?title=Hinduism%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]<br />
* Shattuck, Cybelle. ''Hinduism'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/read/103395975?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
* Sullivan, Bruce M. ''Historical Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997)<br />
* Werner, Karel. ''A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Dictionary-Hinduism-Dictionaries-Religion/dp/0700710493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Zaehner, R. C. ''Hinduism'' (1966) [http://www.questia.com/read/23180604?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
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==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism| ]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]<br />
[[Category:India]]<br />
[[category:Indian History]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Hinduism&diff=890474Hinduism2011-07-18T03:55:34Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Caste system */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Hinduism.jpg|left|Hinduism]]<br />
'''Hinduism''' is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions.<ref>The largest being [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist, and Hinduism, in that order[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</ref> Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago.<ref>[http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduism101/a/origin.htm Origin of Hinduism] (About.com)</ref> Hinduism is the first [[Dharmic religion]]. It is often referred to as "the religion of India;" about 800 million of the world's billion Hindus live in India, so about 80 percent of Hindus are Indians.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Brief_analysis.pdf Census of India, religion data, brief analysis (PDF)]; "At the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 percent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 percent) as Muslims and 24 millions (2.3 percent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 percent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million (0.8 percent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 percent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ including tribal religions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion."</ref><br />
According to a recent American survey, Hindus are the best educated and among the richest religious groups in the [[United States]].<ref>Hanerjee, Neela, [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?ei=5124&en=1f44cce06fd2c02a&ex=1361682000&adxnnl=1&partner=digg&exprod=digg&adxnnlx=1204020358-3HkVoV4zxeYh9vTOw6Tydw Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds], New York Times, 25th February, 2008.</ref><br />
[[Image:Hinduism..jpg|240px|right|Shiva the Cosmic Dancer]]<br />
Hindus believe in [[reincarnation]] and eventual communion with [[Brahman]] (God) as well as respect for all life forms. Their holy writings are known as the [[Vedas]]. Hindus outline the four goals of various humans (purusharthas) as: dharma (righteousness), artha (material success), kama (love/pleasure), and moksha (release from reincarnation/reunification with Brahman); above all four of these, in certain Hindu schools, is the goal of pure Love of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Definition by law==<br />
<br />
In 1966, the Supreme Court of [[India]] defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: <br />
<br />
1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the “Bhagavat Gita,” a section in the Mahabharata concerning life’s never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri [[Krishna]] (incarnation of [[Vishnu]]) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield.<br />
<br />
2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent’s view. <br />
<br />
3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. <br />
<br />
4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. <br />
<br />
5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. <br />
<br />
6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. <br />
<br />
7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a [[polytheism|polytheistic]] religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one [[God]] but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example [[Agni]] (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, [[Indra]] (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and [[Lakshmi]] (fortune).<br />
<br />
8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.<br />
<br />
Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. <ref> [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261549/Hinduism Hinduism and Christianity] Encyclopædia Britannica. </ref><br />
<br />
Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm India: International Religious Freedom Report 2003] (U.S. Department of State)</ref><br />
<br />
For more on Hinduism, see [[World History Lecture Three]].<br />
<br />
==Atheism?==<br />
In Hinduism, Indians are categorized into four distinct categories, acording to their beliefs.<br />
* Advaita Astika: Believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Advaita Nastika: Believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Astika: Non-believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Nastika: Non-believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==Criticisms==<br />
===Sati===<br />
''Sati'' was a practice during the medieval period whereby still-in-love Hindu widows jumped into the funeral pyre for the their husbands(together till death). In modern times, family members of the husband forced widows to burn to death. Thus this practice was abolished in the 19th century by the efforts of Ram Mohan Roy and Lord William Bentinck.<br />
<br />
===Caste system===<br />
Hinduism also has a "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:<br />
*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste in Hinduism)<br />
*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)<br />
*''Vaishya'' (merchants)<br />
*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)<br />
<br />
In ancient times, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career. As time passed on, both Caste and Profession became defined by birth. <ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref><br />
<br />
''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste and without any rights, called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes. Even today there are many reports of discrimination against ''dalits''.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref><br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Hinduism-Hindu.htm Hindu Religion]<br />
*[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* Johnson, W. J. ''A Dictionary of Hinduism'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Hinduism-W-J-Johnson/dp/0198610254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Knott, Kim. ''Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/62971675?title=Hinduism%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]<br />
* Shattuck, Cybelle. ''Hinduism'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/read/103395975?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
* Sullivan, Bruce M. ''Historical Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997)<br />
* Werner, Karel. ''A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Dictionary-Hinduism-Dictionaries-Religion/dp/0700710493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Zaehner, R. C. ''Hinduism'' (1966) [http://www.questia.com/read/23180604?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism| ]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]<br />
[[Category:India]]<br />
[[category:Indian History]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Hinduism&diff=890471Hinduism2011-07-18T03:51:55Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Hinduism.jpg|left|Hinduism]]<br />
'''Hinduism''' is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions.<ref>The largest being [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist, and Hinduism, in that order[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</ref> Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago.<ref>[http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduism101/a/origin.htm Origin of Hinduism] (About.com)</ref> Hinduism is the first [[Dharmic religion]]. It is often referred to as "the religion of India;" about 800 million of the world's billion Hindus live in India, so about 80 percent of Hindus are Indians.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Brief_analysis.pdf Census of India, religion data, brief analysis (PDF)]; "At the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 percent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 percent) as Muslims and 24 millions (2.3 percent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 percent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million (0.8 percent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 percent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ including tribal religions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion."</ref><br />
