Hinduism, Belief and the Colonial Invention of Religion: A before and after Comparison

As known from the academic literature on Hinduism, foreign, Persian word, “Hindu” (meaning “Indian”), was used by British to name everything indigenously South Asian, which not Islam, as a religion. If we adopt explication our research methodology, consists in application of criterion logical validity organize various propositions perspectives encounter terms disagreement, discover: (a) what identified “Hinduism” characterizable shared set beliefs or outlook, but disagreement debate about basic topics philosophy with discourse tenets moral anchoring debate; and (b), Western tradition’s historical commitment language vehicle thought only leads conflation beliefs, interpreting (explaining way belief) basis Eurocentric tradition rooted exclusively ancient Greek philosophy. Interpretation vindicating itself non-traditional, non-religious, rational platform—the secular—for explaining everything—the residua are get called religions global scale. This serves political function insulating colonialism indigenous criticism. Given that is pivotal event, before Asians just had philosophy, after they religion (the explanatory interpretation), can ask Hindu religious belief. pertains period colonialism, when Hindus adopted Westcentric frame for understanding their because colonization. Prior this, wide variety philosophical approaches justification, often criticized propositional attitudes, like belief, irrational.