Nidhika’s writings and articles

Note: These are just intuitive thoughts based on the latest news from Rome. It is not meant to hurt anyone’s beliefs or traditions. It’s just time to ask, so let’s just see and understand. We apologize if it hurts your religious or other sentiments. It is not meant to hurt anyones religious or other beliefs. The article just wants to see what is upto in other religions.

Pope excommunicated a Catholic group, the SSPX. Diversity in religion? Are or should Old Beliefs and Cultures be intact in today’s world?

Pope Leo XIV’s sent warnings to priests and members of a breakaway Catholic group SSPX that had ordained four new bishops in defiance of his wishes [3]. It is the Pope’s decision to take the orders for Catholic. Lets see why SSPX separated? We consider what major religions of world follow today, just to know what is happening in the world.

Let’s just have a quick review of where diversity exists in today’s world.

Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), an ultra-traditionalist group, as per [3], has now been excommunicated and are in schism. SSPX has hundreds of thousands of followers. It’s not a matter of a few people’s beliefs but of a huge community.

As per [3], “SSPX was founded in 1970 in Europe by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and was officially suppressed by the Bishop of Fribourg. In 1988, the group ordained four bishops without papal approval, which led to their excommunication.”

SSPX is concerned with the following, among other differences as per [3]:

1. “Reforms to Catholic worship, such as celebrating Mass in languages other than Latin, among other.” [3]

2. “Opposition to church reforms introduced in the 1960s by the Second Vatican Council.” [3]

Now lets see the following:

I. Is diversity maintained in religions?

II. Is tradition still intact in religions?

III. Are old traditions modified with modernization?

IV. Do we have followers of old traditions in some of the popular religions?

V. Should we change with time?

VI. Should people decide here? Or anything you can think of?

V. Should we continue as we used to?

VI. Why should traditions change? Just like modernization changed the way we email?

Some of the most popular religions are here, with their traditional viewpoints.

Hinduism

If we consider Hinduism, there is indeed great diversity within the religion. It lacks a central governing authority, and no one is forced to follow a particular path. Some major diversities in Hinduism are:

1. Devotees of Lord Shiva, (Shaivism)

2. Some are devotees of Lord Vishnu and his avatars, (Vaishnavism)

3. While others are followers of the mighty power of Goddess Durga, also called Shakti (Power), (Shaktism)

4. Some worship all Hindu Gods.

Still, as per Wikipedia, Hinduism has been called one of the oldest religions in the world. It is maintained by its followers through rituals and righteous living, as mentioned in the epics and the Vedas.

The major Hindu scriptures are the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Mahabharata (including the Bhagavad Gita), and the Ramayana.

Traditional Hinduism is till intact in its diversity. Though some priests do add modern clauses while conducting rituals.

Buddhism

As per [1] Buddhism has abundant diversity. Rooted in the core teachings of the historical Buddha in the 5th century BC, Buddhism has adapted to many cultures across the world. It has modern social practices as well as traditional preservation. Buddhism across world, especially in East and South Asia has the following primary divergence:

1. Theravāda

2. Mahāyāna

3. Vajrayāna

With modernization and its tools, Buddhism spread globally, in new forms as per [2]. Traditional Buddhism is absolutely still intact. Buddhism exists as traditional form as well as in a modernized version, which is dynamically changing to changing times.

In many parts of Asia, such as Thailand, ancient practises are preserved. Traditional Buddhism remains part of daily life, with its rules still holding strong for many across parts of Asia. Many monasteries preserve their ancient cultural traditions.

Modernization has created a parallel stream of beliefs and practices.

Christianity

Major diverse segments

1. Roman Catholicism
2. Protestantism
3. Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy

Christians have theological viewpoints, ranging from conservative, traditional to progressive and liberal. As per Wikipedia, Christianity has adapted to the distinct cultures it encountered, resulting in regional diversity that persists today.

But are old traditions intact? I will cover Orthodoxy some other time.

Islam

Islam is a globally diverse faith.

Core Branches and Sects

1. Sunni

2. Shia

3. Sufism

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, Islam maintains its foundational theological and essential traditions while adopting some regionally based adaptations, as seen in certain architectural styles.

References

[1] https://share.google/bSw2WQPEUSGW3k4rj

[2] https://share.google/y2SFlUpXmj14c860s

[3] https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/02/europe/vatican-excommunicates-breakaway-catholic-group-intl