According to a recent American survey, Hindus are the best educated and among the richest religious groups in the [[United States]].<ref>Hanerjee, Neela, [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?ei=5124&en=1f44cce06fd2c02a&ex=1361682000&adxnnl=1&partner=digg&exprod=digg&adxnnlx=1204020358-3HkVoV4zxeYh9vTOw6Tydw Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds], New York Times, 25th February, 2008.</ref><br />
[[Image:Hinduism..jpg|240px|right|Shiva the Cosmic Dancer]]<br />
Hindus believe in [[reincarnation]] and eventual communion with [[Brahman]] (God) as well as respect for all life forms. Their holy writings are known as the [[Vedas]]. Hindus outline the four goals of various humans (purusharthas) as: dharma (righteousness), artha (material success), kama (love/pleasure), and moksha (release from reincarnation/reunification with Brahman); above all four of these, in certain Hindu schools, is the goal of pure Love of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Definition by law==<br />
<br />
In 1966, the Supreme Court of [[India]] defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: <br />
<br />
1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the “Bhagavat Gita,” a section in the Mahabharata concerning life’s never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri [[Krishna]] (incarnation of [[Vishnu]]) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield.<br />
<br />
2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent’s view. <br />
<br />
3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. <br />
<br />
4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. <br />
<br />
5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. <br />
<br />
6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. <br />
<br />
7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a [[polytheism|polytheistic]] religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one [[God]] but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example [[Agni]] (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, [[Indra]] (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and [[Lakshmi]] (fortune).<br />
<br />
8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.<br />
<br />
Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. <ref> [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261549/Hinduism Hinduism and Christianity] Encyclopædia Britannica. </ref><br />
<br />
Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm India: International Religious Freedom Report 2003] (U.S. Department of State)</ref><br />
<br />
For more on Hinduism, see [[World History Lecture Three]].<br />
<br />
==Atheism?==<br />
In Hinduism, Indians are categorized into four distinct categories, acording to their beliefs.<br />
* Advaita Astika: Believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Advaita Nastika: Believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Astika: Non-believer of God & Believer of Scripture<br />
* Dvaita Nastika: Non-believer of God & Non-believer of Scripture<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==Criticisms==<br />
===Sati===<br />
''Sati'' was a practice during the medieval period whereby still-in-love Hindu widows jumped into the funeral pyre for the their husbands(together till death). In modern times, family members of the husband forced widows to burn to death. Thus this practice was abolished in the 19th century by the efforts of Ram Mohan Roy and Lord William Bentinck.<br />
<br />
===Caste system===<br />
Hinduism also has a "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:<br />
*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste in Hinduism)<br />
*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)<br />
*''Vaishya'' (merchants)<br />
*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)<br />
<br />
In ancient times, caste was determined by profession, and could be changer by changing career. As time passed on, both Caste and Profession became defined by birth. <ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref><br />
<br />
''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste and without any rights, called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes. Even today there are many reports of discrimination against ''dalits''.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref><br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Hinduism-Hindu.htm Hindu Religion]<br />
*[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* Johnson, W. J. ''A Dictionary of Hinduism'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Hinduism-W-J-Johnson/dp/0198610254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Knott, Kim. ''Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/62971675?title=Hinduism%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]<br />
* Shattuck, Cybelle. ''Hinduism'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/read/103395975?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
* Sullivan, Bruce M. ''Historical Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997)<br />
* Werner, Karel. ''A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Dictionary-Hinduism-Dictionaries-Religion/dp/0700710493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Zaehner, R. C. ''Hinduism'' (1966) [http://www.questia.com/read/23180604?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism| ]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]<br />
[[Category:India]]<br />
[[category:Indian History]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Hinduism&diff=890463Hinduism2011-07-18T03:39:50Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Hinduism.jpg|left|Hinduism]]<br />
'''Hinduism''' is the fourth largest religion in the world and is the oldest among major religions.<ref>The largest being [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist, and Hinduism, in that order[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</ref> Historians believe that it originated more than 5000 years ago.<ref>[http://hinduism.about.com/od/hinduism101/a/origin.htm Origin of Hinduism] (About.com)</ref> Hinduism is the first [[Dharmic religion]]. It is often referred to as "the religion of India;" about 800 million of the world's billion Hindus live in India, so about 80 percent of Hindus are Indians.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Brief_analysis.pdf Census of India, religion data, brief analysis (PDF)]; "At the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 percent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 percent) as Muslims and 24 millions (2.3 percent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 percent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million (0.8 percent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 percent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to ‘Other Religions and Persuasions’ including tribal religions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion."</ref><br />
According to a recent American survey, Hindus are the best educated and among the richest religious groups in the [[United States]].<ref>Hanerjee, Neela, [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?ei=5124&en=1f44cce06fd2c02a&ex=1361682000&adxnnl=1&partner=digg&exprod=digg&adxnnlx=1204020358-3HkVoV4zxeYh9vTOw6Tydw Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds], New York Times, 25th February, 2008.</ref><br />
[[Image:Hinduism..jpg|240px|right|Shiva the Cosmic Dancer]]<br />
Hindus believe in [[reincarnation]] and eventual communion with [[Brahman]] (God) as well as respect for all life forms. Their holy writings are known as the [[Vedas]]. Hindus outline the four goals of various humans (purusharthas) as: dharma (righteousness), artha (material success), kama (love/pleasure), and moksha (release from reincarnation/reunification with Brahman); above all four of these, in certain Hindu schools, is the goal of pure Love of God.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Definition by law==<br />
<br />
In 1966, the Supreme Court of [[India]] defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: <br />
<br />
1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the “Bhagavat Gita,” a section in the Mahabharata concerning life’s never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri [[Krishna]] (incarnation of [[Vishnu]]) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield.<br />
<br />
2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponent’s view. <br />
<br />
3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. <br />
<br />
4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. <br />
<br />
5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. <br />
<br />
6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. <br />
<br />
7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a [[polytheism|polytheistic]] religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one [[God]] but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example [[Agni]] (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, [[Indra]] (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and [[Lakshmi]] (fortune).<br />
<br />
