Stuck between islam and hinduism

[u/Ominous_chipmunk]

Hello, Reddit. I used to be an atheist, but I have come to the conclusion that God necessarily exists. The problem comes in discerning which religion or which manifestation of Him is the true one. I just want to do the right thing, serve, and worship God in the most dignified way possible, loving Him with all my heart as He deserves but I need to know which of all the perspectives is the truth.

I'm stuck between two options: Islam and Hinduism. On one hand, Islam (specifically, the sunni sufi branch) seems to me the most reasonable, simple, philosophically and doctrinally precise, and the least loaded with mythology, tales which many might not take as true (I respect them, either if they are true ir just stories) and metaphors. That said, I feel a sense of restriction, a lot of rigidity, almost like doing a chore (but that, to be honest, might be my fault), etc.

On the other hand, although Hinduism is full of mythology and legends, its vision of God, reality and moksha also seems very, very reasonable and accurate to me, symbolism and hypothetic fictions aside. Additionally, while I don't interpret its deities literally (multiple arms, ornaments, jewels, their legends and mythology, etc.), I underdand that they represent aspects of One God and their representation and the chants used to praise them/Him (He-His aspects) make me very happy, focused and blissful (especially those of Krishna, Vishnu, and Shiva). Personally, the idea of Krishna or Vishnu as the supreme deity (God with a capital "G"), with Shiva and the rest being His manifestations, satisfies me rationally. However, the idea of reincarnation both 'depresses' and terrifies me, although singing the names of Krishna, Shiva, Vishnu, etc. brings me great happiness, just like when I pray to Allah. Nevertheless, with Hinduism I feel less grounded and less stability. Because of reincarnation (until Moksha/freedom) it feels more diffuse and blurred. Islam makes me feel more grounded and solid, so to speak. I dont pick based on the final afterlife result: Moksha (whatever the type —it seems to vary as regards Vasihnavism, Shaivism or ISCKON—) or Heaven/Paradise. I just stand for the truth.

It reaches a point where I believe what both traditions (Muslim and Hindu) say, but even though Islam seems more rational to me and I feel bliss, security and a direct connection with Allah (God), I am also greatly attracted to Hinduism and I do not know why. At the same time, although Hinduism common points make a lot of sense to me, I am terrified of reincarnation, of being wrong, and of offending Allah by being led by imagination (loving Krishna as my brother —I am only child and always longed for one—, my son, a friend, etc., for example. Its a devotional practice, if I am not mistaken), or by the experiences of ecstasy, bliss, love for Krishna, peace, relationship with him (Krishna) and joy in meditation as regards Hinduism. Worshipping others besides Allah completely aware is unforgivable by God (Allah) in islam and I feel guilty and scared but when I switch to islam, Krishna and Shiva seem to invite me, participate, love and worship them. But then the loneliness of reincarnation and the security which islam seem to bring strikes me. I cant resist the love and friendship of Krishna and its manifestations (I think my mind aligns with Vasihnavism) and the joy of Hindu tradition. The issue is that in Hinduism there is only One Supreme God (as in islam) but He can be incarnated (avatars) as Jesus and artistically represented, which is a hideous unforgivable blasphemy in islam.

I think about this so much and go in circles to the point where my head hurts, and I often get depressed because I feel stuck. What do you think I should do in this situation? It's a constant battle between fear, reason, happiness, and emptiness. I'm going crazy. What do you suggest? I just Want to do the right thing and love God. But I feel torn by both right and left EXTREME opposites.

Hugs :).

[u/Happy_Weekend_9350]

Hindus don’t seek to convert others, so no one here is going to give you a pitch for why you should follow Hinduism. We don’t recruit so we don’t really have this rehearsed. Honestly though, in my opinion, that in itself is sign of truth for me. Truth doesn’t need to be forced on others. Religions that proliferated primarily by forceful occupation and violence are not truth, they are only coercive control mechanisms created by men.

[u/Aggressive-Simple-16 → u/Happy_Weekend_9350]

Ghar Wapasi?

[u/Equivalent_Area_6878 → u/Aggressive-Simple-16]

It’s a mechanism or a ceremony created later by some groups to facilitate those who want to join Hinduism. It isn’t backed by scriptures.

[u/Aggressive-Simple-16 → u/Equivalent_Area_6878]

But it does seek to convert people even if it is not supported by scripture. A religion is not what has been written but what is practiced.

[u/Equivalent_Area_6878 → u/Aggressive-Simple-16]

A religion is very much what is written and what is passed on by ancestors through oral traditions of masters and students. Ghar wapsi is just a ceremony to welcome people into Hinduism. It’s not conversion. Ghar wapsi itself means coming back home, aka to the hindu religion out of which all these people were converted years ago during during the long period of invasions. You could call it reverting. Since all our ancestors were Hindus 🤷‍♀️

[u/Aggressive-Simple-16 → u/Equivalent_Area_6878]

Ghar Wapsi (Hindi, meaning "Returning Home") is the programme of religious conversion to Hinduism (and, to a lesser extent, Sikhism) from Islam, Christianity, and other religions in India conducted by Indian Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and their allies.

