A Book “Review”: Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam (by Fouad Elias Accad)
Tag: spiritual unity
Gandhi and Christ: What Did Jesus Mean to Gandhi?
Article Title: Gandhi and Christ: What Did Jesus Mean to Gandhi?
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Gandhi, Jesus, Christianity, faith, peace, pursuit of peace, beliefs, spiritual, spiritual unity, religion, unity of religion/s, spiritual growth
Web Sites: http://www.geocities.com/orthopapism/gandhi.html + http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620072944AAmRmHq
Submitter’s web sites http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lockhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://peacepursuit.wordpress.com/
http://breakdownwalls.wordpress.com/
www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com
http://drmartinlutherking.wordpress.com/
www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.religiousunity.wordpress.com
and his various other blogs are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/craigs-blogs-and-writings/. Obsessive or WHAT!
Other Articles by Craig are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
Publishing Guidelines:
All my writings may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
GANDHI AND CHRIST
Submitter’s Note:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions and faiths (to attempt to find ‘common ground’/principles) and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in the spirit of ‘enlightening’ (himself and perhaps others) regarding ‘eternal and universal truths.’ Hope this piece may be of interest to you too (as well as perhaps promoting more understanding of other faiths…as in sharing, I learn too!
*
What did Jesus mean to Gandhi? Did he have any influence on Gandhi’s life and teaching? What according to Gandhi was the essence of Christ’s message? Was Gandhi a ‘secret Christian’? What is the challenge that Gandhi presents to Christians and Christianity today?
Answers to these questions may be found in a recent book, ‘Gandhi and Christianity’ edited by Robert Ellsberg and published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York 10545. This book is an anthology of the speeches and writings of Gandhi on the subject as well as responses to Gandhi’s challenge by various Christian scholars. It should be a valuable reference book on the ongoing dialogue between Christians and representatives of other religions.
Early in his life, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had been reading the Bible to keep a promise he had made to a friend. He found the Old Testament extremely difficult going. He disliked the Book of Numbers. But the New Testament produced a different impression, especially the Sermon on the Mount which went straight to his heart. The passion of Jesus Christ moved Gandhi greatly. The verses about not resisting evil but offering the other cheek and giving the cloak to one who asked for one’s coat delighted him beyond measure. They reminded him about something he had learned in his childhood about returning with gladness good for evil done.
“I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith“, Gandhi told Millie Polak, the wife of one of his earliest disciples. “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…”
However, on another occasion, he said he could accept Jesus “as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the Cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart could not accept”.
“The message of Jesus as I understand it”, said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole… If then I had to face only the Sermon on the Mount and my own interpretation of it, I should not hesitate to say, ‘Oh, yes, I am a Christian.’ But negatively I can tell you that in my humble opinion, what passes as Christianity is a negation of the Sermon on the Mount… I am speaking of the Christian belief, of Christianity as it is understood in the west.”
Gandhi could speak beautifully about the message and personality of Jesus. Talking about the Gospel passage of the rich young man, he said, “St. Mark has vividly described the scene. Jesus is in his solemn mood. He is earnest. He talks about eternity. He knows the world about him. He is himself the greatest economist of his time. He succeeded in sermonising time and space – He transcends them. It is to him at the best that one comes running, kneels down and asks, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him, “One thing thou lackest. Go thy way, sell what thou hast and give it to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven – come, take up the cross and follow me.” Here you have an eternal rule of life stated in the noblest words the English language is capable of producing.” Gandhi went on to say that he could quote even stronger passages from the Hindu scriptures and the lesson he wanted to draw was that if we could clean our houses, palaces an
Poverty, suffering, the Cross, non-violence, morality – all these were part of the Kingdom of God. But for Gandhi what struck him most in the Sermon on the Mount was Christ’s teaching on non-retaliation, or non-resistance to evil. “Of all the things I have read what remained with me forever was that Jesus came almost to give a new law – not an eye for an eye, but to receive two blows when only one was given, and to go two miles when they were asked to go one. I came to see that the Sermon on the Mount was the whole of Christianity for him who wanted to live a Christian life. It is that sermon that has endeared Jesus to me.”
“Jesus occupies in my heart,” said Gandhi, “the place of one of the greatest teachers who have had a considerable influence on my life. I shall say to the Hindus that your life will be incomplete, unless you reverentially study the teachings of Jesus… Make this world the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything will be added unto you. I tell you that if you will understand, appreciate, and act up to the spirit of this passage, you won’t need to know what place Jesus or any other teacher occupies in your heart.”