8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.<br />
<br />
Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. <ref> [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261549/Hinduism Hinduism and Christianity] Encyclopædia Britannica. </ref><br />
<br />
Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm India: International Religious Freedom Report 2003] (U.S. Department of State)</ref><br />
<br />
For more on Hinduism, see [[World History Lecture Three]].<br />
<br />
==Criticisms==<br />
===Sati===<br />
''Sati'' was a practice during the medieval period whereby still-in-love Hindu widows jumped into the funeral pyre for the their husbands(together till death). In modern times, family members of the husband forced widows to burn to death. Thus this practice was abolished in the 19th century by the efforts of Ram Mohan Roy and Lord William Bentinck.<br />
<br />
===Caste system===<br />
Hinduism also has a "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:<br />
*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste in Hinduism)<br />
*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)<br />
*''Vaishya'' (merchants)<br />
*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)<br />
<br />
In ancient times, caste was determined by profession, and could be changer by changing career. As time passed on, both Caste and Profession became defined by birth. <ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref><br />
<br />
''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste and without any rights, called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes. Even today there are many reports of discrimination against ''dalits''.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref><br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Hinduism-Hindu.htm Hindu Religion]<br />
*[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* Johnson, W. J. ''A Dictionary of Hinduism'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Hinduism-W-J-Johnson/dp/0198610254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Knott, Kim. ''Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/62971675?title=Hinduism%3a%20A%20Very%20Short%20Introduction online edition]<br />
* Shattuck, Cybelle. ''Hinduism'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/read/103395975?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
* Sullivan, Bruce M. ''Historical Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997)<br />
* Werner, Karel. ''A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism'' (1997) [http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Dictionary-Hinduism-Dictionaries-Religion/dp/0700710493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238980666&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]<br />
* Zaehner, R. C. ''Hinduism'' (1966) [http://www.questia.com/read/23180604?title=Hinduism online edition]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism| ]]<br />
[[Category:Dharmic Religions]]<br />
[[Category:India]]<br />
[[category:Indian History]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Debate_Topics&diff=890446Conservapedia:Debate Topics2011-07-18T03:04:59Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* Religious debates */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Debate topic suggestions, organized so that it's not necessary to delete them.'''<br />
<br />
(Note: If some topic is miscategorized, it can be cut and pasted without affecting the relevant links.)<br />
<br />
==Philosophical Debates==<br />
# [[Debate:Can Conservapedia become the next Wikipedia, is this good or bad]]<br />
# [[Debate:If there is no objective truth, then is the claim "there is no objective truth" also not an objective truth?]]<br />
# [[Conservapedia:Does History Matter?|Does History Matter?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is a first cause of a process necessary, always possible, or sometimes impossible?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Can Objectivism develop beyond Ayn Rand's original formulation?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Can any man live without some code of morality?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the universe include everything, or does something outside the universe exist?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why is there something rather than nothing?]]<br />
# [[Conservapedia:Stem Cells| Embryonic Stem Cells: Why or why not?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why Reason?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should pharmacists be forced to fill legal prescriptions they personally object to on moral grounds?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What is the real love?]]<br />
# [[Debate:who created God?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Why have conservatives let themselves get a bad name?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Is it possible for God to be timeless?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Is it possible for man to live a moral life without religion?]]<br />
# [[Debate: How do conservatives view the Open Source movement and software?]]<br />
# [[Debate: At what point does "Human" life begin?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Are fear of death and sorrow compatible with faith?]]<br />
<br />
==Religious debates==<br />
# [[Debate:Does God punish sinners for eternity?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Should certain books be banned from libraries?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the first story of creation be read allegorically or literally?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Scientology a false religion?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why do Moses, Ezra, Jesus, and Paul all disagree on divorce?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Did Jesus ever claim to be God?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Grave errors/inconsistencies in the Bible make literal translation worthless.]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was Jesus born in the right time and place?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What does Christianity say about homosexuality?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What does Christianity say about Pedosexuality?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If God does not exist, can anything be morally wrong?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Did God create evil?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which Christian denomination is the most true to the central teachings of Christianity?]] <br />
# [[Debate:If Jesus were alive to day, where on the political spectrum would he fall?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should Religion Play a Large Role in Modern Societies?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the Bible (Old and the New Testament) have the infallible words of God?]] <br />
# [[Debate:AntiSemitism]] <br />
# [[Debate:Does Intelligent Design deny the Existence of God?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Could God create a rock so heavy that he himself could not lift it?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What is the relationship between religion and the human tendency to kill each other?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Natural Disaster versus Act of God]]<br />
# [[Debate:What is the Sabbath day?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is it possible to be a conservative and not a religious person or even an atheist?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why do we still perform Baptisms?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the Resurrection negate Gods Sacrifice of his only son?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If most Muslims learned their religion from their parents, just like us Christians, they will probably be hard to convert. So what can we do to save their souls?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If_most_Christians_learned_their_religion_from_their_parents%2C_just_like_us_Muslims%2C_they_will_probably_be_hard_to_convert._So_what_can_we_do_to_save_their_souls%3F|Debate:If most Christians learned their religion from their parents, just like us Muslims, they will probably be hard to convert. So what can we do to save their souls?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does mainstream Islam endorse violence?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is religion morally wrong?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the Bible display poor ethics and morals?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why the Bible|Debate:What makes the Bible a reliable source of knowledge besides tradition?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why should we be afraid of God?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Do conservative Christians have an unquestioning faith which is comparable to that of the Party in the book 1984?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Antisemitism]]<br />
# [[Debate:Are Christianity and the Bible superior to other religions and scriptures?