Unbaptized: Why I Left Christianity & Returned to My Hindu Roots | Esther Dhanraj | HUA Webinar

_______________ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Welcome 00:37 – Introducing “Unbaptized: Why I Left Christianity and Returned to My Roots” 01:03 – Esther Dhanraj’s Journey from Christianity to Hinduism 01:43 – Religious Identity, Tradition & Belonging 03:22 – Esther Dhanraj Introduces Her Story and Book 04:39 – Why Esther Wrote “Unbaptized” 05:14 – Understanding Religious Conversion 06:18 – The 10-Year Journey Behind the Book 07:35 – Why the Book Was Written Now 09:32 – Hindu Renaissance & Reclaiming Hindu Identity 10:54 – Esther’s Experience at the Jaipur Dialogues Summit 15:21 – “Conversion Is Violence”: Understanding the Argument 17:52 – How Religious Conversion Impacted Esther’s Family 18:31 – The Psychological & Emotional Dimensions of Conversion 19:38 – Vulnerability, Crisis & Religious Conversion 22:10 – Esther’s Hindu Family Background 23:51 – How Christianity Entered Esther’s Family 25:47 – Crisis, Missionary Intervention & Conversion 27:10 – How Esther’s Family Became Christian 28:15 – Seven Conversion Stories Within One Family 31:22 – Esther’s 25 Years as a Christian 31:57 – Studying at Seminary to Become a Christian Apologist 33:30 – A Difficult Conversation with Her Father 36:24 – Esther’s Father Questions His Conversion 39:51 – Doubt, Faith & Esther’s State of Mind 41:41 – Defending Christianity During Her Father’s Final Days 43:21 – From Christian Theology to a Crisis of Faith 45:01 – Why Seminary Led Esther Away From Christianity 46:38 – Examining Christianity Through Academic Study 48:30 – The Beginning of Esther’s Doubts 50:02 – Questions About the Bible, Errors & Inconsistencies 52:15 – The Unraveling of Esther’s Christian Faith 53:32 – Other Examples of Doubt Among Christian Scholars 56:24 – Hinduism, Questioning & Freedom of Thought 57:13 – Hinduism, Religious Diversity & Conversion 59:20 – Closing Reflections on Esther’s Journey 01:00:06 – Esther’s Return to Hinduism 01:01:01 – Encouragement to Read “Unbaptized” 01:03:52 – Audience Questions & Closing Discussion 01:04:17 – Christianity, Islam & Religious Conversion 01:06:30 – Friends of HUA & Community Engagement 01:07:56 – HUA’s Mission & Building Hindu Academic Institutions 01:09:37 – Supporting HUA & Friends of HUA 01:09:49 – Final Thanks & Namaste ______________ What happens when a deeply committed Christian begins questioning her faith and discovers a path back to her Hindu roots? In this powerful and deeply personal HUA webinar, Esther Dhanraj, author of Unbaptized: Why I Left Christianity and Returned to My Roots, shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a Hindu family, spending more than two decades as a committed Christian, and pursuing a Master of Divinity in Christian theology to ultimately returning to Sanatana Dharma. Esther reflects on religious conversion, faith and doubt, spiritual identity, cultural heritage, family, and the intellectual process that shaped her return to Hinduism. She also discusses how her experience in seminary encouraged her to critically examine Christian history, scripture, and theology. The conversation explores important questions about religion, conversion, Hindu identity, tradition, belonging, and the freedom to question one's beliefs. Watch the full webinar to hear Esther Dhanraj’s extraordinary story and her perspective on reclaiming one's cultural and spiritual roots. 📚 Explore HUA Courses: https://www.hua.edu/academics/courses/ Topics Covered: • Esther Dhanraj's journey from Christianity back to Hinduism • Unbaptized: Why I Left Christianity and Returned to My Roots • Religious conversion and identity • Faith, doubt, and questioning • Hindu roots and Sanatana Dharma • Christianity and theological studies • Religious and cultural heritage • Family, tradition, and belonging • Hindu education and intellectual engagement About Hindu University of America (HUA): Hindu University of America is a U.S.-based institution dedicated to the study of Hindu philosophy, Sanskrit, and Vedic knowledge systems. Through certificate, master's, and doctoral programs, HUA provides opportunities for learners to explore Hindu thought, culture, and traditions through academic and experiential learning. 📍 Based in Groveland, Florida | Est. 1989 🎓 Explore HUA Programs: Master of Arts in Hindu Studies Master of Arts in Sanskrit & Vedic Studies (MSV) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hindu Studies Certificate Program in Hindu Studies (CPHS) 📱 Connect With Us: Instagram:   / studyathua   Facebook:   / studyathua   LinkedIn:   / hindu-university-of-america   Website: https://www.hua.edu/ #esther #hinduism #sanatanadharma #religiousconversion #spiritualjourney #hinduidentity #faithanddoubt #hinduphilosophy #religiousidentity #hinduheritage #HUA