Hinduism: One of the World's Oldest Religions

The Hindu people have many religions that are classified under one term called Hinduism, and is considered one of the world's oldest religions. Hinduism was started in India, by many different civilizations. Hinduism may lack a unified system of beliefs; however, the underlining cultural belief remains the same. The worship may be different but there is a unity within the Hinduism culture. (Vidya) "There are five elements that contribute to the essential unity of Hinduism: common ideals, common scriptures, common deities, common beliefs, and common practices."

There are several misconceptions regarding the Hindu people because Hinduism is unlike any other religion that exists. Hinduism is often referred to as a way of like versus a religion. Over time, six different schools of Hinduism have formed, which are Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, and Vedanta. Under these schools all the Hindu people strive to maintain a peaceful way of life, which relies on karma and reincarnation.

Hinduism is one of the only religions that answer the life long question of why individuals live different statuses throughout life. Throughout the world there are rich, poor, sick, and healthy people. Hinduism explains that this is not because of a supreme being deciding one's stature in life, however; that one is what he or she is because of his or her past. Each person holds the key to his or her own future whether it is in this lifetime or another.

Hinduism does not believe in a Hell or Heaven like most religions. There is no unknown destination that one desires to obtain access through by living a decent life or maintaining a certain belief. There is an ultimate Supreme Being of the Hindu religion, but the Supreme Being has infinite numbers of personalities, manifestations, expressions, and forms. With this stated, that is why the Hindu religion worship almost everything around them. The Hindu people do not consider this idol worshiping, but worshipping their God in his many different forms.