The Facts on Hinduism in America (The Anker Series) [Paperback]

John Ankerberg (Author), John Weldon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1991 | Series: The Anker Series

Hinduism, the Eastern religion at the root of much New Age teaching in America, is a maze of abstract philosophies & occult practices. This book answers critical questions: What is Hinduism? Do Yoga and meditation open the door to demonic influence? Is Hindu "enlightenment" something to be sought? What does Hinduism teach about the value of human life? What is reincarnation? It demonstrates the fundamental differences between Hinduism & Christianity & exposes the dangers of Hindu practice.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Pub (August 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890819149
• ISBN-13: 978-0890819142
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 3.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,041,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Booklet to develop mass hysteria against Hindu Culture!!, July 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Facts on Hinduism in America (The Anker Series) (Paperback)

In the preface of this 48 pages booklet, authors state that this booklet is to evaluate teachings of gurus in USA but this booklet ended up with a very critical, totally one-sided, condemnation of Hindu culture. Amazing to see authors repeatedly using metaphors such as "conflicting", "contradictory" "occult" "immoral" to describe every Hindu scripture, philosophy, ritual and practice. This booklet was written with clear cut motive to belittle Hinduism - the TRUE CULTURE OF INDIA. This booklet very selectively misquoted even Hindu authors to make their points. Alas! not even one good word about Hindu culture! How can anyone forget its contribution to the world such as metric system, Arabic numerals etc. India was a very prosperous nation in ancient times. That is why Columbus sailed to India. Columbus did not sail to see America, but prosperous Hindu India!!!!!! West as well as Holy Bible did not have a clue a! bout America until Columbus stumbled upon it, on his was to India. Hope authors have studied world history.

Little the authors know that TRUE Hinduism in USA and Canada is seen in the Hindu temples constructed by Indian professionals built with their own hard earned money to teach their young ones all about Hindu culture. In those institutions,[ just like Jews teach children about their culture in synagogues], Hindu children learn Hindu dances, Hindu classical music, Indian history, art and architecture apart from Hindu scriptures. Those institutions are not used to convert anyone to Hinduism. In fact, Hindus DO NOT convert anyone to Hinduism. These institutions do not even invite others to come and participate in temple ceremonies.

On page-7th of the very first chapter authors state, Hinduism is a religion based on mythology----That summation is totally wrong. Hinduism is a religion based on six philosophies like platonic philosophy of Greece. Mythology is a pa! rt of Hinduism, like Ayurveda [Hindu medicine], Jyothisha [! astronomy and astrology], Chahandas [measurements], Nirukta [ Etymology] Vyakarana [ grammar] Archary [Hindu art of fighting] etc.

Authors state Vedas as "conflicting and contradictory" without showing any proof of that. Authors who can quote hundreds verses from the Holy Bible, seldom quote a Hindu scripture!!!! Anyway since Hinduism never persecuted any one for writing a book or preaching a different philosophy, it is full of ideas and concepts; Whereas the Christian church since its birth had killed any author who wrote or preach against church's adapted teachings through out history. May be authors need history lessons about BISHOP ARIUS [ who was thrown out since he preached against Trinity doctrine] WILLIAM TYNDALE [ who was crucified since church did not like his very first English translation of the Holy Bible. ] and about MARTIN LUTHER [ who stood against the tyranny of Pope]. Authors see Vedas having spritistic inspiration [page-8] not divine inspir! ed. It is funny to see authors see Bible as God-inspired but due to their limited vision they see Vedas as spirit inspired!!All of you out there, who read this booklet, this one sided tirade against Hindu culture also should read another international best seller AM I A HINDU? to get another side of the whole story. This book is highly recommended for all libraries by LIBRARY JOURNAL and BOOKLIST magazines.

On page-10 they wrote basic philosophy of Hinduism can be described as NIHILISM. The word NIHILISM is more associated with Buddhism than Hinduism. NIHILISM only means that spiritual world is the true world and material world is constantly changing.

Authors have no idea about the true meaning of MAYA DOCTRINE. Maya means ILLUSION. What Hindu scriptures teach is that MATERIAL WORLD IS AN ILLUSION AND WE SHOULD NOT GET ATTACHED TO MATERIAL THINGS. Hindu scriptures never ever taught to disregard material life. In fact, Hindu scriptures teach every one TO DO ONE'S DUTY -! DHARMA. Nobody is allowed to run away from his/her duties. ! Among 800 millions Hindus only less than one million are Saints or Sadhus who roam about teaching people all about Hindu culture.

This booklet wants to give an impression that Hinduism promotes anarchy and lawlessness, since they believe in Maya Doctrine. That is totally wrong. After all the Hindu Bible, the Baghavad Gita, was taught in the middle of the battlefield as a very lively discussion between the God and a warrior prince. After that lengthy [ 18 chapters 700 verses] discussion THE WARRIOR PRINCE TOOK BOW AND ARROW AND KILLED ALL HIS ENEMIES. He did not run away from duty.

I have no idea why authors write that when a you do yoga meditation, you reach ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS [page 14] where as when you mediate on Christ, you do not reach that, instead you reach Almighty God!!!!

Things were very prosperous in India until Moslem attacked and plundered North India. Hindu Chola kings of southern India sent emissaries to Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tha! iland etc. That is why one can still see relics of Hinduism in all those South Eastern nations. Just like Jews, Hindus were in bondage under Moslems and then under British until 1947. How can anyone looked down upon Hinduism - the ONE AND ONLY CULTURE OF INDIA, when it has delivered the world metric system, Arabic numerals, quadratic equation, alchemy, breathing exercises etc.

Authors have no idea [ page-21] about I AM GOD concept in Hinduism. Unluckily they do not know that Hindu scriptures do not teach the body is God but the IMMORTAL SOUL WITH IN [ ATMAN] IS A MIRROR IMAGE OF GOD [PARAMATHMAN] . Of course, I can understand their dilemma since there is no word IMMORTAL SOUL in the Holy Bible. The individual Soul can be destroyed as per the Holy Bible. That is why authors are totally confused about Hindu salvation. All of you out there, who read this booklet, this one sided tirade against Hindu culture also should read another international best seller AM I A HIND! U? to get another side of the whole story. This book is hig! hly recommended for all libraries by LIBRARY JOURNAL and BOOKLIST magazines. Thanks for reading [e-mail]

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Hate-filled rubbish!, February 10, 2008

By 

C. Lillibridge (Coventry, RI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Facts on Hinduism in America (The Anker Series) (Paperback)

As a former Catholic who converted to Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) this book is a prime example of what made me run away from the Christian faith. Too much emphasis spent on hating and ridiculing others who don't believe as you do!! By contrast, the Hindu faith is loving and inclusive and doesn't try to shove their beliefs down your throat. This "book" serves as nothing more than proof as to what's wrong with the Christian faith.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Facts on Hinduism in America (The Anker Series) (Paperback)

Like all of Weldon's books (75), this excellent overview is well-researched and copiously documented.

Weldon quotes extensively from pro-Hindu authors and leading gurus. He provides 197 footnotes (in a booklet consisting of 48) pages, enabling readers to check statements in context and encouraging further study.

Weldon writes from an orthodox, evangelical Christian point of view.

Highly recommended.

Anton Hein (Publisher, Apologetics Index)