Re: There is no Idol Worship in Hinduism
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You're joking! The author relates it splendidly in the very next sentence - "Rigveda says “Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti” which means, “Truth is one but learned men describe it differently”. Hence this forms the theoretical basis of allowing the people or society at large to have and form their own form and name of that one supreme god."
You're all over the map on this one. First of, Islam hasn't proved anything about forms, formlessness, class distinction or lack thereof. It just makes some claims about 'idol worshippers' probably because the Prophet Mohamed was fighting a group of people who were idol worshippers - but don't tell me about formlessness because muslims have plenty of forms that they worship.
On the other hand Hinduism, extends the freedom of people connecting with God with or without a form. Thus Hinduism exhibits a fuller understanding of minds than is exhibited by Islam.
Again this 'we have no need to understand more than...." is a IMO the main deficiency in Islam. How will your understanding of truth be complete (assuming that is what you aspire) if you limit your thoughts ?
In worshipping Hindu Gods, there are numerous texts with names such as Sahasranaamam, Ashtangams etc. The first one lists the various attributes (as you call them) of a particular God. For example you call out "Allah the Mericful"; Similarly in a particular Sahasranaamam it would call out "Aapathbhadav" (one who helps in danger) etc.....So what?
Even political leaders are given dozens of titles...
Peace again
First part did not deserve a response.
Second part ... Islam has indeed proven that laypersons do not need idols to worship God. It has proven it by showing practically that all Muslims lay or otherwise worship One God and do so together in the Masajid.
Now you have introduced a new criterion to our existence in this world ... which is to somehow gain complete understanding of truth. If it is truth you need to look for then you can begin by telling the Hindus that there is only One God and that they need not worship their idol forms. Rather worshipping directly is the best way as stated in Baghwad Gita ... until you do not tell them the truth then your search for understanding complete truth is futile.
No in reality Allah (SWT) is understood by His Attributes, and that is enough. If God is truly One for Hindus then you will accept that the Attribute you appoint to one 'Deity' should be transferrable to another, unless the name itself is the Attribute, in which case should never be perceived as a separate entity from the One God.
I don't really care who are given titles, I was explaining how Attributes of God are ways to understand Him and that idol worship is not nearly necessary nor is it advised as per Hindu scripture.