Nonsense.

Hinduism as practised today is full of superstitions, strange rituals that emphasize symbol over substance, and belifs that defy all logic and common sense.

So to say that more people are like Hindus now is not necessarily a good thing.

The trend is not surprising since Hinduism - among all the modern religions comes closest in many ways to the modern scientific view of reality and its core beliefs make logical and intellectual sense. The Upanishads or Vedanta - on which Hinduism is based - was an attempt by ancient Hindu sages and intellectuals to answer the big questions and explain the ultimate nature of reality. (Interestingly, Vedanta literally means end of knowledge) And - findings in quantum physics seem to validate their insights.
Vedanta says that Brahman is the only reality, it is all pervading , and the world as it appears to us is an illusion (or Maya) created by the human mind and consciousness. Brahman is pure consciousness and our individual souls are part of it - an undivided wholeness that only appears separate to us. Some of the most beautfiul verses from the Isa Upanishad that exemplify this view :

'Om Isha vasyam idam sarvam, yat kincha jagatyam jagat'

"All this- whatever exists in this changing
universe, is pervaded by God"

and

"Om purnamadah purnamidam purnaat purnamudachyate,
purnasya purnamadaya purnamevaavashishyate"

"That (pure consciousness) is full(perfect); this(the manifest universe of matter; of names and forms being maya) is full. This fullness has been projected from that fullness. When this fullness merges in that fullness, all that remains is fullness."

Interestingly, early Christianity (prior to 200 BC ) had followers who whose beliefs were very close to Hinduism, - as described by Elaine Pagels in her book The Gnostic Gospels - about the lost gospels discovered at Nag Hammadi in egypt in 1945.

Points noted. I belive Global intergration through communication have enabled us to have these thoughts. To me Christ or Krishna, they are both the same concept (minus the rituals) Whether I 'drink' the blood of Christ as a holy offering on Sunday serivce or go through rituals near a holy fire, that is just sysmbolism. I believe both of their message was more on 'TRUTH' than anything else. End goal for any religion really is to have the 'SOUL' (All earth species really, if you believe) & 'SUPERSOUL' (God) integration and become ONE. The "how" is really based on 'Action' of the invidivual. Good or Bad / Right or Wrong etc..If you have to qualify, I suppose "Karma-Yogi" is an apt term. Re-incarnation comes into play (again my interpretation only) to determine if you have done enough good 'Action' to reach 'Salvation' or 'SELF - REALIZATION'? Example from the book "Life of Pi". There are these Karma banks set-up in one's journey to the 'Supreme' or the 'Omipresent'. You continue to be re-incarnated until you have enough balance on the 'Good' side of things. Just a few unstructured thoughts I suppose.. Apologies in advance, if I offend anyone...Pleasant day.

The superstitions and rituals are not really part of the core belief system of Hinduism. Unlike Christianity, where what you believe and practice is well defined by the Chuch - Hinduism has no central authority or institution that dictates what you can and cannot do. So it has acquired a lot of cultural baggage, and local customs and rituals and so many variations. However, the core beliefs and philoshophy remain unaltered for - and that is what the true believer is free to follow.

Points noted. I belive Global intergration through communication have enabled us to have these thoughts. To me Christ or Krishna, they are both the same concept (minus the rituals) Whether I 'drink' the blood of Christ as a holy offering on Sunday serivce or go through rituals near a holy fire, that is just sysmbolism. I believe both of their message was more on 'TRUTH' than anything else. End goal for any religion really is to have the 'SOUL' (All earth species really, if you believe) & 'SUPERSOUL' (God) integration and become ONE. The "how" is really based on 'Action' of the invidivual. Good or Bad / Right or Wrong etc..If you have to qualify, I suppose "Karma-Yogi" is an apt term. Re-incarnation comes into play (again my interpretation only) to determine if you have done enough good 'Action' to reach 'Salvation' or 'SELF - REALIZATION'? Example from the book "Life of Pi". There are these Karma banks set-up in one's journey to the 'Supreme' or the 'Omipresent'. You continue to be re-incarnated until you have enough balance on the 'Good' side of things. Just a few unstructured thoughts I suppose.. Apologies in advance, if I offend anyone...Pleasant day.

