¶ … Hinduism With Other Religions There are a number of common characteristics that Hinduism shares with other religions. One of the most fundamental of these is the notion of the afterlife in Hinduism. Specifically, Hinduism posits the notion that there is both a heaven and a hell that people will encounter after their physical existence ends on earth. This idea is reflected in Christianity and in Judaism. Additionally, it is significant to realize that Islam is also partly predicated on the conception of paradise, which is largely akin to the Hindu tenet of heaven. Hinduism is also extremely polytheistic, which is one of its notions that is also found in other religions such as those which dominated classical Greece and Rome during the period of antiquity (and prior to Rome's adoption of Christianity by Constantine as its official state religion). Interestingly enough, there is a conception in Hinduism of a trinity, which is evinced in Christianity with the notion of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. However, in Hinduism, the trinity reflects three different gods and is known as Trimurti (Larson, 1972, p. 145).

Another aspect of Hinduism that is shared in common with Greek and Roman mythology is the dwelling place of the gods that is found in these religions. In Greek and Roman mythology, the gods lived on a mountain known as Mt. Olympus. Similarly, the gods are believed to live on a mountain in Hinduism...

Meru. Not only is Mt. Meru considered the location where the gods in Hinduism dwell, but it is also widely considered the center of creation. It has a sort of holy salience that is akin to that which is ascribed to Mt. Olympus for the aforementioned Greek and Roman religions.
There are a couple of truly pivotal ways in which Hinduism is responding to the challenges of the contemporary world. The first of these pertains to religious tolerance. During the initial period of this religion, it existed during a time and in a place where primarily the only other religion adherents encountered was Buddhism -- which partly explains why there are so many points in common between these two religions. Today, Hindu followers regularly encounter numerous Occidental religions such as Christianity and Judaism, as well as eastern religions such as Islam. Faced with so many divergent cosmologies, Hinduism has adapted to them by responding with a form of religious tolerance that could possibly quell some of the more noted religious conflicts taking place in the world today (Hebbar, 2002).

Additionally, Hinduism has responded to the modern world by renewing its emphasis on worship, which partially pertains to this religion's importance ascribed to growth and personal transformation (Kak, 2002). Moreover, it has done so by diversifying it. Hindus make a point to worship, pray, and commune with their deities regardless…