29 Nov 07
I recently finished reading a Biography of Mahatma Gandhi (The Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Louise Fischer) and as of 5 minutes ago have also watched the movie with Ben Kingsley also (Great movie! Watch it, though it really doesn't scratch the surface of this remarkable mans achievements!)
I am interested to know what peoples views are regarding this Saint?
Personally, i have never cried so much in my life! Two specific episodes in his life touched me in particular, his 'salt march' and his 'fast unto death'. How can it be possible in this modern age (modern compared to Jesus's day anyway) that one man can capture the hearts of so many with his unshaking compassion?
For those who are unfamiliar with 'the story', during the separation of India and Pakistan, Hindus and Muslims massacred each other. There were approx 20 million people displaced and 1.5 million killed in sectarian violence. Gandhi undertook to fast "unto death" unless the violence stopped and the two sides vowed to renounce violence. Such was the love people had for this man, they actually stopped! Hundreds of millions of people being wrenched apart by a political H-bomb, forced from their homes, some had had loved ones killed, etc... and they stopped to try and save one mans life. It brings me to tears just thinking about it. What i would do to leave the World 0.00000001% as better off as this man did! It makes my life feel like such a waste! :'(
Well this is my thank you to Mahatma Gandhi! May you rest in peace. I take your life as a lesson. Someday i hope i can follow your example.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by MarinkatombWhat do you think Ghandi and Christ had in common? How do you think they differed?
I recently finished reading a Biography of Mahatma Gandhi (The Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Louise Fischer) and as of 5 minutes ago have also watched the movie with Ben Kingsley also (Great movie! Watch it, though it really doesn't scratch the surface of this remarkable mans achievements!)
I am interested to know what peoples views are regarding this Sai ...[text shortened]... est in peace. I take your life as a lesson. Someday i hope i can follow your example.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by whodeyI think there are striking similarities between them. Personally i think Gandhi took Jesus as a role model, i know he certainly studied Christianity as many of his close friends were Christian missionaries.
What do you think Ghandi and Christ had in common? How do you think they differed?
Gandhi took the problems of the people upon himself as if they were his own. After he returned from his many years in South Africa (where he stood up for Indian rights in the birth pangs of Apartheid) he travelled extensively across India. Having trained as a Lawyer, he realised that the vast majority of Indians were illiterate and impoverished. The Independence movement was largely made up of educated rich Indians who were totally separated from the reality of every day Indian life. He took it upon himself to live as the peasants do. He spun his own clothes, reared livestock and crops. He truly made everyone his equal, having as much time for a poor peasant child with a cut finger as he had for any Statesman or official. Christ had this quality too. There are many passages i remember from the Bible (can't name them i'm afraid, it's been many years since i read it) were Jesus is surrounded by his disciples and followers. They are competing for his attention, some wish him to lead the Jews against the Romans, some want him to do this or that, but he cuts right through the mania surrounding him, avoids letting it all go to his head and his ego and finds the lowliest person who needs him most at that particular moment. Gandhi was idolised in the same way Jesus was, the streets were filled with followers where ever he went, but it never went to his head. His thoughts were always on what he could do that was positive. He never sacrificed the needs of any individual 'for thee greater good' putting some sort of value on his time. He simply made more time. His energy was quite simply boundless, even in old age.
I could go on (and probably will...) but i'm interested on other peoples thoughts.
It was said that Christ would rise again some day. How many Christians would get upset if i suggested that he did, and this little Indian Hindu was that very resurrection...? Does Christianity have some hidden racist undertones to it (don't take this the wrong way people) that doesn't allow us to consider a Brown Jesus? Would the son of God not choose to take sides with the downtrodden today in exactly the same way he did 2000 years ago?
29 Nov 07
4 edits
Originally posted by MarinkatombThose were all very insightful similarities. However, there are also many differences. Therefore, I would not say that Ghandi was Christ ressurected. In fact, Ghandi did not even claim to be Christ nor hinted of it in any way. This view has nothing to do with the color of his skin either. In fact, Jesus was a Jew. I doubt very much that he was a "white" man as most invision him to be.
It was said that Christ would rise again some day. How many Christians would get upset if i suggested that he did, and this little Indian Hindu was that very resurrection...? Does Christianity have some hidden racist undertones to it (don't take this the wrong way people) that doesn't allow us to consider a Brown Jesus? Would the son of God not choose to take sides with the downtrodden today in exactly the same way he did 2000 years ago?[/b]
Having said that, lets look at differences between the two. What were their respective battles? Was not Ghandi's battle for political reformation? What about Christ? Did he not say that his kingdom is not of this world? As I recall he did not advocate an uprising against the Roman Empire even though it was arguably more hostil and oppressive that the British empires reign over India. In fact, did he not advocate rendering to Ceaser what is Ceasers? In other words, Christ did not instigate political upheaval in any way as where Ghandi did. However, make no mistake about it, both used aggressive tactics, therefore, I would not call either a true pacivist. For example, Ghandi instigated strikes in India and basically crippled the economic structure within India which brought the British occupying powers to their knees. They tried in vien to use violence to counter this sentiment but to no avail and they were forced out. Conversly, Christ confronted the religious leaders of his day and publically challenged them. They were then faced with being exposed for what they were and they then had a decision to make. Will they continue to let this man erode their power and influence over the general population while he was gaining followers of his own or kill him?
I think the differences lie in what they both were fighting for. Christ's battle was a spiritual one as where Ghandi's battle was for political reformation. For example, Christ chased the money changers out of the temple with a whip because he said they were difiling his Fathers house of prayer and had made it into a den of theives. Can you see Ghandi doing this? I can't.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by MarinkatombOne of my favorite quotes was from Gandhi. I saw this on a bumper sticker once:
I recently finished reading a Biography of Mahatma Gandhi (The Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Louise Fischer) and as of 5 minutes ago have also watched the movie with Ben Kingsley also (Great movie! Watch it, though it really doesn't scratch the surface of this remarkable mans achievements!)
I am interested to know what peoples views are regarding this Sai ...[text shortened]... est in peace. I take your life as a lesson. Someday i hope i can follow your example.
"I do not reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It is just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Ouch! 🙂
30 Nov 07
Originally posted by epiphinehasYour right, that does hurt.
One of my favorite quotes was from Gandhi. I saw this on a bumper sticker once:
"I do not reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It is just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Ouch! 🙂
Ok, now I'm going to have to go on a 40 day fast or hunger strike or something!!
30 Nov 07
Originally posted by epiphinehasAs a christian, I love that quote! It sort of puts everything in perspective. Of course, we can't actually be like christ, but that is beside the point; often, we just don't try hard enough!
One of my favorite quotes was from Gandhi. I saw this on a bumper sticker once:
"I do not reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It is just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Ouch! 🙂
30 Nov 07
1 edit
Originally posted by epiphinehasThat is my guess. I think the average conception of a modern day Christian is someone who does not actually follow Christ's teachings, rather, it is someone who merely professes to believe in him as the Son of God.
Perhaps Mr. Gandhi was speaking more about the Christlike characteristics of kindness and humility in this instance? I'm not sure.