Hinduism and creationism
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Within the diverse traditions of Hinduism, creation of the universe and life itself is generally believed to have occurred due to the will of a supreme consciousness or intelligence, often referred to as Brahman[1]. The accounts of the emergence of life within the universe vary in description, but classically the deity called Brahma (from a Trimurti of three dieties also including Vishnu and Shiva) is described as performing the act of 'creation', or more specifically of 'propogating life within the universe' with the other two deities being responsible for 'maintenance' and 'destruction' (of the universe) respectively[2]. In this respect some Hindu schools do not treat the scriptural creation or origin theory literally and often the creation stories themselves do not go into specific detail, thus leaving open the possibility of incorporating at least some theories in support of evolution. Some Hindus even find support for, or foreshadowing of evolutionary ideas in scriptures, namely the Vedas.[3][4] An exception to this acceptance is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which includes several members who actively oppose "Darwinism" and the neo-Darwinist theory of evolution. Other Hindu religious and political organizations have been charged with promoting creationism (or other pseudo-scientific ideas) based on interpretations of Hindu scriptures.[5]
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[edit] Hindu creation accounts and evolution
Hinduism is a Dharmic religion and bears few similarities to Abrahamanic schools of thought. A Hindu creation account is recorded in the sacred texts, the Vedas, according to which the universe, the Earth, along with humans and other creatures undergo repeated cycles of creation and destruction (pralaya). A variety of myths exist regarding the specifics of the process, but in general the Hindu view of the cosmos is as eternal and cyclic. In this sense Genesis and the Hindu creation myths are fundamentally different.
Some Vedic texts teach that humans have lived in unchanged form on the earth for many millions of years. This would imply that humans were alive in modern form at the time of the dinosaurs, which would be contrary to the current scientific understanding.
Indian mystic Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) proposed a religious "theory of evolution", though in his usage, evolution refers to the theorized adventures of the World-Spirit moving through successively greater levels of consciousness, from matter to man, seeking fulfillment. [5]
[edit] Attitude towards evolution
India is a secular state with people of many faiths. However Hindus form a majority of its population, and thus the education system in India, is in part, reflective of their beliefs. Darwinian evolution is included in several standard Indian school textbooks, as reported by an editorial in the journal Current Science.[6]
Hindus (along with people of other faiths) are also said to be apprehensive about efforts to teach Christian creationism in public schools in the US.[7] An objection to the teaching of creationism based on the religious texts of a particular faith, is that in a pluralistic society this can result in the imposition of one religion.
[edit] Compatibility with Evolution
Some Hindu schools profess that evolution theory is consistent with particular beliefs within Hinduism in regards to the soul (jiva) being reincarnated through progressively more complex bodily forms[citation needed]. This is based, partly on quotations from Puranic scriptures such as:
"After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, where as ultimate liberation is possible only for a human being" (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29)
[edit] Opposition to evolution
[edit] ISKCON and Darwin's theory of evolution
Some members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have expressed the belief that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is false, but do not necessarily dispute evolution all-together. The views of the founder of ISKCON, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, on Darwin and evolution are found in his book "Life comes from life".[8] [9] In 2003, Michael A Cremo published Human Devolution: A Vedic alternative to Darwin’s theory[10] to describe a view that man has existed on the earth in modern form far longer than that offered by the currently accepted fossil evidence and genetic evidence.
Cremo presents evidence against Darwin's theory of evolution pursuing this same theme in several other books. Cremo argues that Darwinian evolution should be replaced with "devolution" from the original unity with Brahman.[5] These books have been met with considerable skepticism by the scientific community which charges that Cremo's theories are closer to pseudoscience.[11][12] Some have dubbed these beliefs as akin to a form of "Vedic creationism."[13] Cremo even wrote a book documenting some of the sceptical responses he obtained (Cremo, 1998).
[edit] Vedic Foundation, Texas
Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, religious leader of the Vedic Foundation in Texas, has written a book , "The true history and the religion of India".[14] which some critics have said was analogous to creationist beliefs in the west. For example, Ravi Ravishankar claims that the following are almost verbatim quotes from the book "The true history and religion of India":
It is a fact that in the world almost all the academic literature in English about Hinduism, even by Hindu writers, bears the western influence, and that, none of these books represent the correct view of total authentic Hinduism. Historians forget that one cannot determine the history of Bharatvarsh on meager archaeological findings of coins, toys and pots. Whereas the general history of Bharatvarsh is already written in its scriptures and the Puranas whose texts and the philosophical descriptions are the outcome of the Gracious and benevolent minds of eternal Saints.
In comparison with western religions:
In no way could there be any comparison of the western religions (which are based on mythologies) with the Hindu Vedic religion which is eternal, universal and is directly revealed by the supreme God.
Similar to Western creationists:
Divine writings cannot be analyzed in a material way. How could a worldly being, possessed with the vehemence of his own passions and desires, try to argue with the writings of Sages and Saints whose entire life was a divine benevolence for the souls of the world? You should know that all of our religious writings are Divine facts, and facts always remain facts, they cannot become myths. Using the word myth for our religious history is a serious spiritual transgression.
