a bit late, but still want to post some thoughts to what I read 
Originally posted by: MannMeinRadha
The term hindu itself is wrong. Sanatan is the correct and appropriate term for our religion. In none of our texts or even any related books anywhere this term hindu is mentioned. It is always refered as Sanatan dharma only.
In conclusion, the name of our religion is Sanatan , not Hinduism.Hinduism is the term Abramic religions and cultures use for us . It's basically a colonial derogatory term.
Hindu, to me, is - actually - a person who follows a religion which belongs to the term coined by - as you rightly stated - foreigners to facilitate the differentness from other belief systems... as such it isn't meant in a negative way.
However, as in ancient times it was more a geographical/cultural term for those living in the region of the Indus river, the hindus themselves used it then (without the -ism of course) - because of the invasions - to stress their cultural/religious difference vis-à-vis the invaders... it became like an 'umbrella'-term.
Personally - as I know about the different belief systems contained in this 'umbrella term', I also would prefer to use Sanatana or Sanatana Dharma as it is the one based on the Vedas and describes what I think is the most comprising form of spiritual/philosophical guide in our way of life. Anyways, it is the crore of the contemporary term Hinduism.
So, I partly agree with you except that I don't think that Hinduism - originally - was meant in a derogatory way (by me still not
).
Edited by Clochette - 2 hours ago
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