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is "Coercive Interrogation" consistent with Christian Values?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should all access to Conservapedia be banned on Sundays?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Mary Magdalene - First Witness to the Resurrection - Significance?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was Christ a fundamentalist?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Atheism vs. Deism]]<br />
# [[Debate:Atheism vs. Pastafarianism]]<br />
# [[Debate:Are Young Earth Creationists detracting others from the Faith?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is there 1 God or are there many gods?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Can you be a true Christian and believe in evolution?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should gay marriage be allowed?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is atheism a religion?]]<br />
# [[Debate: If not naturalism, how do we decide which supernatural explanation is correct?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Are Catholics Christians?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Do Atheist believe they have a soul?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Were Judas' actions necessary and foreordained?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Is it possible to voluntarily convert one's religion?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Can Christianity exist without Apostles and Prophets?]]<br />
# [[Debate: What do you think about the violence in the Bible?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Could Christian denominations exist without the Catholic Church?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Which version of the Bible should be used as the authoritative reference on Conservapedia?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Should Christians celebrate Christmas?]]<br />
#[[Debate:Either God is indecisive or the world's major religions have ALL got it wrong]]<br />
#[[Debate:Creationist]]<br />
#[[Debate:Did Joan of Arc truly hear voices?]]<br />
#[[Debate:Do ALL suicides go to hell?]]<br />
#[[Debate:Epicurus' Trilemma]]<br />
#[[Debate: Why does God care if we worship Him or not? Is it His ego?]]<br />
#[[Debate: Can God explain all of the conspiracy theories and all other phenonmena?]]<br />
#[[Debate: Should Christians be more forthright in stating that Allah is not the same being as the Judeo-Christian God?]]<br />
<br />
==Historical debates==<br />
# [[Debate:Was Benjamin Franklin a deist?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was the European colonization of the Americas good for the native people?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was President George H. W. Bush wrong to leave Saddam in power in 1991?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which was worse? the Civil War and it's effects or slavery?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why are most actors turned politicians Republicans?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Did the Founding Fathers intend to apply their personal faith to the nation "As an institution"?]]<br />
<br />
==Political debates==<br />
# [[Debate:Does Abstinence Only Education help or hurt us?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Should we criminalize homosexuality?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is homosexuality responsible for totalitarianism?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Did the Founders have a religious motive?]]<br />
# [[Debate: To what extent should we have obscenity laws]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why do we still have an embargo on Cuba?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Has Britain Declined?]] <br />
# [[Debate:Is illegal immigration control the answer to illegal immigration?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Has Britain become the 51st State of the US?]]<br />
# [[Debate:You think these Phd's are nuts?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the European Union pose a threat to the United States?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which is true; progressive Liberal or regressive liberal]]<br />
# [[Debate:Define torture]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the United States have entered World War I?]] <br />
# [[Debate:Should the United States have entered World War II?]] <br />
# [[Debate:Should the United States have eliminated communism in North Korea|Debate:Should the United States have eliminated communism in North Korea as General Douglas MacArthur wanted?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was the United States right to drop atomic bombs so quickly on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was it wrong for him to allow the attack in order to wake up the American public and motivate Americans to fight and win the war?|Debate:If President Roosevelt had known about the Pearl Harbor attack in advance, would it have been wrong for him to allow the attack in order to wake up the American public and motivate Americans to fight and win the war?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is gun-control the answer to crimes involving guns?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was world war inevitable?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does "free trade" increase wealth rather than simply redistribute it?]] <br />
# [[Debate:Is it even possible to install democracy in a Muslim country?]] <br />
# [[Debate:Is democracy even possible in Iraq?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should we have given the Panama Canal back to Panama?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the United States leave the United Nations?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Crusades... Good or Bad?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was American soldier Michael New right to refuse to fight wearing part of a United Nations uniform?]] See [[Michael New]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which is a more powerful ideology, Islam or communism?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the United States intervene in small countries to defeat communism there?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should public displays of the 10 Commandments be allowed under the constitution?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which has the best philosophy of education: the public school system, private schools, or the home school movement?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should We Support Democrats For Life.org?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Women in the Military?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should students learn a foreign language?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why does the right side of the political spectrum tend to be more religous?|Debate:Why does the right side of the political spectrum tend to be more religious?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should there be a consistent standard on human rights applied to left and right?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should American companies be allowed to send their own troops into a war which America is participating in?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Giuliani's lack of social conservative viewpoints should not stop you from voting for him.]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is President Bush good for America?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the Iraq War a success?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does single sex schooling promotes homesexuality?|Debate:Does Single sex schooling promote homosexuality?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the media really have a liberal bias?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What kind of leader will Democrats make if they run from debates on Fox?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Are the Democrats capable of fighting terrorism?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Can a rogue nation be thought of as a sovereign nation?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Has Russia reinstalled stealth communism?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Do we all know what Democrat Presidential candidates stand for yet?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Define Civil War]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should gun sales to terror suspects be allowed?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Darwinism liberal or is it conservative?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why did God place most of the world's oil in politically unstable places?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Restoring the USA image in the world, just a fancy phrase that means zilch?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Placing the blame on how America got polarized]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is most government criticism really patriotic?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is environmentalism mostly about preserving natural resources?