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Hinduism and Caste

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Caste-based discrimination and a birth-based hierarchy are not an intrinsic part of Hinduism and represent a failure to uphold Hinduism's essential, spiritual teaching of divinity inherent in all beings.In a recent report the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)asserted that the caste-based system in Hindu society is NOT part of essential Hindu belief,even though some ancient texts appear to support caste and birth-based hierarchies. They further note that NONE require labeling some persons as "untouchable." Many of the Hindu scriptures state that divinity is part of ALL people. Caste does not fit with the belief that we should respect the divinity in all persons. SEE:

http://www.hafsite.org/media/pr/not-cast-caste-big-picture-and-executive-summary?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MEMBER+ALERT+-+HAF+clarifies+purpose+of+...&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=Hinduism%3A+Not+Caste+in

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James said…
I'm no expert on Hinduism, but what I do know sugggests that it's fairly amorphic. To an extent this is true of all the great religions. Take Christianity: Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism represent only the tip of the iceberg when you start talking of the various forms which embody it. But I believe Hinduism may be even more diverse. HAF's position thus strikes me as a bit disingenuous. The caste system may not be central to HAF's take on Hinduism, but I frankly doubt all Hindu's would agree. Still, I've got to reassert my original caveat: I daren't be dogmatic. I think I know the general outlines of Hinduism, but I can't pretend to any degree of expertise.
March 28, 2011 at 10:38 PM
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