Mainstream Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma)
Mainstream Hinduism — the world's third-largest religion — is a low-CLCI reference point. Extraordinarily diverse without central authority, sacred texts, or unified theology. Specific high-control guru-led movements covered separately.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
+1 for caste-system social pressures historically embedded in some lineages; net very low.
Profile facts
In context
Hinduism encompasses Vedic, Bhakti, Tantric, philosophical (Vedanta, Yoga), and devotional (Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta) traditions across an enormous range. There is no central authority, no single sacred text, no required initiation, and no formal exit. Caste-related social pressure is a separate sociological reality. Specific high-control guru-led organisations (Sahaja Yoga, Sai Baba, certain ISKCON contexts, Brahma Kumaris) are covered separately.
Key control doctrines
- No single doctrinal authority
- Karma and dharma as ethical concepts
- Personal choice of ishta-devata (chosen deity)
Recovery resources
- ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) — General referral and cult-aware therapist directory.
- INFORM (Information Network on Religious Movements) — LSE-founded UK research-based information service covering new religious movements.
- Freedom of Mind Resource Center — Steven Hassan's organisation; BITE-model resources and family-side exit guidance.
See the full curated list at /resources.
Legal cases & controversies
- Caste-related Indian constitutional and social debates (separate from religious doctrine)
This profile is in progress — history, deeper BITE evidence and survivor voices are still being added. Contributions welcome via GitHub.
Timeline
- AncientVedic period (c. 1500–500 BCE)
- ClassicalMahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita compiled
- 8th c.Adi Shankara systematises Advaita Vedanta
- 20th c.Modern reform movements; global diaspora expansion
Sources
- Wendy Doniger, 'The Hindus: An Alternative History' (2009) search ↗
- Gavin Flood, 'An Introduction to Hinduism' (1996) search ↗
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Where a source includes its own URL, the open ↗ link opens it directly; otherwise search ↗ runs a Google Scholar query for the cited title — useful for verifying academic sources. For news outlets, search the outlet's own archive.
Change history
Substantive edits logged per the score-updates policy.
- 2026-05-29Phase 1 Batch J: per-group recovery resources applied via programmatic palette (closest-fit by category + subCategory + score). Palette: Mainstream-comparator lighter.
- 2026-05-20Score band scheme migrated from 4 bands to 5 (Minimal 0–5 / Low 6–12 / Moderate 13–20 / High 21–30 / Extreme 31–40). No CLCI value changed; the new Minimal band was carved out of the bottom of the previous Low band.
Key terms in this profile
Relevant hubs
Curated entry points on CLCI Hub for situations connected to this group.
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