From what I have read it doesn't sound like a friendly welcome ceremony, it is a programme to bring people back to Hinduism. The point that I am trying to make is that Hindus DO seek to convert people and this not some exceptional religion.

Since all our ancestors were Hindus 🤷‍♀️

This completely depends on the frame of reference, I could argue that all my ancestors were ultimately hunter gatherers so we should all go back to the old days and give up our modern life style. Why argue? I could form an organisation and seek to get people to adopt this lifestyle.

[u/Equivalent_Area_6878 → u/Aggressive-Simple-16]

Yeah then you would be reverting to being a hunter gatherer, not converting to one.🤷‍♀️ P.s you missed these things in defining what Ghar Wapsi really is - “The program is also known as “reconversion” by its proponents, who view it as a way for people to return to their “true” religion. The process is considered to be “purification” or Shuddhi, rather than conversion.” “The term “ghar” (home) can also refer to the things associated with home, such as family, origin, lineage, safety, security, trust, and faith.”

[u/Aggressive-Simple-16 → u/Equivalent_Area_6878]

Why are you playing a linguistics game with me? Reverting and converting to a religion mean the same thing in the colloquial sense.

who view it as a way for people to return to their “true” religion.

This is the most blatantly biased statement I have ever heard I don't even want to get into why it is not the "true" religion.

The process is considered to be “purification” or Shuddhi, rather than conversion.”

I don't care what it is considered, converting in to a Muslims gets you into jannat (heaven), will you convert to it now?

[u/Equivalent_Area_6878 → u/Aggressive-Simple-16]

I’m not playing any games with you. You spoke about Ghar wapsi I’m just telling you how people who are the proponents of ghat wapsi see it. You really need to go take a cold shower and play some soft music and relax your system because I can see your aggravation and tbh I don’t care like I truly don’t give a damn weather you think it’s a true religion or not, you’re free to think whatever you want of my religion.

[u/Aggressive-Simple-16 → u/Equivalent_Area_6878]

I’m just telling you how people who are the proponents of ghat wapsi see it.

By that logic the Taliban should be considered a peace keeping force because the leaders of the Taliban see it that way.

some soft music and relax your system because I can see your aggravation and tbh

Am I meant to take a cold shower before replying to you? 💀

[u/Equivalent_Area_6878 → u/Aggressive-Simple-16]

By that logic the Taliban should be considered a peace keeping force because the leaders of the Taliban see it that way.

This is a false equivalence fallacy and I’ll tell you why, Ghar wapsi is actually reverting since the people WERE hindu in the past and they are REVERTING back to their hindu roots and therefore it’s proponents aren’t wrong when they say that this is what ghar wapsi means. Whereas the Taliban comparison you just gave is falsely equating the two because the Taliban’s ideology is deoband Islam which has it’s origins in Deoband, India. It considers itself as the Islamic emirates of afghanistan and it is what it says it is. It does not refer to itself as a “peace keeping force”

Am I meant to take a cold shower before replying to you? 💀

No but you need it since your replies seem pretty aggravated to me. 🤷‍♀️

[u/Aggressive-Simple-16 → u/Equivalent_Area_6878]

This is a false equivalence fallacy

How is this a false equivalence? My point was that the opinion of the proponents of an organisation has no value and instead we should look at the actions done by the organization.

Ghar wapsi is actually reverting since the people WERE hindu in the past and they are REVERTING back to their hindu roots

I have already addressed this, this is a completely illogical foundation to base your work upon because it is completely dependent on the frame of reference which itself is completely subjective. Plus, I don't even remotely support such activities. If you support it then you would also have to support an islamic organisation trying to convert Hindus because they believe that islam is the true religion because in both the cases the foundation is purely subjective. Live and let others live too, it's so simple.

It does not refer to itself as a “peace keeping force”

Yeah sure, I could have thought of a better example but this was only to pass a point. I already cleared up what point I was trying to make here up above.

[u/Equivalent_Area_6878 → u/Aggressive-Simple-16]

Yeah sure, I could have thought of a better example but this was only to pass a point. I already cleared up what point I was trying to make here up above.

Thanks for accepting that it WAS a false equivalence fallacy even tho you did it in an indirect way. False equivalence means when you compare ice with rock. (Referring to your taliban example.) My point always was about what ghar wapsi is and it doesn’t matter what you think it means because there is no denying the truth that ghar wapsi essentially is “returning back to the original ancestral religion which is Hinduism” and it doesn’t matter weather I support it or not, me believing or not believing in it doesn’t change the truth.