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Third Party Debate]]<br />
# [[Debate:Preferred Democrat for the White House?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does Republican equal conservative? Does Democrat equal liberal?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Obama's preacher.]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the United States begin Colonizing Space?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the federal government have the power to define marriage?]]<br />
# [[Debate:The Declaration of Independence or Interdependence?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the U.S.A. abide by a withdrawal timetable if the Iraqi Parliament votes for one?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should U.S. troops be subject to Iraqi law if that allows our continued presence there?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should government restrictions on smoking be tightened or rolled back?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Sarah Palin an asset or a liability to John McCain's candidacy?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is a candidate's military record relevant anymore?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should politicians be allowed to misspeak?]]<br />
# [[Debate: What is sufficient proof that Obama is a Muslim?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Obama a Muslim?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was McCain's threat to pull out of the debates a political stunt?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If Obama Was Conservative]]<br />
# [[Debate:What level of Gun Control is appropriate?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the Bush administration's Conscience Rule a step forward or backward for U.S. Healthcare?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Why do political views appear to be correlated with others?]]<br />
#[[Debate:What should be America's policy toward Islam]]?<br />
#[[Debate:Is the American Occupation of the Hawaiian Islands justified?]]<br />
#[[Debate:Was the American involvement in the Vietnam War justified?]]<br />
#[[Debate:Was the North right to prevent Southern secession in the US Civil War?]]<br />
#[[Debate:Is the 2009 Stimulus Plan the right approach, and if not what would be?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Obama being unfairly criticized, or is too much being expected of our new president?]]<br />
# [[Is it possible to be conservative and know there is no possibility of there ever being a "God" and/or higher being?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Obama an Atheist?]]<br />
# [[Would anybody consider President Barry Soetoro a Muslim?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Illegal Immigrants: Is it too late for US?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Was Osama really killed in Abbottabad?]]<br />
<br />
==Economic debates==<br />
# [[Debate: Can there be price controls without shortages?]]<br />
# [[Debate: Counterfeiting: A Moral Hazard]]<br />
#[[Debate:Should Americans be required to buy health insurance?]]<br />
# [[Is our freedom to consume what we want whenever we want worth the cost (i.e. environmental, social, economic, etc.)?]]<br />
<br />
==Scientific debates==<br />
# [[Debate:Does Darwinian natural selection suggest that bigotry is a necessary self-defense mechanism?]] <br />
# [[Debate:Is Darwinian natural selection compatible with Marxism?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the theory of macroevolution true?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Giving Birth the Bible Way Better?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should Creationism/Intelligent design be taught as a scientific alternative to evolution in public schools?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is global warming evident, and if so, is this the fault of man, and how must man stop it?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If the universe is young and it takes light millions of years to reach us from far off stars, how can we see them?]]<br />
# [[Debate:God, Earth and Global Warming]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the evidence in favor of evolution convincing?|Is the evidence in favor of evolution convincing?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If the Bible didn't contain a creation story, would anyone even consider the idea of a young earth?|Debate:If the Bible didn't contain a creation story, would anyone even consider the idea of a young earth?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Relativity in direct conflict with the Genesis account?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Who feels that scientific related articles should only reference published research papers instead of websites when dealing with research instead of application?]]<br />
# [[Debate:If it could be unambiguously demonstrated that man is NOT the most evolved animal, then would this support or refute ther idea of Creation by God?|Debate:If it could be unambiguously demonstrated that man is NOT the most evolved animal]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why are God's works always questioned?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Are there any elements of choice, when it comes to carrying out homosexual acts?|Debate:Are there any elements of choice]]<br />
# [[Debate:Listing the Earth's most pressing needs in urgent order of fixing]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is homosexuality a mental illness?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Can the science of evolution be separated from the philosophy of it?]]<br />
# [[Debate:_15_questions_for_evolutionists.]]<br />
<br />
==Debates about Conservapedia==<br />
# [[Debate:Is Conservapedia representing a conservative POV or a Young Earth Creationist POV?]]<br />
# [[Debate:The liberal quotient of Conservapedia; what is it? Does it matter?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does bias impair Wikipedia's reliability?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the term list entries be included in Conservapedia's entry count?]]<br />
# [[Debate:How should Conservapedia work to avoid having a conservative bias?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Can Conservapedia Succeed?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Conservapedia fair and balanced?]]<br />
# [[Debate:How can we protect Conservapedia by distinguishing real conservative encyclopedia articles from satires written by liberals?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What exactly is Conservapedia?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was the media attention needed?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which is true; progressive Liberal or regressive liberal]]<br />
# [[Debate:Where do you personally look for facts and information on topics "When did Brahms live" or "Why did Monet paint grainstacks?"]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is it okay for Conservapedia to have biased articles?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Who deletes entire discussion items from here? And why?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the use of copyrighted photographs without permission stealing?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is it tasteless for Conservapedia to critique the Virginia Tech poem on the Main Page?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Has anyone ever been been banned for pointing out that many of the other entries on this site are in need of citation and evidence to back up statements?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does an encyclopedia define complex subjects, or insert more bias into them?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Do sysops block editing on pages when it seems their opponents are making strong points?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Conservapedia a 'Trustworthy Encyclopedia'?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does altering the record of debate in a wiki 'Encyclopedia' render the entire thing a farce?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Democrats next move, link more stories of heartache like those from Kansas to Gulf Coast.]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Conservapedia blinkered?|Is Conservapedia blinkered?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does Conservapedia censor opponents the way Expelled says ID advocates are censored?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the Conservapedia Logo in violation of US Flag Code?]]<br />
# [[Debate:The 90/10 rule exists soley to squash debate, and should be eliminated]]<br />
# [[Debate:What will Conservapedia be like if Barack Obama wins the election?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Which is more important, economic or social conservatism?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the Conservapedia logo be changed?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Can/May/Should online wiki encyclopedias copy from each other?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is it time to propagate Conservapedia in other languages/countries?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should the loser of debates be blocked?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the Conservapedia description of liberals heavy-handed?]]<br />
<br />
