Why Hinduism is not a religion and Hindus cannot be united

The word Hindu is not a Sanskrit or Prakrit word. This word was never used in any literature before 13th century. The word Hindu is a persian word, and in early days, it used to define people living around Indus (Sindhu) river. It was a geographical identity. Later after Arab Invasion, it started being used as religious identity for all non mohammadian people.

The word religion is a western concept. The religion means, peritcular system of faith and beliefs which worship of a super human, controlling power, especially a personal God(s).

Normally a religion have a specific book, which guides that sepcific religion. Some principales and rituals which bind them together and God(s) which people worship. All these three things are homogenous for that particular religion and hence they form a homogenous religious group whose belives are common. 

Now come to so-called Hindu religion. A perosn who belive in one God or many God or no God at all, still can be a hindu. Hindus do not have a specific book, which they should follow. An array of books are available. Most of these books are like like a story and not like a principles or rules.  A person is free to draw his own conclusion out of them. These books are often contradict each other

We are still adding more books and Gods. Hanuman Chalisa was added in 15th century and Santoshi Mata was added in 19th century. In this century also one can hear new Gods appearing in form of local Gods.

Let us come to rituals now. You can be a hindu if you don't eat anything which is grown under the ground, you can be Hindu if you eat meat and still be a hindu if you eat dead human meat (Aghories). Just for a change from serious topic, let us come to much hyped word cow meat. You can be hindu if you worship a cow  and if you you eat a cow, you can still be a hindu. Some hindus living in southern and north east eat cow meat and still as good a hindu as any one else. You can be a Hindu if you do not marry in your own gotra and even in ur maternal gotra. You are still a Hindu even if you marry with in family. From monogamy to Polygamy (both for male and female) to brahamcharya is allowed in hinduism.

Hindu philosophy varies to the extremes. For example one philosophy says that you should not collect more then your minimum requirement and live life like a bird whereas other says that you must enjoy your life to its fullest even if you have to take loan for it, bacause loan can't be recovered after death. 

यावज्जीवेत सुखं जीवेद ऋणं कृत्वा घृतं पिवेत, भस्मीभूतस्य देहस्य पुनरागमनं कुतः ॥

Yet another philosophy says that you have to repay for ur deeds in next birth or in Yamlok (Dead World).

Problem arises when we try to compare Dharm with religion.

"धारयति इति धर्मः"

The word "dharma" is derived from verb "dhaaraNa"(beholds)

Dharm holds your values, your character and truth together. Now all these can be different for different people. The Dharm of Scorpio is to  bite and Dharam of a father is to protect and provide. Both are true to there Dharam in there deeds and neither of them is wrong.

We are from Santana Dharma. Literally meaning of Sanatan is forever. But Atharvaved gave a new and interesting defination to the word.

सनातनमेनमहुरुताद्या स्यात पुनण्रव्

Meaning Santan, which can be renewed every day.

These two defination provide the true essence of Sanatan Dharam. Something which is forever but ever evolving.

This created a class of people who are seekers and not belivers, as in the case of other religions.  Sanatan Dharam allow you to question anyone including Gods and Gurus and seek your own path as per your understanding. 

This is the main reason that Hindus can't and never be united. Every person or group of people have there own belief system as per there understating and opinion. This is the beauty of Sanatana Dharma that we refuse to have a herd mentality. This has been developed by our ancestor is thousands of years.

I have tried to put fourth my understanding and as per our philosophy you can have your understanding. 

।। सं गच्छध्वम् सं वदध्वम्।। (ऋग्वेद 10.181.2)

Stay together speak together and follow the Sanatan Path followed by our ancestors. ( Rig Ved. 10.181.2)