Negative contributions

Yet, there are several negative contributions of religion, especially in the context of Hindu religion, for both individuals and society. They are as follows :-

Escapism or otherworldliness, and lack of consistency between religious and social life :

Long back Max Weber said that Hinduism stopped India from developing a rational, economic order due to its otherworldly theodicy. To him, from Hindu perspective this world is a great illusion. For Hindus the goal of life is to realize Truth. This led to neglect of rational organization of social and economic spheres and the country remained backward. It is commonly observed that ordinary people concentrate more on religious rituals than on performing their social duty or professional role more efficiently and honestly. People do not find any contradiction between following religious virtues at home and corrupt practices in office. Even great saints and gurus are known for accumulating lot of wealth by all means, deviating from moral norms of acquiring and recording wealth. These things can easily be justified if religious-spiritual and worldly considerations are not to be pursued consistently.