Page 124 - Hinduism

composed." Unlike Christianity and Islam, which are historical religions, we cannot find a specific date or even a century or millennium when Hinduism began.
2) It is not a revealed religion. It has no single authority or book. "Veda" simply means "knowledge that was discerned by the Vedic seers." It is not a Theology or a belief system that everyone is required to acknowledge. A Hindu is free to question any or all of the scriptures. He does not cease being a Hindu for doing so. Hindu scripture is meant to be a guide.
3) Hinduism recognizes no prophet as having exclusive claim over religious truth. This is undoubtedly the greatest difference between Hinduism and revealed religions. A Hindu who believes in the existence of God (or Gods) is not required to acknowledge an intermediary as a prophet or as the chosen agent of God. Every Hindu man, woman and child has the same direct access to God through his or her own efforts.
4) Hinduism does not recognize claims of exclusivity or a clergy. Exclusivity divides the world into believers and non-believers, which Hinduism does not. As a result, Hinduism has no clergy to monitor and enforce belief.
5) The only "dogma" of Hinduism is freedom of choice and conscience. Hindu religious literature is concerned mainly with the knowledge and method necessary to learn the truth about God. Any
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