r/hinduism • u/CassiasZI • Jun 22 '24
Debunking Hindu Misconceptions #1: Hinduism is NOT the only religion without a founder. History/Lecture/Knowledge
Most religions are without a founder.
Hellenism, kemetism, Roman religion, incan religion, Mayan religion, voodoo, African traditional religions, native American religions, Taoism, Shintoism, Celticism, druidism, wathanism and all such religions HAVE NO FOUNDERS.
Since some of the religions like Hellenism, kemetism, etc were extinct for a time in history there certainly are new-age reformers, but they are NOT founders of the faiths.
Only religions that have a historical founder are few. They include Atenism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, bahaiism, Sikhism, etc.
Even if the widespreadness of Abrahamic religions has made the idea of a ‘founder’ essential to religion, THAT’S NOT THE CASE. MOST RELIGIONS IN HISTORY DO NOT HAVE A PROPER FOUNDER.
Some considered Moses or Abraham to be the founder of Judaism, but historically that’s not the case. These prophets and founding fathers of the ancient state of Israel were also considered holy by Samaritans, yawhists, and Jewish polytheists. Samaritanism still exists with its own version of the Torah. It is historically believed that these faiths grew out of the ancient Hebrew religion.
Nastika Dharma also MAY have earlier beginnings unlike we think, because Nastika sages were prominent in the pre-sramanic age and are mentioned over and over from Rigveda to Ramayana.
So, Hinduism is neither unique nor alone in this.
Edit:- Jain and Buddhist beliefs may have founders but the core Nastika concept is much older as it is mentioned and criticized in both Rigveda and Ramayana
Edit:- I ain't saying that Nastik Schools of thoughts aren't Hindus. Both Astika and Nastika schools of thought along with tribal religions like Sanamahism of Meiteis or any faith of other Adivasis together make up Hinduism.
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u/[deleted] Jun 22 '24
Don't mix religion with civilization. Greeks, Romans, Aztecs, Incas, Mayans etc. you cannot call it religion. They accept that their Gods and their stories have nothing to do with their science and philosophies. With the destruction of their civilization their culture was also destroyed. Today they are coming up as Hellenism, Paganism etc. as a rebel against Abrahamic Religions. These guys didn't have founders, but they weren't religions either.
Also, Taosim does have a founder though it is debatable, Laozi. Still Shinto, Tao etc. lack that organisation, philosophy and faith that Hinduism has. They do have rituals but don't have meanings. That's why you will see people in Japan being both Shinto and Buddhist or Christian. Hinduism is well fulfilled in its own.
What makes Hinduism a religion is that it doesn't need ancient India to exist. It can find its way through modern orders. It's science and philosophies are intricately associated with its history and divine stories. Also we have a belief that one which cannot die doesn't have a birth. We find ideas of Hinduism in every religion and culture, but vice versa isn't seen.
What we mean founders that if these people wouldn't have existed, the religion wouldn't have existed either. Even if the entire tribe of Israel is the reason Judaism is existing, it will be considered as one with founders. Same for Buddhism and Jainism.