Hinduism, the Hindu way of living, is nothing but the Indian way of living. Hinduism was the way of life of those who reside in Bharatam, in Hindu-sthan, now India.
The scope of this article is restricted to worship. The Hindu worshipped nature, similar to the Greek pagans, but deeper, more mystical, more powerful, and effective.
The five elements of life and earth were identified, worshipped, and even powerful chants of invocation were identified. But such chants can only be communicated by nature, or by a higher force, not learnt. Thus the belief that they were delivered as inspiration or intuition to the saints. These became the Vedas. The chants still have effect, but the trust with which they need to be chanted, the disciplines to be followed before and after the chant, have withered. And hence so the visible results of the chants.
The way of life itself had 4 pragmatic goals: Kama (pleasure), Artha (wealth), Dharma (duty), Moksha (salvation).
And life itself was grouped into 4 stages, called ashrams in veneration: Brahmacharya (where you learn), Gruhasta (where you are a householder), Vaanaprastha (where you impart wisdom and teach), Sanyaasa (where you renunciate).
These were just meant to be broad outlines. Hinduism was strict on only one aspect: Tolerance. Ironic, but yes. Each person was free to live up to his karma. Of course there was society and order to govern property and life. But not the restrictions, hypocritic narrow-mindedness, casteism, in Hinduism. But going into detail will be to divert from the scope of this article.
Hinduism went from being a way of life to a religion when polytheism and idol worship came into picture. But it started with the intent, of channelizing the focus of the masses to the way of life that would broadly prescribe to the above goals and stages. So none of the Hindu gods were perfect. It was OK to have emotions, and make mistakes. And yet, to stay on one's broad goals, focused on the bigger picture as one might say. Sorry to say, but Hinduism never would prescribe showing the other cheek. Almost all the Hindu gods bore weapons. Satyagraha was the need of a different era, one that hasn't survived in general, because it is not natural. Harsh but true, the laws of nature are free to be observed in the animal kingdom. What separates us, are rules of engagement.
I suspect casteism was introduced by either the Kshatriyas to keep their heirs in power, or due to polytheism for the priests to stay most respected in society. It truly suppressed talent, and free expression, both tenets of Hinduism. I suspect the Kshatriya theory above more, mainly if you refer to the significant event in Hindu history, the Mahabharata. Mainly a power struggle between a king's children, for the throne. Yet, we don't hear of them praying to temples. Instead, they pray to the elements. You hear of heroes being sons of the God of Wind, Indra (god of heavens/sky), God of Fire, God of Sun, etc.
The mythologies of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganapati, even Rama, were created later..
Hindus still make up 14% of the world. But for Hinduism to attain it's lost glory and grow, it must be stressed to be a way of life. The true intent of polytheism be marketed viz. to beautify through bhajans and bring to focus the qualities to lead a good, complete life. Indeed, a person may not believe in idol worship and be a Hindu; he'd actually be a better Hindu if he instead invokes and prays to the elements in nature. And of course, casteism be abolished, as it has been today in India. Let merit, not reservations, determine achievement. The democratic meritocracy is indeed, the Hindu way...
And those who embrace this way of life, can choose to be deemed as Hindus. That is, "conversion" to Hinduism be allowed. It's just a term a title. If the person has embraced the Hindu way of life, he already is, has become, a Hindu.
