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15:39
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Q: Is ISKCON following Sanatana Dharma?

srimannarayana k vInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ISKCON is the anti-thesis of Hinduism. They proselytize: This is highly against the essence of all traditions in Hinduism, Our traditions are to study and proclaim the understanding, then aspirants should come seeking the truth as we see ...

I believe there are many Qs on this already. I was able to find this one .. I am not sure if those answers will be helpful or not because in all of them users are giving their personal opinions (you can see the citation needed banner added to all the answers there).
Also, I would like to point out that user SK (who is currently banned) used to post a lot, both here and in Meta, about this topic.
@Rickross: I am interested in scriptural reference to such type of people. I am not asking for opinion based answers please
I have verses from Agamas that ask traditional Hindu sects (like Shaivas, Vaishnavas etc.) to keep themselves aloof and protected from some group/sect of "Varnashanakara Vaishnavas". These Varnashankara Vaishnavas will be quite dominant in the Kali Yuga and they do indeed pose a threat to Hinduism in general. Now, I can not post those verses openly here as some might get offended.
"ISKCON practices such attitudes like Abrahamic religions." --- In general Dvaitavadis and Abrahamic doctrines have many similarities. Like they both preach aggressively. They both say "you must follow our way or else you are doomed".
@Rickross: There is a difference between dwaitavadis and ISKCON. ISKCON resort to proselytising, which is not according to Sanatana Dharma, in my view
Well, there can be many differences but in general Bhedavadis (or Dvaitas) and Abrahamic religions have many similarities to share. Now, what Iskcon does is none of my concerns but I have noted what I have said above.
15:39
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
@Rickross - other than ISKCON which dvaitavadi philosophy says "you must follow our way or else you are doomed"
"Varnashanakara Vaishnavas"? Really, I am hearing this concept for the first time. Can you explain please? @Rickross
This sounds an opinion based question in first place and more or less a duplicate of this Q
@Pandya: I had requested scriptural reference to such people. And, this can not be an opinion based question
I think this question has already been posted many times.
Anyway from what I know they consider themselves as Sanatana Dharma and other sects Shaivas,Shaktas as having different interpretation for Sanatana Dharma. It's not "proselytize" per se they belive in sankirtan in public. As for second point all Vaishnavas are some what exclusive with Madhavas being the most exclusive of them. I don't think Hinduism as a whole is inclusive or exclusive as you say. Its just how different sects beliefs are.
@Carmensandiego really? I never read about ISKCON claiming non-followers to be "doomed". Sure they do believe only goloka/vaikuntha is eternal those who worship other deities return to take birth again but isn't that a belief all Vaishnavas sects have?
@Rickross never heard about it. Do post if it's from agamas I don't think anyone will be offended. I m really interested.
15:39
@srimannarayanakv No I would not like to elaborate further on this topic. But I just let you know that I know about the verses that are relevant here.
@Rickross ISKCON doesn't preach that non-belivers are doomed. Infact its much more a Madhava belif of eternal hell which almost resonants with abrahamic religion. ISKCON only believes that non Vaishnavas do go the deity they worship but sooner or later they will return to earth and keep doing so until they realize Sri Krishna is only Reality. I think this belief is common in Vaishnavas isn't it?
@Carmensandiego I can't provide explicit proofs but from what I have seen all Bhedavadis' attitude is like that. It's like "Our path is the best and the only correct path etc." Intolerance is another feature where they share a similarity ..
@Rickross - so it seems ardent followers are stretching it with their attitude but scriptures do not support it
Yes that can very well be the case. Can scriptures provide grounds for such intolerance? I don't think so and even in general we find the Hindus to be very tolerant. @Carmensandiego
@RishX - "Madhava belief of eternal hell" - do you mean proponent of Dvaita , Madhvacharya said eternal hell for non-followers?
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From my experience I can tell you this @srimannarayanakv These sort of Qs have been asked many times in the past. They usually receive a lot of downvotes, eventually they get closed and sometimes even deleted. So, in the end nothing positive will emerge.
I know the attitude of majority of the members of the site and I know the outcome of such attitude :-) @Rickross
I certainly agree with your points. Lifting Krishna up to a pedestal and viewing all other gods as mere servants to Krishna is not only demeaning but plainly wrong. As for your second point this is why I despise ISKON. They claim exclusivity and are almost behaving like a cult.

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