[edit] Science and Vedic science
A philosopher of science, Meera Nanda at the Templeton Foundation states that some Hindus have for long co-opted scientific results to claim support for Hindu religious ideas, including evolution.[5] Nanda says, " evolution is taught as the self-manifestation of Brahman and so on. The terms are scientific, but the content is religious'".[5] According to Nanda quantum mechanics, nuclear physics and other scientific results too are twisted to provide "scientific evidence" for Vedic science. Furthermore, she says that for Hindu Nationalists the science included "astrology, vastu, Vedic creationism, transcendental meditation and ayurveda. This was not just talk: state universities and colleges got big grants from the government to offer post-graduate degrees, including PhDs in astrology; research in vastu shastra, meditation, faith-healing, cow-urine and priest-craft was promoted with substantial injections of public money". [15] Some of Nandas' statements and characterizations have been disputed as "sweeping" and an "biased attacks on Hindutva". [16]
Nanda cites the example of the book "Explaining Hindu Dharma: A Guide for Teachers" (Prinja, 2001) which offers "teaching suggestions for introducing Hindu ideas and topics in the classroom" and is intended to be used in the British school system. Nanda notes: [5]
It advises British teachers to introduce Hindu dharma as "just another name" for "eternal laws of nature" first discovered by Vedic seers, and subsequently confirmed by modern physics and biological sciences. After giving a false but incredibly smug account of mathematics, physics, astronomy, medicine and evolutionary theory contained in the Vedic texts, the Guide instructs the teachers to present the Vedic scriptures as "not just old religious books, but as books which contain many true scientific facts... these ancient scriptures of the Hindus can be treated as scientific texts" (emphasis added). All that modern science teaches us about the workings of nature can be found in the Vedas, and all that the Vedas teach about the nature of matter, god, and human beings is affirmed by modern science. There is no conflict, there are no contradictions. Modern science and the Vedas are simply "different names for the same truth.
– Meera Nanda
Nanda also states that "This Guide claims that the ancient Hindu scriptures contain 'many true scientific facts' and therefore 'can be treated as scientific texts'" and then proceeds to dismiss this by giving examples, and claiming that "Far from there being "no conflict" between science and Hinduism, a scientific understanding of nature completely and radically negates the "eternal laws" of Hindu dharma." Nanda draws an analogy between such reasoning and the arguments of western creationists. [5]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Hinduism "According to Hindu beliefs, Brahman is the principle and source of the universe"
- ^ BBC - Religion & Ethics - Brahman & the Trimurthi
- ^ Science and Spirituality: Any Points of Contact? Dr. J.S.R.L. Narayana Moorty
- ^ Krishnamurti Centennial Conference; Miami University, Ohio, May 18-21, 1995.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nanda, Meera, Postmodernism, Hindu nationalism and Vedic science, Frontline, December 20,2003 – January 02, 2004
- ^ Creation, evolution and intelligent design, P. Balaram, Current Science, Volume 86, Number 9, 10 May 2004.
- ^ "Christian agenda worries other faiths: push for intelligent design seen by some as imposing Christianity on others", Jim Baker, Lawrence World – Journal, May 12, 2005.
- ^ Life Comes from Life - written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (founder of ISKCON)]
- ^ A selection of quotes and small essays - mostly by Bhaktivedanta Swami, founder of ISKCON, on Darwinian evolution and other topics.
- ^ Human Devolution: A Vedic alternative to Darwin’s theory, Michael A. Cremo, Torchlight Publishing, September 15, 2003, ISBN-10: 0892133341
- ^ Forbidden Archaeology´s Impact by Michael A Cremo, Tom Morrow, Reports of the National Center for Science Education, 19 (3): 14-17.
- ^ Forbidden Archaeology : Antievolutionism Outside the Christian Arena, Wade Tarzia, Creation/Evolution 34:13-25, 1994
- ^ Vedic creationism in America, Meera Nanda, Frontline: India's National Magazine from the publishers of THE HINDU, Volume 23 - Issue 01, Jan. 14 - 27, 2006
- ^ The true history and religion of India, Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, 2nd Edition, 2003, ISBN 0967382319
- ^ Nanda, Meera, Intellectual Treason, , New Humanist, January 7 2005
- ^ Srikant, A Rejoinder to Meera Nanda’s Article “Postmodernism, Hindu nationalism and Vedic science”, Swaveda, May 13, 2005]
[edit] References
- Cavanaugh, Michael A. 1983. A Sociological Account of Scientific Creationism: Science, True Science, Pseudoscience. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
- Eve, Harold, "Creationist Movement in Modern America", Twayne Pub, 1990.
- The Hidden History of the Human Race (The Condensed Edition of Forbidden Archeology), Michael A. Cremo, Torchlight Publishing, May 15, 1999ISBN-10: 0892133252
- Forbidden Archeology: The Full Unabridged Edition, Michael A. Cremo and Richard L. Thompson, Torchlight Publishing; 2Rev Ed edition, January 1998 ISBN-10: 0892132949
- Prophets Facing Backward: Postmodern Critiques of Science and the Making of Hindu Nationalism in India, Meera Nanda, Rutgers University Press, 2003.
- Explaining Hindu Dharma A Guide for Teachers, N. K. Prinja (ed), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (UK). pp. 204. Chatham Printers Limited, Leicester, UK, 2001.
- Forbidden Archeology's Impact: How a Controversial New Book Shocked the Scientific Community and Became an Underground Classic, Michael A. Cremo, Torchlight Publishing, January 1998, ISBN-10: 0892132833.
[edit] External links
- Humankind and evolution: Editorial in The Hindu, April 20, 2004.
- Dharma vs. Darwin? Swami B.V. Tripurari : Beliefnet article describing Hindu perspectives on evolution
- The Perils of Vedic 'Science' , Meera Nanda, Beliefnet article on Hindu science and evolutionary theories.
- The flaws in Darwin’s theory: An anti-Darwinian evolution website that advocates Hinduism.
- The Secret Diary of Charles Darwin, Sivasiva Palani: Discussion of contradictions between Hinduism and evolution in Hinduism Today.
