I have a new record time for writing a five-paragraph essay: One hour. For anyone who's interested, here's a copy.
A Christian Gandhi? Many would be surprised to learn that Mahatma Gandhi taught Christian principles as well as Hindu, even though he didn’t belong to any religion other than Hinduism. Gandhi’s methods work so well because they are what many religions are commanded to do, yet it does not address any religion specifically. When one’s enemy is doing what their religion says is right and one is doing what their religion says is wrong, fighting them seems hypocritical and evil. Even though Gandhi was Hindu, he used many Christian principles, such as non-violence, that all people are God’s children and love to fight against the British rule.
“And eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” This is one of Gandhi’s most famous quotes, yet the phrase “an eye for an eye” is not originally his. It comes from the bible, in Matthew 5:38 (Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.). In verse thirty nine, Jesus goes on to say “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Gandhi interpreted this to mean that to get what you want, you need to let your enemy hurt you. Gandhi was not violent to get what he wanted; he was not violent at all. This proved most effective, since to the British people who had been taught the same principle, hurting those people who were unwilling to fight back but rather turned the other cheek as was the morally right thing seemed monstrous. Hurting obedient children of God is horrible.
Gandhi believed that all people are children of God. Many Christians often believe this too. Some young children sing the song “I Am A Child Of God”. The lyrics to the song are: I am a child of God, and He has sent me here, has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday. Believing that all are children of God makes one see that each individual is worth something and has potential to be a perfect being. This belief makes everyone brothers and sisters and encourages love.
Love was at the very core of Gandhi’s beliefs and teachings. Love for all people and things makes one want to make the world a good place and to be a friendly person. A desire to be virtuous grows proportionally to love. If you love someone, you want to be your best for them and treat them well. Love was what inspired non-violence, it’s a desire to treat everyone not as they are, but as they could be (in a positive way). Love connects all peaceful and good things in the world.
Gandhi used non-violence, the belief that all people are children of God and love to unite India in a peaceful protest to the grand injustices that were placed upon them. He was an example to all people, no matter what their religion and is a teacher around whose teachings someday all could rally around, and, at last, achieve world peace.