Hinduism is what the Hindu practice, and not what's in the minds of some intellectuals fulminating on the subject far removed from masses.

And my point is that what is practiced is not what we should aspire to.

"Hinduism as practised today is full of superstitions, strange rituals that emphasize symbol over substance, and belifs that defy all logic and common sense."

I think you've missed the point of this article. The author is not urging people to adopt all Hindu practices, rituals etc. All religions today can be said to defy logic and commonsense. The author clearly said some Americans are becoming more like Hindus when it comes to the concept of "Ekam sat vipra bahauda vadanti" (that which is one is called many names by the sages).

Rituals are just a means to the end. Even atheists have rituals and superstitions, just not of the religious kind. Whilst all Hindus may not be Vedic scholars, the diversity and variety and flexibility and elasticity of their beliefs, rituals etc. allows them to intuitively tap into this concept and be tolerant of a myriad ways of expressing devotion to the ONE. That's why there is no one supreme religious figure in Hinduism (or rather Sanathana Dharma), no central holy book that is prescribed, no one way to "salvation" etc. This is not to say that Hinduism is perfect or without flaws or hasn't acquired traditions that are not that beneficial, but its core concepts, the ones that stand the test of time and that will never change, are indeed a good lesson for the world when compared to some of the core concept (essentially what is required to achieve salvation or nirvana or whatever you want to call it) of other major faiths.

The lesson should be that we can all learn from one another and take the best of all faiths/no faith.

How do you know "what the people practice" is full of superstitions? There are 1 billion Hindus on earth. A very small fraction of them believes in and practices superstitions. Also, some of what is considered superstition by the West has scientific basis. I believe what the author was trying to convey was that people are thinking more and more like the Hindu way of thinking - you are allowed to follow whichever path you think is best for you, no central authority proclaims that its is the only correct path.

The claim that all spiritual paths are equal is ridiculous--another myth concocted to soothe the doubts of the fearful and dull-witted.

The Bible clearly states and this is Jesus talking I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through ME!!! The Bible is the word of God and no other. As a Christian this story does not suprise me what so ever. God has given us all the truths in the Bible and has spoken about these days that we are living in now. Read Revelations. There is truly no other way to heaven other than Christ. People don't want to understand that Jesus Christ was a real man that lived here on earth and was sarcrificed to save us. We need to believe in Christ and what he did for us because there is no other way!!!

There is No equal to God and Jesus. Comparing Him to yoga is ridiculuous. There is No equal period. The U.S. is confused with christianity thinking we can save ourselves by being good people. It is not up to us to save ourselves. Jesus has already opened this door for us. All we have to do is consistently try to be submissive to God.

There is No equal to God and Jesus. Comparing Him to yoga is ridiculuous. There is No equal period. The U.S. is confused with christianity thinking we can save ourselves by being good people. It is not up to us to save ourselves. Jesus has already opened this door for us. All we have to do is consistently try to be submissive to God and discuss our learnings with others.

In my mind, the Americans are becoming like Hindus, NOT by believing that there are many paths to god or spirituality, but by having a common enemy ???Muslims???

Read more at http://sweetandsourdiced.blogspot.com/2009/08/newsweek-we-are-all-hindus.html

Well said, the essence of Hinduism can we well perceived and contrued in the inner sense only when people take to that path. It's an essence of light, it enlightens one way of life. I am not here to promote any religion or to criticize any other.

It's funny that they are trying to make the fact we import so much Indian labor - a change to a Hindu country. I notice that we have social programs to prevent the poorest among us to starve to death on the street in front of us. Hindus believe that they should absolutely not help out their own country or help the poor there.

Though, it is an amazing coincidence that all Hindus that come to America become Republicans. Because, Republicans also believe that the poor should be allowed to starve to death on the street in front of them.

Just wait till the Hindus start burning the wives with the deceased husband - that'll be good for Hindu values to come here.