Edited by Chatgpt
When I read Ward’s comments comparing Hinduism with Christianity (see below), I thought, “Thank God he passed away without witnessing the Two World Wars, in which Christian nations engaged vigorously, and the subsequent wars in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Gaza genocide. And what next? What a poor understanding of religion!”
Ward goes on to say that Christianity’s benign influence has “raised many to that exalted state of moral excellence” (William Ward, A View of the History, Literature, and Mythology of the Hindoos, vol. III, London: Black Parbury and Allen. 1820a: 297), whereas if Hinduism were to prevail, the world would be steeped in darkness and sin:
Finally, let it be further considered, that it is only necessary for Hindooism to prevail universally, and the world becomes immediately covered with darkness, without a single ray of light; with vice, without a vestige of genuine morality… Let Christianity, on the contrary, be universally embraced, its spirit imbibed, and its precepts obeyed, and wars will cease to the ends of the earth – ignorance and superstition will be banished – injustice and oppression removed – jails, chains, and gibbets, rendered unnecessary – pure morality, flowing from the religion of the heart, will diffuse universal happiness, and earth become the vestibule of heaven. (ibid. 297) — Sharada Sugirtharajah, *Imagining Hinduism: A Postcolonial Perspective*, Special Indian Edition, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, (2003) 2017, p. 84
Ward constructs an exalted and idealized image of Christianity, contrasting it with his negative image of Hinduism. Christianity’s involvement with slavery, the burning of witches, and oppressive patriarchal traditions are conveniently overlooked. The differences between Hinduism and Christianity, as Ward perceives them, are essentialized, dramatized, and manipulated in such a way that Christianity’s moral and absolute superiority is maintained. — ibid. p. 89
Indeed, Ward’s perspective from 1820 reflects a certain bias and idealization of Christianity while overlooking its darker aspects. The atrocities committed in the name of religion, including Christianity, cannot be denied. History is rife with examples of violence, oppression, and injustice carried out under the guise of religious superiority.
The truth is that throughout history, religion has often been used as a tool for power, control, and domination. More people have been killed in religious wars than in conflicts over purely political or economic reasons. This grim reality highlights the propensity of humanity to distort and pervert religious teachings for their own agendas.
It’s essential to acknowledge the faults and failures of religious institutions and their followers while striving for a more inclusive and compassionate interpretation of faith. True spirituality should inspire peace, empathy, and understanding, rather than division and violence.
Anything that invented by men for his greed have done more damage to humanity than any single creation by God.
As I was reading the comments by Ward I wrote this song [BT 940]
Revised on 4-6-2024
Gurukulam
Edited by Chatgpt
When I read Ward’s comments comparing Hinduism with Christianity (see below), I thought, “Thank God he passed away without witnessing the Two World Wars, in which Christian nations engaged vigorously, and the subsequent wars in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Gaza genocide. And what next? What a poor understanding of religion!”
Ward goes on to say that Christianity’s benign influence has “raised many to that exalted state of moral excellence” (William Ward, A View of the History, Literature, and Mythology of the Hindoos, vol. III, London: Black Parbury and Allen. 1820a: 297), whereas if Hinduism were to prevail, the world would be steeped in darkness and sin:
Finally, let it be further considered, that it is only necessary for Hindooism to prevail universally, and the world becomes immediately covered with darkness, without a single ray of light; with vice, without a vestige of genuine morality… Let Christianity, on the contrary, be universally embraced, its spirit imbibed, and its precepts obeyed, and wars will cease to the ends of the earth – ignorance and superstition will be banished – injustice and oppression removed – jails, chains, and gibbets, rendered unnecessary – pure morality, flowing from the religion of the heart, will diffuse universal happiness, and earth become the vestibule of heaven. (ibid. 297) — Sharada Sugirtharajah, *Imagining Hinduism: A Postcolonial Perspective*, Special Indian Edition, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, (2003) 2017, p. 84
Ward constructs an exalted and idealized image of Christianity, contrasting it with his negative image of Hinduism. Christianity’s involvement with slavery, the burning of witches, and oppressive patriarchal traditions are conveniently overlooked. The differences between Hinduism and Christianity, as Ward perceives them, are essentialized, dramatized, and manipulated in such a way that Christianity’s moral and absolute superiority is maintained. — ibid. p. 89
Indeed, Ward’s perspective from 1820 reflects a certain bias and idealization of Christianity while overlooking its darker aspects. The atrocities committed in the name of religion, including Christianity, cannot be denied. History is rife with examples of violence, oppression, and injustice carried out under the guise of religious superiority.
The truth is that throughout history, religion has often been used as a tool for power, control, and domination. More people have been killed in religious wars than in conflicts over purely political or economic reasons. This grim reality highlights the propensity of humanity to distort and pervert religious teachings for their own agendas.
It’s essential to acknowledge the faults and failures of religious institutions and their followers while striving for a more inclusive and compassionate interpretation of faith. True spirituality should inspire peace, empathy, and understanding, rather than division and violence.
Anything that invented by men for his greed have done more damage to humanity than any single creation by God.
As I was reading the comments by Ward I wrote this song [BT 940]
Revised on 4-6-2024
Gurukulam
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