@pyro
I'm aware of that crappy caste system. I'm glad it's technically illegal. Unfortunately, like dowries, many folks still want to follow it and the Indian Govt. doesn't bother enforcing the ban on castes and dowries.
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I read somewhere that, long ago, when the Vedas were compiled, the Varnas (where the caste system comes from) was something a lot more vague and akin to "Four Temperaments" but applied to souls and careers as well....like a psycho-spititual take on "Choleric, Melancholic, Phlegmatic & Sanguine". This was applied to suggested career branches. However; Over time, it became a rigid, oppressive social class thing.
The Varnas are mentioned in Hindu Scripture but I prefer to reinterpret it as a sort of Vedic version of the "Four Temperaments". I personally think that's a better way to apply it....and that one's Varna can change and fluctuate over one's lifetime.
I could probably create correspondences between both systems....
* BRAHMIN (Priests, Sages, Scholars, Teachers) - MELANCHOLIC
* KSHATRIYA (Rulers, Politicians, Warriors, Administrators) - CHOLERIC
* VAISHYA (Farmers, Traders, Bankers, Merchants) - PHLEGMATIC
* SHUDRA (Laborers, Craftspeople, Artists, Service Providers) - SANGUINE
....I tried to find the closest equivalent. I'm a Universalist who likes to blend East & West.
As a ShaktaPagan (Blending a NeoPagan/Wiccan spirituality with Shakta Hinduism); I have a rather fluid, liberal, sex-positive interpretation of the wisdom of Sanatana Dharma/Vedaism ('Hinduism'). I find Western equivalents and I don't take everything literally. I also apply the "Demiurge" concept when an incredible crappy doctrine is taught.
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Hindu scripture is divided in two categories, Shruti and Smirti. The former is a direct revelation from the Divine and more while the latter is simply an interpretation/view/opinion.
Most of the "problematic" stuff in Hinduism tends to be in the Smirtis. IMHO; Some Smirtis (like the Manu Smirti) are cultural-based demiurgic claptrap that's best left ignored and left in ancient India where it belongs.
I also reject the 7 th part (or Kanda) of The Ramayana (which was a much later addition and turns the story into a giant 'Shaggy Dog Story' with Rama rejecting Sita because of the rumor-mongering of one random jerkass abusive husband. Sita had already proven that she didn't have sex with her kidnapper, Ravana but Rama was a dumbass who didn't bother standing up for the truth and refuting that jerk guy. Hindus regard Rama as the 'Perfect King and Husband' yet the 7th section turns him into an asshole. The 7th Kanda also has Rama murder a Shudra who was performing a Ritual meant for another Varna). IMHO; The Ramayana has 6 Kandas and ends with the triumphant coronation of Rama & Sita and "they lived happily ever after".
The Vedas, Early (Mukhya) Upanishads, Samhitas, Brahmanas and Aranyakas are Shruti. Later and Sectarian Upanishads, The Puranas and Epics and other works on Morals, Ethics, etc. are Smirti. Smirtis are far more open to interpretation.
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In a nutshell; My point is that India can liberalize, modernize, become feminist, pro-LGBTAQ, sex-positive, etc. and still stay true to the Hindu faith.
Also; Faith and State are best kept apart, not everyone in India is Hindu and different faiths should find common ground and get along. Allah/YHVH can be equated with The ParaBrahman. The Christian Jesus can be equated with Vishnu, etc.
True Hinduism is Universalist and sees all deities as true and valid. Jerks like Hindutva are dumbasses.