Hinduism
According to Pew Research Center forecasts for 2020, there are more than 1.1 billion Hindus globally, and approximately 94% of them reside in India. Nepal and Bangladesh have the most significant Hindu populations outside India.
Each of the two major streams of Hinduism, Vaishnavism, and Shaivism, contains several sects.
COMPARISON BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND HINDUISM
1. Founder
Christianity: Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Hebrews 12:2)
Hinduism: No specific founder has been identified.
2. View about God
Christianity: Believe in One God made of 3 persons [Father, Son, Holy Spirit] (Isaiah 44:6, 1 John 5:7)
Hinduism: Most believe that all things/entities are God.
3. Views about human nature
Christianity: Human beings are prone to sin and are not good by nature and are inclined to do evil. Human beings need God to help them overcome their sinful tendencies (Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10)
Hinduism: It depends on the sect.
4. God’s role in salvation
Christianity: Only God is good and human beings are trapped in sin and cannot on their own free themselves. A person can overcome sin only through the help of God and this is why Jesus Christ came to the earth to save people from their sins (John 3:16, John 15, Matthew 1:21).
Hinduism: Beliefs vary depending on the sect. However, in general, the belief is that salvation is obtained through doing good deeds and avoiding wrongdoing.
5. Means of Salvation
Christianity: By grace through faith and the acceptance of the death of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Hinduism: Reach enlightenment by following the path of knowledge and by doing good deeds.
6. Life after death
Christianity: Death is regarded as a sleep until the day Jesus comes back and His true faithful followers are resurrected from the dead and taken to the heaven. The wicked are also resurrected, judged and burnt (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Daniel 12:2, John 11:11-14, John 5:28-29).
Hinduism: Life is a cycle of reincarnation.
7. Place of worship
Christianity: Church, home bible study groups
Hinduism: Temple (Mandir)
8. Day of worship
Christianity: Most worship on Sunday, however, the bible has indicated that the Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) is the true day of worship. Worship on Sabbath is done by few Christians [e.g. Seventh day Baptist, Church of God Seventh Day, Seventh Day Adventist] (Genesis 2:3, Isaiah 58:13, Acts 17:2, Ezekiel 20:20).
Hinduism: Orthodox sects prescribe prayer three times a day: dawn, afternoon and dusk.
9. Religious Law
Christianity: Mainly the Ten Commandments which represent love [Love God and others] (Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 13:10).
Hinduism: Dharma shastras
10.Views about other religions
Christianity: Christianity is the true religion/faith
Hinduism: All religions have some truth
11. Prophets
Christianity: Prophets are respected. Most of them are in the Old Testament.
Hinduism: No prophets
12. Use of images and statues
Christianity: The use is regarded as idolatry in the bible (Exodus 20:4-6, 1 John 5:21).
Hinduism: This is common
13. Religious Practices
Christianity: Worship, praying, reading the bible, acts of charity and attending church services.
Hinduism: Meditation, yagna (communal worship), yoga and making offerings in the temple.
14. Promised Holy One
Christianity: Jesus Christ will come back to earth again before the world ends (Acts 1:11).
Hinduism: Kalki, the 10’th avatar of Vishnu.
WHAT DID MAHATMA GANDHI SAY ABOUT JESUS?
Gandhi read the bible and it had an impact on him especially the teachings and the character of Jesus. He said the following about Him.
Mahatma Gandhi saw perfection in Jesus Christ and did not saw fault in His teachings, but saw fault in most Christians. It is true that few Christians faithfully follow the Christ. However, when it comes to religion, we should not look at the acts of the professed followers, but decide whether a religion is of God by looking at the religious teachings of the followers because not everyone takes their beliefs seriously.
References:
https://www.azquotes.com/author/5308-Mahatma_Gandhi/tag/jesus
https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/gandhi-and-christ-what-did-jesus-mean-to-gandhi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/when-gandhi-taught-the-bible/articleshow/62675711.cms