Vivek Ramaswamy’s Hindu faith is front and center in his GOP presidential campaign

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Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old biotech entrepreneur turned Republican presidential candidate, is openly embracing his Hindu faith as part of his GOP campaign. He’s articulate in discussing both biblical narratives and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, a crucial Hindu text.

In the Republican party, largely influenced by conservative Christians, Ramaswamy has been gaining momentum. He is currently ranked third in numerous polls, following former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He is one of six contenders qualified for the initial GOP presidential debate scheduled for August 23.

Ramaswamy is the nation’s second Hindu presidential candidate, with Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii congresswoman, having run in 2020 as a Democrat.

In his campaign, Ramaswamy has revealed 10 essential principles, headlined by his belief that “God is real” and followed by the statement “There are two genders.” He first gained widespread attention with his 2021 book, “Woke Inc: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam,” in which he criticizes corporations for allegedly leveraging social justice issues for selfish reasons.

Frequently appearing on Fox News and other conservative channels, he advocates capitalism and meritocracy while opposing affirmative action, mask mandates, and open borders. His political positions include anti-abortion stances and the belief that gender dysphoria should be treated as a mental disorder. He has voiced support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Ramaswamy’s faith has been a significant aspect of his campaign strategy as he seeks to connect with evangelical Christians within the GOP. He asserts that his religion has much in common with the Judeo-Christian values foundational to the U.S., declaring himself an unwavering advocate of religious freedom.

Despite doubts about his appeal to conservative Christian voters, Ramaswamy emphasizes his compatibility with people of various faiths, contrasting them with those without any religious beliefs.

Born to Indian immigrants and raised in Cincinnati, Ramaswamy grew up speaking Tamil and practicing Hindu rituals at home. Alongside his wife, Apoorva, he plans to raise their two children in the Hindu tradition. His Christian influences, including attending St. Xavier Catholic High School, contributed to his anti-abortion views and work ethic.

While his Hindu values have resonated with Christian and Jewish audiences, some Christians, like pro-Trump pastor Hank Kunneman, have criticized his faith. However, Ramaswamy dismisses such perspectives as unreflective of most U.S. Christians and continues to draw support from influential Christian leaders like Bob Vander Plaats.

Although Ramaswamy’s Hindu faith may not align perfectly with some Christian voters’ expectations, his values and stances offer a preferable alternative to other political figures for many conservative Christians.

Meanwhile, Hindu and Indian Americans, often leaning Democratic and progressive, are divided on Ramaswamy’s candidacy. Some are concerned by his attempts to align Hindu teachings closely with Christian beliefs and his conservative views on social issues.

Ramaswamy’s candidacy marks a significant shift in American politics, showing increased acceptance of non-Christian faiths in political spheres. Despite his uphill battle due to general unfamiliarity with Hinduism, he represents political diversification within the Hindu community and serves as an inspiration for younger generations.

According to Vander Plaats, the key to Ramaswamy’s ongoing success will be his ability to distinguish himself from other GOP leaders. Comparing him to Queen Esther from the Bible, Vander Plaats emphasizes that Ramaswamy needs to prove why this is his defining moment.

Ramaswamy’s candidacy symbolizes not only the growing diversity within American politics but also within the Republican party, challenging the traditional boundaries of faith and belief in the U.S. political landscape.

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