Note: All the word-play is our work but the proper ordering of dialogues is done with the help of AI. We don't have any references here as these are merely output of years of study and engagement with varieties of resources. Finally, it is a peer-reviewed article and has been revised on basis of suggestions.
A Dialogue on Religious Understanding
On Jesus and Hindu Beliefs
Hindu: I am a Hindu. I too believe in Jesus and the
Bible.
Christian: Logically speaking, you are telling us
that your religion isn't logical? Because your opinion fails non-contradiction
test of logic. What do you precisely mean by saying you believe in Jesus? Do
you believe in Jesus' existence? Or also his teaching? And if you also claim to
believe the Bible then you are believing something that contradicts your own
belief at the same time! What makes you a Hindu doesn't make you an honest
follower of Jesus.
Hindu: We believe that Jesus was a great guru and
siddha purusha to us!
Christian: Are you telling us that He is the Only
Great Teacher and Siddha Purusha in the whole human history? That's because he
certainly claims to be the only perfect man!
On Religious Teachings
Hindu: We believe that Jesus also taught love,
forgiveness and kindness just as other did.
Christian: And you are doing vague association. Just
because Jesus taught love, forgiveness and kindness, that doesn't make him same
as others like Buddha, Muhammad, Krishna, Jain, Nanak, etc. Love, forgiveness,
etc. are God imputed moral conscience in humanity. But we must ask what sort of
love, forgiveness Jesus taught to settle the discussion!
On Divine Relations
Hindu: We believe Krishna is the Father of Jesus.
Christian: Are you trying to say that only through
Jesus, one can access to Krishna and in Jesus, Krishna manifested himself?
Because that's what Jesus actually did! He revealed us God the Father!
Hindu: Jesus didn't talk who God the Father was. But
Krishna hints in the Gita that he is the source and father. Wouldn't that
conclude Krishna as Jesus' Father?
Christian: Jesus repeatedly talked about God the
Father and his special relationship with him. God the Father repeatedly
verified Jesus' perfect mission. Jesus clearly taught that the Father is
manifested through him. Indeed, he showed God the Father! But Krishna never
talked about someone who would be coming to redeem humanity nor did Jesus
talked ever about his many past avatars! So, in none of the ways, Krishna could
be Jesus' Father.
On Religious Identity and Birth
Hindu: You know what? PK movie has a good question:
If God wanted me to be a Christian then I would have born in a Christian
family.
Christian: So the movie is basically trying to teach
that the same God is allowing us to born in different religious family which in
return giving us different knowledge of that God? So that God wants a person A
to be a Buddhist and believe in karma and non-existence as ultimate goal while
the same God wants another person B to be a Christian and believe in Christ for
the ultimate redemption? Such a God is more dangerous than a devil.
On Religious Unity
Hindu: Look my friend, All gods are same and one.
Christian: So basically you are telling us that there
is only one God because if two or more entities with same nature exists, then
that's actually one entity. From another perspective, if all gods are same and
one then none gods exist, because it violates laws of logic. Your Krishna
cannot be Jesus sacrificing himself for our sins and Yahweh cannot be Allah who
doesn't even have a son! Buddha cannot be Jesus who taught Nirvana but Jesus
taught eternal destination. It violates law of identity!
Hindu: But anyway! The Bible doesn't have advance
science.
Christian: Would you have then allowed your schools
and university to teach the Bible if it had advance science teachings in it?
Furthermore, why would you expect the Bible to teach advance science? You don't
even need any religion to do that. But what's your conclusion after observing
the advancing science? To think there isn't God? To think humans are nothing in
this universe? To think we have no purpose in this world? To think the world
merely came by chance? If so, then the Bible doesn't meet your expectations. The
Bible indeed is here to answer those questions. Point to be noted that many
great scientists and thinkers were more theists and even Christians who helped
develop modern science. And the Bible is there to direct us to the one who is
behind all these laws of nature.
On Multiple Paths
Hindu: Why couldn't be Jesus one of many gods or
avatars? That would sound much better!
Christian: Even we wish it could be the case! But
unfortunately, its just opposite! Why would Jesus bother to add himself in that
list of gurus, gods or avatars if he is to come again with same mission? Why
would Jesus come to teach again the same thing Buddha taught? Buddhists would
have spread Buddha's teaching all over the world before Jesus would even born!
Why would Jesus let Muhammad or Sai Baba to repeat the same teachings while
whatever he came to do, he already did and is now continued by himself through
us by empowerment of the Holy Spirit? That wouldn't sound much better but
weird!
On Karma and Salvation
Hindu: We have karma and reincarnation. We don't need
Jesus.
Christian: Well, that's fine. We respect your
decision. But just be sure to realize what karma and reincarnation really has
to offer you and test whether you really have a true hope to moksha. In Jesus,
you indeed get a new life in this very age, a transformation of spirit, mind
and body. You get a new heart that makes you a new man. And this is through
grace not karma. So, if you are capable to attain moksha by karma and
reincarnation then that's fine otherwise don't worry, Jesus is there for you!
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