I still remember the uproar created (including media) when L.K.Advani said that Hindutva is not a religion but a way of life. They twisted and turned the meaning and tossed banters across "pundits" and "politicians". Any sensible dweller in hinduism outrightedly appreciate Advani's boldness and frankness. After all we cannot claim Hindutva as a religion. It is a way of life... some generally accepted religious principles (GARP!! :P).
Unlike some other religions, Hinduism is never binding nor enforcing. Atleast from the vedas there is no way in which one can be converted into a Hindu. He is a born Hindu. There is no way that you can restrict definition 'Hindus' to followers of few Gods. There are many. The Vedas mention about 3 crore Gods present in this Holy land. It does not even bind saying a Hindu should believe in God. Hinduism is the only 'religion' which can have non-believers of God (nasthik) as patrons. Then if we have non-believers in God, then how can Hindutva be a religion? An accepted definition of religion is 'an institution to express belief in divine power'. So if an institution accepts people without any belief then it cannot be a religion in strict sense.
Does that mean the Hindutva way is just a life style rather than a tradition? I think so. It can also be considered a highly evolved religion. It is a more tolerant religion, where there is a tolerance even towards the non-believers, other religions, off shoots of hindu based religions and an ever increasing list of Gods and saints. If we dont accept this definition, then we do not have an explanation for one religion being so tolerant towards others, while by definition religion means propogating ones Gods?
How do a religion reach a higher stage of maturity? Because, it gives the flexibility for its patrons to execute the day to day work without much interference. It does not dictate which job to do, whom to trade with, what to trade, what to eat, how to live, when to seek God, when to visit temple. Though a few norms exists there are well defined work arounds for each of these. This gives the flexibility of following the rules normally or seek the help of work arounds when needed. In case of hindutva: if a Brahmin is forbidden eating meat, there are enough examples of sages killing and eating. If there is a rule forbidding eating or drinking certain things, there are enough venerable examples to take an alternate view. If someone looses his identity/caste/religion by travelling the seas, there is a way in which a prayer can be offered and get back lost identity. My general observation is that wherever this kind of flexibility exists, religions became more tolerant. To quote a few examples, Christianity is more tolerant and thrives even today compared to Judaism, though both are based on same principles. Buddhism survived in other parts of the world as it was twisted and made flexible, while here in India it is diminished because of its rigidness.
Why I write this? Today I see a video on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeCdIfkSbzE . This video protrays an Islamic priest claiming intolerance and hatred are the best way to cleanse the world. The video shows how some followers try to spread and tarnish an entire religion. Islam was born as a tolerant alternative to the brutal and violent christianity that existed in 500AD. People needed a more tolerant and peaceful religion and thats what the Prophet has advised. But soon with the Islamic wars (with the then dominance of christianity) at peak, they have manipulated the definition of the religion, as a means of propogating hatred and violence. Over the ages, Christianity became a more peaceful and friendly religion but some Islamic views are still lingering in the medivial times. I am surprised, that to this day in some lands Mullah's and so called religious guardians preach to treat, women as mere objects of pleasure and use, than humans. It is likely impossible that such a view carries weight or deserves audience in this age except for some brute force method of making people accept. This anarchaic rules will slowly and eventually fade away. If this doesnt happen people start avoiding such religions and they surely have to meet with obsolescence.
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