The Fastest Growing Religion

[Madhuri]

Although Hinduism is still a very tiny minority in Australia, as of last year it is the fastest growing religion in this country. According to the info on Wikipedia the fastest growing religions in Aus are as follows:

Hinduism by 55.1 percent, Non-religion by 27.5 percent, Islam by 20.9 percent, Buddhist affiliation increased by 17 percent, and Judaism by 6 percent. Christianity was the only religion to show negative growth, with the number of followers falling by 0.6 percent.

[Maya3]

That is really interesting.

Is that because you have more Indian immigrants, or are Australians becoming interested in Hinduism?
It is pretty significant that Christianity has negative growth.


Maya

[Madhuri]

I have no idea Maya but I'm guessing mostly with more Indian immigrants.

[URAVIP2ME]

Originally Posted by Maya3

It is pretty significant that Christianity has negative growth.
Maya

Significant because those 'so-called Christians' [Christian in name only] are 'religious waters' that are drying up spiritually.
[Matthew chapter 7; Revelation 17 vs 1,15]

[DeviChaaya]

Here's hoping more of our brethren in Oz decide that Hinduism is the most attractive and truthful path! It'd be awesome to have some more converts to talk to. (Not that I don't love my Indian brothers and sisters but sometimes you need other converts to talk to!)

[apophenia]

Statistics always need to be questioned. I recently read that the fastest growing religion in Australia is 'Jedi Knight'. That is an outcome of the design of the census forms, which at one stage did not allow for 'no religion', then allowed people to specify one under 'other'. And Aussies being larrikins, Jedi became a popular option.

Also, many people claim affiliation for a religion based on their parents church of choice, even if they themselves practice no religion.

As for hindus, didn't Krishna recommend abandoning all forms of religion ? LOL. No offence meant, I've read Bhagavad Gita for over 40 years and appreciate it more now than when I was young, even though I had religious tendencies then, which I don't have now.

[Shuddhasattva]

Originally Posted by apophenia

As for hindus, didn't Krishna recommend abandoning all forms of religion ? LOL. No offence meant, I've read Bhagavad Gita for over 40 years and appreciate it more now than when I was young, even though I had religious tendencies then, which I don't have now.

Namaste

1. The Bhagavad Gita is considered by most to be Smriti; it is not as authoritative as the Vedas or the Vedic Upanishads.

2. This verse (18.66) doesn't mean Hindus should abandon religion, surrender to Krishna is the crown of the religion rendering everything else obsolete - that is what is meant, at least in its face-meaning. Commentators have rendered the meaning many ways.


Namaste

[apophenia]

Originally Posted by Shuddhasattva

Namaste

1. The Bhagavad Gita is considered by most to be Smriti; it is not as authoritative as the Vedas or the Vedic Upanishads.

2. This verse (18.66) doesn't mean Hindus should abandon religion, surrender to Krishna is the crown of the religion rendering everything else obsolete - that is what is meant, at least in its face-meaning. Commentators have rendered the meaning many ways.


Namaste

As I understand it the verse is saying that the goal is direct unmediated self-realization, not merely the external and internal affectations of religious thought and activity.

I don't think the authors of the Gita were hoping to undermine religion, which is why the LOL in my post.I think the sutra is similar to Buddha stating that you cannot satisfy hunger with the picture of a cake. The concept must be surrendered for the non-conceptual reality to be experienced.

Namaste

[Shuddhasattva]

Namaste

I like the meaning you have rendered.