Photo: DavideGorla
According to the census figures, Hinduism is the third largest religion in Britain and Ireland. Relationships between Christians and Hindus are therefore very important.
Some commentators stress that Hinduism is not a religion in the same way as, say, Christianity and Islam. Rather it is more a family of religions bound together by Indian Vedic Philosophy.
Christianity’s engagement with Hinduism is very old, however contemporary relations are often defined by the history of British rule in India and by Christian missionary religion.
Issues concerning missionary activity, conversion, caste discrimination and Indian politics all impact on Christian-Hindu relations. Dialogue between the two religions therefore aims to overcome misunderstandings and to develop relationships of trust that are respectful of difference.