==Funny, maybe?==<br />
<br />
# [[Debate:Are cats just useless Dogs]]<br />
# [[Debate:Was the shooting at Virginia Tech somehow President Bush's fault?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Are video games getting better or worse as graphics, sound, and gameplay complexity improve?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Favorite old time radio show]]<br />
<br />
==Other==<br />
# [[Debate:Are alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine gateway drugs?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is Rap music torture?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Should marijuana be legalized?]]<br />
# [[Debate:What are the lessons that we should take away from the Milgram Experiment]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does the Theory of Evolution promote atheism?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Mall Shootings]]<br />
# [[Debate:Creationist]]<br />
# [[Debate:Is the Theory of Evolution a conspiricy?]]<br />
# [[Debate:How should we view the fact leading scientists do not believe in god?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Does modern music negatively influence children]]<br />
# [[Debate:Propaganda in childrens' television]]<br />
# [[Debate:What Is Music?]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why are there so few homosexual athletes]]<br />
# [[Debate:Relationship between Socialism and athletic performance]]<br />
# [[Debate:Why the Conservative, Christian South has the highest rates of liberal traits]]<br />
<br />
{{Conservapedia}}<br />
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[[Category:Conservapedia]]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Sodom&diff=887972Sodom2011-07-10T17:16:44Z<p>Ne0Freedom: /* The example of Sodom */ corrected KJV Jude citation</p>
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<div>[[Image:Martin destruction sodom640x422.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Destruction of Sodom by God]]<br />
<br />
'''Sodom''' was one of five ancient [[Canaanite]] (Gn. 10:19) "cities of the Plain", (Gn. 13:10) , along with its sister city of iniquity, [[Gommorah]], and Admah, Zeboim and Lasha. The Bible records that Sodom and Gommorah were destroyed because, among other sins, they, "and the cities about them in like manner, [were] giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh", and thus "are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 1:7 [[KJV]]) Biblical texts confirm that "the cities about them" would be or would include Admah, and Zeboim. (Dt. 29:23; Hos. 11:8) Their destruction was by means of brimstone (thought by some to be hot [[lava]]) and fire from heaven, but which was preceded by the confirmation of the wickedness of Sodom by angels of God (appearing as men), and deliverance of righteous Lot and those of his family who went with him. Lot's wife however, disobeyed the command of the angels not to look back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. This region later became part of the the Holy Land of Israel. <br />
<br />
==Dr. Bryant Wood's Archaeological Investigation in Relation to Sodom== <br />
<br />
[[Image:sodom1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Location of the Ancient City of Sodom near the Dead Sea.]]<br />
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The following is reported by Probe Ministries in regards to archaeological work relating to the biblical city of Sodom:<br />
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{{cquote|Most intriguing was evidence that a massive fire had destroyed the city. It lay buried under a coating of ash several feet thick. A cemetery one kilometer outside the city contained charred remains of roofs, posts, and bricks turned red from heat.<br />
<br />
Dr. [[Bryant Wood]], in describing these charnel houses, stated that a fire began on the roofs of these buildings. Eventually the burning roof collapsed into the interior and spread inside the building. This was the case in every house they excavated. Such a massive fiery destruction would match the biblical account that the city was destroyed by fire that rained down from heaven. Wood states, "The evidence would suggest that this site of Bab edh-Drha is the biblical city of Sodom."<ref>[http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4227395/k.3D9E/Archaeology_and_the_Old_Testament.htm Archaeology and the Old Testament by Patrick Zukeran]</ref>}}<br />
<br />
Dr. Wood provides some additional material in relation to archaeological evidence for the biblical city of Sodom.<ref>[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/science/SC3W0903.pdf The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Part 1 of 2]</ref><ref>[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/science/SC3W1003.pdf The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—Part 2]</ref><br />
<br />
==The story of Sodom==<br />
<br />
Sodom was on the Canaanite border (Genesis 10:19), and is recorded as being part of a fertile, prosperous region, (Genesis 13:10) which would be highly desirably in an agrarian based economy. However, the people of Sodom were "wicked and sinners" before God (Genesis 13:13). The King of Sodom was Bera (Genesis 14:2), and when Bera went to war with Chedorlaomer, Lot was captured. In response, [[Abraham]], then called Abram, using his own trained servants, rescued Lot as well as Bera and his men. This was the first recorded example of a [[just war]] in the Bible. However, Abraham would not accept any reward for this. (Genesis 14) <br />
<br />
Genesis chapters 18 and 19 contain the most detail about Sodom. At the beginning of Genesis 18, three men visit Abraham and Sarah, and Abraham bows before them, and hastens to treat them as honored guests, feeding under a tree and making them comfortable. They ask where Sarah is, and Abraham and Sarah are promised a child with the year. At this point it is revealed that one of the three men is the LORD, while later it is revealed that the other two men are angels. These two men then set their face toward Sodom, and as Abraham brings them on their way, the LORD reveals to him the purpose of their mission.<br />
<br />
:"And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know." (Genesis 18: 19, 20)<br />
<br />
It is thus seen that the very grievous wickedness of Sodom was already well established, well before the angels had not yet set foot in the city, but which would be confirmed by their reaction to the angelic men. This method is seen as being part of the formal process of judgment by God, in which the reaction to messengers of God confirms their worthiness of wrath. (Mt. 11:20) A different reaction was manifested by the people of Nineveh to the preaching of [[Jonah (prophet)|Jonah]] the prophet of God. <br />
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Abraham knows that his (decidedly weaker in faith) nephew Lot was in Sodom, and Abraham reverently inquires of God if he would spare the city if 50, then 45, then 30, then 20, or even 10 righteous people were found in it, with God affirming he would not destroy it after each request, for the sake of the righteous yet dwelling therein. The two angels of God proceed to Sodom and are met by Abraham's righteous nephew Lot, who constrains the angels to lodge with him, and they eat with his family. <br />
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[[Image:A02j LotAndDaughters.jpg|thumbnail|left|150px|[[Lot]] and his daughters fleeing Sodom.]]<br />
<br />
However, similar to the parallel story in Judges 19, <br />
<br />
:"But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. (Genesis 19:4, 5)<br />
<br />
In response, Lot pleads with his countrymen, <br />
<br />
:"I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. (Genesis 19:7,8) <br />
<br />
However, this offer is refused, and instead the crowd threatens to do worse to Lot then they would have done to his guests, and press sore upon him, almost breaking the door. In response, Lot's angelic guests pull him inside, shut the door, and strike the men with blindness, no doubt revealing to the Sodomites that Lot's guests were no ordinary men. Lot is then commanded by the angels to gather his family and leave, revealing that the Lord will destroy the region. However, Lot's sons in law do not believe him, and while Lot himself lingers, the angels take him and his wife and their two daughters by the hand, "the LORD being merciful unto him", and set them outside the city. The angels also command Lot and his family not to look back under any circumstances. However, as Sodom and Gomorrah were being destroyed by fire and brimstone from God, Lot's wife looks back at the city, and becomes a pillar of salt.<br />
<br />
===The example of Sodom===<br />
<br />