For Gandhi, Jesus was the prince of ‘Satyagrahists’.* “The example of Jesus suffering is a factor in the composition of my undying faith in non-violence. What then does Jesus mean to me? To me, He was one of the greatest teachers humanity has ever had.” For Gandhi, to say that Jesus was the only begotten son of God was to say that “in Jesus’ own life was the key of his nearness to God, that he expressed as no other could, the spirit and will of God… I do believe that something of the spirit that Jesus exemplified in the highest measure, in its most profound human sense exist… If I did not believe it, I should be a sceptic, and to be a sceptic is to live a life that is empty and lacking moral content. Or, what is the same thing, to condemn the human race to a negative end.”
* I think the word literally means ‘soul-force’
Gandhi believed that in every man there was an impulse for good and a compassion that is the spark of divinity, that will one day burst into the full flower that is the hope of all mankind. An example of this flowering, he said, may be found in the figure and in the life of Jesus. “I refuse to believe that there not exists or has ever existed a person that has not made use of his example to lessen his sins, even though he may have done so without realising it. The lives of all have, in some greater or lesser degree, been changed by His presence, His actions and the words spoken by His divine voice… I believe that he belongs not solely to Christianity, but to the entire world; to all races and people, it matters little under what flag, name or doctrine they may work, profess a faith or worship a God inherited from their ancestors.”
For Gandhi Jesus was the true ‘satyagrahist’, who passed the test of non-violence, even if he seemed to be otherwise a failure. “The virtues of mercy, non-violence, love and truth in any man can be truly tested when they are pitted against ruthlessness, violence, hate and untruth… This is the true test of Ahimsa… He who when being killed bears no anger against his murderer and even asks God to forgive him is truly non-violent. History relates this of Jesus Christ. With his dying breath on the Cross, he is reported to have said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what to do.”
According to the theory of ‘Satyagraha’, said Gandhi, an adequate appeal to the heart never fails. “Seeming failure is not of the law of ‘Satyagraha’, but of incompetence of the ‘Satyagrahist’ by whatever cause induced. The name of Jesus at once comes to the lips. It is an instance of brilliant failure. And he has been acclaimed in the west as the prince of passive resisters. I showed years ago in South Africa that the adjective ‘passive’ was a misnomer, at least as applied to Jesus. He was the most active resister known perhaps to history. His was non-violence par excellence.”
This article was directly sourced from http://www.geocities.com/orthopapism/gandhi.html + http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620072944AAmRmHq
(and I’m sharing these thoughts and ideas in a spirit of in some small way, promoting better understanding and dialogue between faiths…or at least trying (thanks!).
Also see an excellent article/link at https://sites.google.com/site/whoisthisjesus/gandhiandchristianity
“My life is my message.” – Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
“Ï love Christ, but am not so keen on his followers.” and/or “I would have been a follower of Christ, if it weren’t for the Christians!”
(Apparently, Gandhi was kicked out of a church during his time in South Africa)
Gandhi greatly admired Christ; God is not a religion. God is love. Religious tradition is the enemy of true spirituality. Seek God and shun religion. It is the only path to true peace with God.
“Religion divides; whereas truth unites.”
So after all that…
Isn’t WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
Find, then walk your OWN path to Highest Truth and be happy
Shared by craig
“I would like the British (military) to leave India as friends.”
PS: Former Archbishop in South Africa Desmond Tutu said these inspirational words: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe… because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.
In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love – one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)
About the submitter:
Craig likes (no loves) to share information and insights to encourage others to be all they are capable of being. He’d love to try to ‘build bridges’ (not metal or wooden ones, thank goodness!) between people, firmly believing that what we share is way more important than what divides us. In his life mission Craig hopes to encourage, motivate and inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials and live their very best lives. He believes in the great potential of every human being in the journey of life and loves to encourage people to share their individual (and guiding) spirits, so that they become all that they are CAPABLE of being
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lockhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://peacepursuit.wordpress.com/ www.sharefaith.wordpress.com
http://breakdownwalls.wordpress.com/
www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com
http://drmartinlutherking.wordpress.com/
www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.religiousunity.wordpress.com
and his various other blogs are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/craigs-blogs-and-writings/. Obsessive or WHAT!
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
~ Franz Kafka
Craig’s new manuscript, ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.
“A good book should take you from your everyday life to another place entirely.”
These thoughts may be published, electronically or in print (with acknowledgment to the source web sites, thanks)
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” – Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi once said to a group of missionaries: “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. BUT you treat it as nothing more than a piece of literature.”
