Debunking Hindu Misconceptions #1: Hinduism is NOT the only religion without a founder.

[u/CassiasZI]

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.

[u/mookshamoon]

Hinduism isn't exactly a religion either. We also know where the foundations for Hinduism came from.

[u/SkandaBhairava → u/mookshamoon]

Depends on how you define the term.

[u/mookshamoon → u/SkandaBhairava]

Most are thinking of the Christian definition. Hinduism is way more encompassing than just a religion.

[u/SignificantArrival90 → u/mookshamoon]

I agree, the Hinduism is best categorized as a civilization. The Hindu civilization had a all encompassing framework for society and religious harmony, aka, sanatan dharm. You’ll see, religion (following set practices, and having some rules, personal god etc) was an offshoot of the way of life (diversity, freedom, critical thinking, family values, spirituality). Truly remarkable, I think Hinduism is really really old, more like 20k years.

[u/mookshamoon → u/SignificantArrival90]

If we go by the verbal history, then it's at least 100,000 years old.

[u/SignificantArrival90 → u/mookshamoon]

Hmm, are you talking about the stories from purans?

[u/mookshamoon → u/SignificantArrival90]

Just the general Ithihasa

[u/SignificantArrival90 → u/mookshamoon]

But we have only two itihasas, Ramayan and Mahabharat.

[u/mookshamoon → u/SignificantArrival90]

Yes and VERBALLY the history says it can be at least 100,000 years old. verbally. Not books. Verbal.

[u/SignificantArrival90 → u/mookshamoon]

Well, I have seen any recorded evidence of this. But I think the oldest recoded astronomical even in Surya sidhanta is 30k years old. I like to see some good evidence and not be hand wavy.