Read the article, an enjoyable Christian apology.
The part I found most interesting was a description of C.S. Lewis (best known as the author of the Narnia series).
“When C.S. Lewis was converted from atheism, he shopped around in the world’s religious supermarket and narrowed his choice down to Hinduism or Christianity. Religions are like soups, he said. Some, like consomme, are thin and clear (Unitarianism, Confucianism, modern Judaism); others, like minestrone, are thick and dark (paganism, “mystery religions”). Only Hinduism and Christianity are both “thin” (philosophical) and “thick” (sacramental and mysterious). But Hinduism is really two religions: “thick” for the masses, “thin” for the sages. Only Christianity is both.”
This notion that Hinduism is both “thick” and “thin” makes me wonder — what aspects of Hinduism were students like ourselves meant to cultivate? Looking at both the discussions and ceremonies that Dharma supports, I feel like college students practice an interesting soup, a blend of “thick” and “thin.”
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That’s a really interesting point, and I do agree with the analogy that Hinduism is more like two religions. The general Hindu population seems to have a different view of Hinduism than do scholars. Yet while this deterred C.S. Lewis, I find this aspect of Hinduism appealing; this is what makes Hinduism so personal. People of all ages and all walks of life can relate to Hinduism in their own way. A person’s understanding of Hinduism can become deeper over time. Saketh- you proposed that college students practice a blend of “thick” and “thin”; I too see these dynamics playing among the Dharma members.
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