When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, “Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?”
Gandhi replied, “Oh, I don’t reject Christ. I love Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ.”
“If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today,” he added.
from http://in.christiantoday.com/articledir/print.htm?id=2837
For more reading on Mahatma Gandhi and Christianity
See http://in.christiantoday.com/articledir/print.htm?id=2837 and
Gandhi’s message to Christians
Click on http://www.mkgandhi.org/africaneedsgandhi/gandhi%27s_message_to_christians.htm
“Let us look in the mirror of history*, heeding its lessons, then hold hands will all peoples in facing and heralding in a better future, a brighter tomorrow for all peoples around the globe.”
-craig
* that’s a metaphor, btw
“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our uniquenesses, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
“Lord,
Help lift our eyes a little higher.”
The Hidden Jesus (by Robert Beckford)
What are Some Key Similarities between Christianity and Islam?
What are Some Key Similarities between Christianity and Islam?
“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences, our unique cultures, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
– me
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
– author unknown
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
– craig
– craig
What are Some Key Similarities between Christianity and Islam?
Article Title: What are Some Key Similarities between Christianity and Islam?
Shared by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Christianity, Islam, religion, faith, beliefs, peace, spiritual, spiritual unity, breaking down barriers, building bridges
Web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.peacepursuit.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
http://religiousunity.wordpress.com
http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)
Publishing Guidelines:
All my writings may be freely published, electronically or in print.
# #
WHAT ARE SOME KEY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM?
Submitter’s Note:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions (to find ‘common ground’/principles/ and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ (himself and perhaps others) regarding ‘eternal and universal truths.’ These notes form part of Craig’s new novel set in the Middle East, titled ‘A New Dawn: Let the Journey Begin’. Hope this piece may be of interest to you too.
*
INTRODUCTION
The issue of RELIGION throughout history of mankind and today evermore plays a vital part in many conflicts around the world. Religion is (and was) often blamed as the cause of the conflicts; whereas it is/was people misusing religion for their own ends (often taking particular and significant interpretations out of context) that have shaped societies and cultures. I truly believe it’s critically important to emphasize the common values shared by different religions to drastically reduce tensions around the globe. So that religion (and it’s beliefs) can be turned around from being part of the conflict to be part of the SOLUTION. Instead of focusing on the differences between people, in this ‘battle of ideas/ideologies” we should focus far more on what we have in common.
So what are the foundations, what is the frame-work of the respective beliefs?
Most religions of the world espouse (nice word, eh!) good moral values as a code of conduct: the virtues of passion for liberalism, tolerance, compassion, decency and generous ideals. However, there is a fundamental doctrinal incompatibility between the major faiths of Islam and Christianity (though together with the Jews, they worship the God of Abraham). These three major religions share the common truth of the Old Testament, having many prophets in common and consequently have many “shared values” that have shaped societies over the past two millennia.
Whilst there are some major differences between Islam and Christianity, from my research (fascinating and mainly online) some of the fundamental similarities in beliefs between these two main religions (as well as Judaism) are as follows:
ISLAM
The main beliefs:
* There is only One True God: the Sovereign Ruler of the universe…
and has full control over our lives (and will meet all of our needs)
* God (Allah) is the Creator of everything and central to Muslims lives. Allah is simply beyond human thought and understanding.
* True believers are not to worship any other gods
* Allah’s goodness and benevolence is seen everywhere, because He is compassionate and merciful.
* Many Old Testament prophets were from God (ie. were sent by God as messengers to the world)
* Jesus’s strong sense of mission, unity and sense of purpose.
He was sent by God to serve humanity and being divinely inspired was a great moral teacher and prophet.
* God gave the Torah, the prophets, the Koran and the Gospel to guide our lives. ( I don’t know enough about Mohamed and his “divine destiny” to pass comment on his “mission”).
* We are to obey God’s words (as in the first five books of the Old Testament, the ‘Pentitukes’- spelling?)
* We should surrender/sacrifice ourselves fully to God
(in fact, the word ‘Islam” means ‘full submission to God’s will’)
* Jesus will return to earth one day (though in which form is uncertain). Though Jews do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah…
and I’m not sure on that point with Islam.
* Humans have free will and exercise a choice between doing good or evil in their daily lives.
* Humans only live once on this earth, then face judgment:
One day there will be a day of Judgment for how we’ve lived our lives.
* Believers who die will go to ‘heaven’ and live forever (though the concept of heaven is not precisely defined).