Sodom is often used in the Bible as an example of a people given to iniquity, and the climatic utter destruction of Sodom is invoked as an example of the wrath of God against ongoing impenitence and sin. However, it is also seen as a story of the salvation of God, by His deliverance of God-fearing Lot, while Jesus referred to Lot's wife in warning not to look back to that which God has called the redeemed to leave behind. (Lk. 17:31,32)<ref>Matthew Henry, Gen 19:26</ref> <br />
<br />
Genesis 19:24-25 records,<br />
<br />
:"...the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground." [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2019:24-25;&version=49; Genesis 19:24-25]<br />
<br />
2Peter 2:6-7 (KJV} also references both Sodom and Lot, <br />
<br />
:"And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked".<br />
<br />
{{bibleverse||Jude|1:7|KJV}}, affirms that both Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them were "giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." <br />
<br />
{{bibleverse||Isaiah|3:9|KJV}}, associates Sodom with shameless sinning. <br />
<br />
{{bibleverse||Jeremiah|23:14|KJV}} associates Sodom and Gomorrah with adultery and lies. <br />
<br />
In Ezekiel 16:48-50 (KJV}, God compares [[Jerusalem]] to Sodom, saying "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. (49) Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (50) And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.<br />
<br />
{{bibleverse||Mark|6:11-12|KJV}}(cf. Mt. 11:20-24; Lk. 10:1-12), Jesus declares certain cities more damnable than Sodom and Gomorrah, due to their response to Jesus' disciples, in the light of greater grace. <br />
<br />
{{bibleverse||Luke|17:28-29|KJV}}, uses Sodom as an example of indifference; careless living. <br />
<br />
==== Additional biblical References to Sodom and Gomorrah ====<br />
* (Eze. 16:49)<br />
* (Gen. 13:13)<br />
* (Gen. 19:1-25; Jgs. 19)<br />
* (Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:32)<br />
* (Deut. 23:17,18; Mat. 7:6; Phil. 3:2)<br />
* (Deut. 32:32,33)<br />
* (Isa. 3:9)<br />
* (Jer. 6:15)<br />
* (Psa. 5:5)<br />
* (Jn. 8:44)<br />
* (2 Pet. 2:7,8)<br />
* (2 Pet. 2:12)<br />
* (2 Pet. 2:22)<br />
* (Lk. 17:28-30)<br />
* (Rom. 1:23-28)<br />
* (Jude 7)<br />
* (Jude 23)<br />
* (Rev. 22:15)<br />
* (Jer. 6:15)<br />
* (I Timothy 4:2-4)<br />
<br />
==Sodom and homosexuality==<br />
''See also: [[Homosexuality and biblical interpretation#Genesis 19|Genesis 19]]'' <br />
<br />
Classical Jewish commentary consistently condemns homosexuality, yet comments on Sodom, though not abundant, most usually mention traditions which tell of the cruelty of Sodom to strangers, but not its manifestation in homosexual rape. However, Hellenistic Jewish philosopher Philo (20 BC - 50 AD) described the inhabitants of Sodom,<br />
<br />
"As men, being unable to bear discreetly a satiety of these things, get restive like cattle, and become stiff-necked, and discard the laws of nature, pursuing a great and intemperate indulgence of gluttony, and drinking, and unlawful connections; for not only did they go mad after other women, and defile the marriage bed of others, but also those who were men lusted after one another, doing unseemly things, and not regarding or respecting their common nature, and though eager for children, they were convicted by having only an abortive offspring; but the conviction produced no advantage, since they were overcome by violent desire; and so by degrees, the men became accustomed to be treated like women, and in this way engendered among themselves the disease of females, and intolerable evil; for they not only, as to effeminacy and delicacy, became like women in their persons, but they also made their souls most ignoble, corrupting in this way the whole race of men, as far as depended on them" [133-34; ET Jonge 422-23] (The Sodom tradition in Romans Biblical Theology Bulletin, Spring, 2004 by Philip F. Esler).<br />
<br />
In summarizing the Genesis 19 account, the Jewish historian Josephus also stated: <br />
<br />
“About this time the Sodomites grew proud, on account of their riches and great wealth; they became unjust towards men, and impious towards God, in so much that they did not call to mind the advantages they received from him: they hated strangers, and abused themselves with Sodomitical practices” “Now when the Sodomites saw the young men to be of beautiful countenances, and this to an extraordinary degree, and that they took up their lodgings with Lot, they resolved themselves to enjoy these beautiful boys by force and violence” (Antiquities 1.11.1 — circa A.D. 96). <br />
<br />
Other statements from the [[Pseudepigrapha]] are seen to testify likewise. <br />
<br />
Traditionally, most Christian scholars and commentators have seen homoeroticism as evidencing the extreme moral degradation of Sodom, and ultimately being causative of its judgment, with the destruction of Sodom being an eternal statement on God's view of [[homosexual]] relations. <br />
<br />
Concerning Jude 1:7, the noted but normally tempered commentator, Matthew Henry solemnly warns, <br />
<br />
...they were guilty of abominable wickedness, not to be named or thought of but with the utmost abhorrence and detestation; their ruin is a particular warning to all people to take heed of, and fly fRom. fleshly lusts that war against the soul, 1Pe_2:11. “These lusts consumed the Sodomites with fire from heaven, and they are now suffering the vengeance of eternal fire; therefore take heed, imitate not their sins, lest the same plagues overtake you as did them. God is the same holy, just, pure Being now as then; and can the beastly pleasures of a moment make amends for your suffering the vengeance of eternal fire? Stand in awe, therefore, and sin not,” Psa_4:4.<br />
<br />
Likewise John Gill comments, <br />
<br />
...and going after strange flesh; or "other flesh"; meaning not other women besides their own wives, but men; and designs that detestable and unnatural sin, which, from these people, is called sodomy to this day; and which is an exceeding great sin, contrary to the light of nature and law of God, dishonourable to human nature, and scandalous to a nation and people, and commonly prevails where idolatry and infidelity do,...<br />
<br />
Also, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown:<br />
<br />
...going after strange flesh — departing from the course of nature, and going after that which is unnatural. In later times the most enlightened heathen nations indulged in the sin of Sodom without compunction or shame.<br />
<br />
Archibald Thomas Robertson adds, <br />
<br />
Strange flesh (sarkos heteras). Horrible licentiousness, not simply with women not their wives or in other nations, but even unnatural uses (Rom_1:27) for which the very word “sodomy” is used (Gen_19:4-11). <br />
<br />
In contrast, pro homosexual apologists most typically contend that the sin of Sodom in Gn. 19 was non-sexual inhospitality,<ref>Bailey, Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition', p. 8; McNeil, The Church and the Homosexual, p. 50; Boswell, Christianity, social tolerance, and homosexuality, pp 93-94</ref> and which polemic primarily focuses upon the Hebrew word for ''know'' in Gn. 19:5 (and synginomai the Greek [[Septuagint]]) and the attribution of non-sexual sins in Ezekiel 16:49 and Matthew 11:20-24. Traditionalists counter that sound [[Bible exegesis]] best evidences that Lot's countrymen (the Sodomites) sought sex.<ref>[http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5702 Gregory Koukl, What was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?]</ref><ref>[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/480 Dave Miller, Sodom—Inhospitality or Homosexuality?]</ref> This is based upon the use of "know in Gn. 19:8 and its 14 other occurrences in the O.T.(and synginomai in Gn. 39:10 and in the Apocrypha and other literature) for sex, as well as the parallel story of Judges 19, and the specific attribution of sexual sins to Sodom and its region in Jude 1:7, concluding in a perverse manner of such.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=ZXAVf8m_HKgC&pg=PA37&lpg=PA37&dq=early+christian+writings+on+homosexuality&source=bl&ots=ZjVFV3k7Fe&sig=75PdqP0qrE9AeeJxBSlcfhG0hdE&hl=en&ei=ljkbSu7xF4S0MJCchY8P&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=19#PPA36,M1 Homosexuality, by James B. DeYoung, pp. 32-39, 118-122]</ref> <br />
<br />
===Sodom in Isaiah and Jeremiah (False religion)===<br />
<br />
Rulers in Israel are addressed as heads of Sodom and Gomorrah in Isaiah and Jeremiah due their false worship, and the injustices and other aspects of immorality whichg resulted from it. (cf. Romans 1:16-32) <br />
<br />
:''Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.'' (Isaiah 1:10,11)<br />
<br />
False worship is also associated with Sodom and Gomorrah in Jeremiah,<br />
<br />
:''And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.'' (Jeremiah 23:13, 14)<br />
<br />
The prophets of Jerusalem reprove Israel for its widespread adultery, lying, and strengthening the hand of evildoers. This reference to supporting evildoers and remaining impenitent is seen as a most important Old Testament reference to Sodom, outside of Genesis.<br />
<br />
===Sodom in Ezekiel (Idleness, or affluence without charity)===<br />
<br />
