Ernie : This does not deal with all of your objections but it does seem to cover two of the most important. Basically the argument ( which I cannot confirm of deny at this point ) says that some of the worst practices of Hinduism are really the result of Muslim domination of India for about 1000 years.
As for the caste system, it was officially banned at the time of Independence, yes, with British example as part of the equation. Nonetheless it was banned even if, unofficially, this practice continues all over the place although no longer universally. All of this said, I don't want to be in the position of needing to defend everything about Hinduism, that is not my view. But I will say that in comparison with Islam, Hinduism is far superior. How Hinduism compares with Christianity depends on which type of Hinduism we are discussing and which kind of Christianity. EZ to compare the worst Hindu religion with the best Christian religion, but clearly some forms of each are better or worse than forms of the other even if your points about virtues of Christian faith are well taken. Billy ====================================== major selections from-- Criticism of Hinduism Wikipedia The role of women in Hinduism is often disputed, and positions range from quite fair to intolerant. _Hinduism_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism) is based on numerous texts, some of which date back to 2000 BCE or earlier. They are varied in authority, authenticity, content and theme, with the most authoritative being the _Vedas_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas) . The position of women in _Hinduism_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism) is widely dependent on the specific text and the context. Positive references are made to the ideal woman in texts such as the _Ramayana_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana) and the _Mahabharata_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata) . Women in vedic period were accorded very high status. The proof can beinferred from reference to 30 women seers contributing to Vedas. Several women sages and seers are mentioned in the Upanishads, the philosophical part of the _Vedas_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas) , notable among them being Gargi and Maitreyi. The Sanskrit word for female teachers as Acharyā (as opposed to Acharya for teacher and Acharyini for teacher's wife) reveal that women were also given a place as Gurus. The Harita Dharmasutra (of the Maitrayaniya school of Yayurveda) declares that there are two kind of women: Sadhyavadhu who marry, and the Brahmavaadini who are inclined to religion, they can wear the sacred thread, perform rituals like the agnihotra and read the Vedas. _Bhavabhuti_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhavabhuti) 's Uttararamacharita 2.3 says that _Atreyi_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Atreyi&action=edit&redlink=1) went to Southern India where she studied the Vedas and Indian philosophy. _Shankara_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankara) debated with the female philosopher Ubhaya Bharati, and _Madhava_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhava) 's Shankaradigvijaya (9.63) mentions that she was well versed in the Vedas. _Tirukkoneri Dasyai_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tirukkoneri_Dasyai&action=edit&redlink=1) (15th century) wrote a commentary on _Nammalvar_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nammalvar) 's _Tiruvaayamoli_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tiruvaayamoli&action=edit&redlink=1) , with reference to Vedic texts like the Taittiriya Yajurveda. In the marriage hymn (RV 10.85.26), the wife "should address the assembly as a commander."_[10]_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Hinduism#cite_note-9) A Rig Veda hymn says:_[11]_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Hinduism#cite_note-10) I am the banner and the head, a mighty arbitress am I: I am victorious, and my Lord shall be submissive to my will. Rig Veda, Book 10. HYMN CLIX. Saci Paulomi. These are probably the earliest references to the position of women in Hindu society. In modern times the Hindu wife has traditionally been regarded as someone who must at all costs remain chaste or pure._[12]_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Hinduism#cite_note-11) This is in contrast with the very different traditions that have prevailed at earlier times in 'Hindu' kingdoms, which included highly respected professional courtesans (such as _Amrapali_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amrapali) of _Vesali_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesali) ) sacred _devadasis_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devadasi) , mathematicians and female magicians (the basavis, the _Tantric_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantric) kulikas). Some European scholars observed in the nineteenth century Hindu women were "naturally chaste" and "more virtuous" than other women, although what exactly they meant by that is open to dispute. In any case, as male foreigners they would have been denied access to the secret and sacred spaces that women often inhabited. Sati ( suttee ) Condemned practices like _Sati_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice)) (widow self-immolation or "bride burning") and widow remarriage were social practices that arose in India's Middle Ages, mostly in the northern regions of _India_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India) , and had nothing to do with Hindu laws and scriptures. It was a 'practice' not a law in scripture. In the later medieval ages, this practice came to be forced on the widows. However this practice was abolished from the society in the 20th century During the Islamic onslaught into the North-Western Indian Kingdoms, the Muslims had many concubines, who were the wives of the fallen warriors. It was to avoid the shame in being subjugated to being a whore that many women deemed fit to die faithful wives. As it has no scriptural validity, it was only practiced in places where there was a dire need for the action. Sati was not prevalent in ancient history. In the epic Ramayana, King Dasharatha (Rama's father) left behind three widows who never committed Sati. In the same epic the wives of Vali Ravana and of other fallen warriors did not commit Sati after the deaths of their husbands. In the Mahabharata, Kunti, the mother of Pandavas (Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Bhima) and first wife of Pandu, was a widow who never committed Sati. Passages in the _Atharva Veda_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atharva_Veda) , including 13.3.1, offer advice to the widow on mourning and her life after widowhood, including her remarriage. In the _Ramayana_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana) , _Tara_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tara_(Devi)) , in her grief at the death of husband Vali, wished to commit sati. _Hanuman_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman) , _Rama_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama) , and the dying Vali dissuade her and she finally does not immolate herself. There is no record of Sati being practiced in the _south Indian_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_India) Hindu communities. Adi Shankaracharya's mother did not commit sati when her husband died. The forceful practice of sati may have risen around the time of the _Gupta Empire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire) , 400 AD. [ seems questionable BR ]
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