Ezekiel 16:49, 50 similarly explain that the sins of Sodom were pride, materialism, haughtiness, and neglect of the poor and needy, and which the story of Lot exemplified. <br />
<br />
However, such a condition is usually concomitant with sexual sin, and is implicated in the fall of the [[Roman Empire]].<ref>(historian D. Earl), referenced by Young, Homosexuality, p. 153</ref> Ezekiel goes to state that the Sodomites committed abomination, with the Hebrew word used here being tow'ebah. In the Old Testament this word is normally used in connection with idol worship, such as in Deuteronomy 7:26, as well as other moral sins, including those of a sexual nature. (Lv.18:22; 26-27,29,30; 20:13; Dt. 23:18; 24:4 1Ki. 14:24; Ezek. 16:2258; 22:11; 33:26) <br />
<br />
===Sodom in the Gospels===<br />
<br />
In the gospels, Jesus sends His disciples out on a mission to preach his word, and to heal the sick, and cast out demons, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:11-15;&version=49; Matthew 10:5-15] and [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010:5-12;&version=49; Luke 10:1-12] and further instructs them, <br />
<br />
:''In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. (Mk. 6:10-12) <br />
<br />
This is understood by some as evidencing that the cause of Sodom's judgment was inhospitality.<ref>Bailey, Homosexuality and Western Tradition, pp. 1-28; McNeil, Church and the Homosexual, pp. 42-50; Boswell, Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, pp. 92-97</ref> Countering this it is pointed out that the reason Jesus codemned those cities was "because they repented not." (Mt. 11:20), which, as in the inhospitably of Sodom, was the roor cause of their rejection of the disciples of the Lord.<ref>[http://homosexvsthebible.wikia.com/wiki/Homosexual_relations_and_the_Bible#Ezekiel_16:49_and_inhospitality_texts Homosexual relations and the Bible]</ref><br />
<br />
===Sodom in Jude===<br />
<br />
The most explicit reference to Sodom in the New Testament is found in the short book of Jude, in which one aspect has seen some varied interpretations. <br />
<br />
:''I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.'' - Jude 5 -7 {KJV)<br />
<br />
This section is part of a discourse warning of [[apostasy]], in which contemporary examples of those who are acting in rebellion to truth are likened to past examples, from Israelites who were faithless and disobedient to God, to angels who left their ordained position in rebellion against God, to Sodom and Gomorrah and like cities, who likewise acted in rebellion to God's order. While Sodom did not have the light the previous parties were given, as they were pagan Canaanites, pagan rebellion is detailed in [[Roman 1]], in which many iniquities are named as the result of rejection of truth which God has given by way of creation. <br />
<br />
The part of verse 7 which commentators have found intriguing is "going after strange flesh". Pro homosexual writers seek to disallow its meaning as referring to homosexual relations, pointing out that the word for "strange" usually means ''another'' or ''other'', and contend that if it was sexual, then it referred attempted sex with angels. However, countering this is the traditionalist argument which points out that the wickedness of Sodom was regional, and that no distinction is indicated that only Sodom was going after strange flesh. Genesis 18 reveals that the angels appearance as men was in order to find out whether the cry of Sodomy was true, and it is certain that this cry was not that of seeking sex with angels. It is also understood that it would be unlikely that the Sodomites (or even Lot: Heb. 13:2) knew Lot's visitors men were angels. In addition, it is seen that the word for strange can easily mean that is which is unlawful or perverse, as in Rm. 7:3 or Gal. 1:6<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Homosex_versus_the_Bible.html#Jude Homosexual relations and the Bible, Jude 1:7]</ref> Dave Miller states this pertains to the indulgence of passions that are “contrary to nature” (Barnes, 1949, p. 393)—“a departure from the laws of nature in the impurities practiced” (Salmond, 1950, 22:7).<ref>Dave Miller, Ph.D. http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/480</ref> Gagnon provides six indications why "giving themselves over to fornication" alludes, at least in part, to attempted male-male intercourse.<ref>[http://www.robgagnon.net/RevCountryman.htm RESPONSE TO PROF. L. WILLIAM COUNTRYMAN’S REVIEW IN ANGLICAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW; On Careless Exegesis and Jude 7]</ref> After examining evidence for both positions, Thomas E. Schmidt states, "The first Christians undoubtedly connected the sin of Sodom to the sin of same-sex relations and used the name of city as a symbol for extreme sexual wrongdoing, including but not limited to same-sex relations.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=Zeotd-ylKtwC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=quotes+Straight+and+Narrow?+Compassion+and+Clarity+in+the+Homosexuality+Debate&source=web&ots=WOXT85Pbxk&sig=8W9pkL8rcJ_7PS6oXbZ1QQBWCxQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA97,M1 Straight & narrow? by Thomas E. Schmidt]</ref><br />
<br />
==Other References==<br />
<br />
<References/><br />
<br />
[[category:Biblical Places]]<br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
*[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Homosex_versus_the_Bible.html#Jude Homosexual relations and the Bible]</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Debate:What_does_Christianity_say_about_Pedosexuality%3F&diff=887968Debate:What does Christianity say about Pedosexuality?2011-07-10T16:51:42Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Category:Conservapedia Debates]]<br />
== What does Christianity say about sex with children? ==<br />
<br />
I know bible condems homosexuals to Death/Hell...<br />
<br />
Leviticus 20:13 - "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall :surely be put to death. Their blood guiltiness is upon them."<br />
<br />
I Corinthians 6:9 (NIV) - "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual :offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."<br />
<br />
...and therefore guessing that applies to all Sexual Perversions.<br />
But then, what would be the concenting age limit ? <br />
And, would the Death/Hell penalty apply to concenting children as well ? (for example a 10 year old boy and 8 year old girl having sex) <br />
--[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 12:51, 10 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Debate:What_does_Christianity_say_about_Pedosexuality%3F&diff=887967Debate:What does Christianity say about Pedosexuality?2011-07-10T16:48:46Z<p>Ne0Freedom: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Category:Conservapedia Debates]]== What does Christianity say about sex with children? ==<br />
<br />
I know bible condems homosexuals to Death/Hell...<br />
<br />
Leviticus 20:13 - "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall :surely be put to death. Their blood guiltiness is upon them."<br />
<br />
I Corinthians 6:9 (NIV) - "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual :offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."<br />
<br />
...and therefore guessing that applies to all Sexual Perversions.<br />
But then, what would be the concenting age limit ? <br />
And, would the Death/Hell penalty apply to concenting children as well ? (for example a 10 year old boy and 8 year old girl having sex) --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 12:48, 10 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Debate:What_does_Christianity_say_about_Pedosexuality%3F&diff=887966Debate:What does Christianity say about Pedosexuality?2011-07-10T16:47:19Z<p>Ne0Freedom: Created page with "Category:Conservapedia Debates= What does Christianity say about sex with children? = I know bible condems homosexuals to Death/Hell... Leviticus 20:13 - "If there is a man..."</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Category:Conservapedia Debates]]= What does Christianity say about sex with children? =<br />
<br />
I know bible condems homosexuals to Death/Hell...<br />
<br />
Leviticus 20:13 - "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall :surely be put to death. Their blood guiltiness is upon them."<br />
<br />
I Corinthians 6:9 (NIV) - "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual :offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."<br />
<br />
...and therefore guessing that applies to all Sexual Perversions.<br />
But then, what would be the concenting age limit ? <br />
And, would the Death/Hell penalty apply to concenting children as well ? (for example a 10 year old boy and 8 year old girl having sex) --[[User:Ne0Freedom|Free Your Mind]] 12:47, 10 July 2011 (EDT)</div>Ne0Freedomhttps://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User:Ne0Freedom&diff=887960User:Ne0Freedom2011-07-10T16:13:52Z<p>Ne0Freedom: Created page with "* [http://Collectiveconciousness.info Collective Conciousness] * [http://ethics.wikia.com Ethics Wikia]"</p>
<hr />
<div>* [http://Collectiveconciousness.info Collective Conciousness]<br />
* [http://ethics.wikia.com Ethics Wikia]</div>Ne0Freedom