* Disbelievers will go to ‘hell’ (or suffer torment, which is ‘separation from God’ forever). Heaven or hell are written about in the Qur’an in poetic terms, ie. symbolic rather than actual places.
* It is important to pray to God frequently (Muslims do it five times a day) and attend a congregation at least once a week (usually mid-day on Fridays)
* We should have a spirit of charity and help the poor and those in a less fortunate position to ourselves (with money and/or works)
* A person’s allotted time on earth is predestined.
* All people are equal before the law.
and finally
* We should respect our differences and Christians, Jews, and Muslims should never be killed purely on account of their faith.
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CHRISTIANITY
Christianity and Islam are both missionary religions. Both faiths believe they have a monopoly over the truth. Both want to share their version of truth with others and both compete in seeking converts. I am motivated to share these “truths” with others, so people may benefit and enhance their lives in a meaningful way…if they so CHOOSE.
There IS a significant difference from Islam: Christianity exists solely on the basis that Jesus Christ is the ‘son of God’ (ie. the fact is taken literally); whereas the faith of Islam exists purely on the basis that God dictated his laws to Mohammed and that the Koran contains God’s actual words. Most “informed” Christians, however, do not believe the Koran is the un-intermediated word of God. Most followers of Christ know very little about Mohammed being perceived as a ‘messenger of God.’ They can, therefore, only think that Mohammed was deluded, if not a liar. (Of course, most Christians are far too polite to say such a thing!).
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the son of God/God incarnate (“the human face of God”) and that he dies on a cross to reconcile mankind and God. Then he was resurrected after three days and now lives in heaven. The gospel message teaches that reconciliation with God is to be found through the redemptive work of Jesus only.
Good works as “entry” to heaven count for nothing, in the absence of acceptance of Jesus.
And as regards Christianity, it’s the notion of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one), which rationalists find to be the most implausible aspect of Christianity. If Jesus was not the Son of God, then he too was deluded, crazy … or perhaps even a “liar”. And if he – as opposed to He – was either of those things, then the Resurrection is also a lie and Christianity, as a faith rather than as a philosophy is utterly null and void.
Christianity is based on the concept of FAITH and God’s Infinite Grace. We are “saved for eternity” (so our soul lives on) through our faith in Jesus and are not solely judged for the ‘hereafter’ by our good works during our lifetime. (And these good works are inspired by our faith and the ‘divine spirit’ at work through God’s Infinite Grace). This is a battle of ideas. Cardinal Ratzenberger: “Islam simply does not have the separation of the political and religious spheres which Christianity had from the very beginning. The Koran… insists that the whole order of life be Islamic (ie. no separation of religion/church and state). One must understand that Islam is not simply a denomination that can be included in the free realm of a pluralistic society.”
True Muslims cannot accept either the separation of powers or the freedom under the law (ie. “democracy”), which are the hallmarks of Western civilization.
* extracted from an article (excellent) in ‘The Independent’ by Dominic Lawson.
As we are what we believe yourself to be (You are what YOU believe), I believe that Jesus genuinely believed himself to be a ‘Son of God’, divinely ordained with a specific mission, a unique purpose which he CHOSE to fulfil in his short life. Christians say that the tradition of Jesus of Nazareth points us to a new life and new thoughts, as well as new possibilities… as a community and as a nation. Still you may or may not CHOOSE to believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings as YOUR pathway to connect to God, a Higher Power, ‘the Ground of all Being, the Essence of Existence’, your spiritual self.
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Whilst we can celebrate our differences, we should love God (whatever we understand the concept to be) with all our hearts, minds and souls and our neighbour as we love ourselves (common teachings from both faiths of Islam and Christianity). Simple, eh!
It’s not such a matter of conflicting ideologies, the great ‘battle of civilizations’ is it?
So
Isn’t WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!
and
God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.
Craig Lock
Former Archbishop in South Africa Desmond Tutu: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– J.Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe…
because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.
In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love – one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
“What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other… and how we live. Only when we can say, ‘I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi’ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh…’ will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. “
“Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together…in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a shared personhood – our common humanity as citizens of planet earth.”
– craig
“God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
“Let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
– me
About the submitter:
Craig is “a passionate ‘extremist’ about respect for religious tolerance and moderation”. In his various writings little by little, one mind, one heart, one soul, one small step at a time, Craig hopes to promote better understanding across countries and cultures, striving in some small way to break down economic, social, cultural, religious and political barriers. He truly believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share in the form of our common humanity is way more important than what divides us. http://www.craiglockbooks.comhttp://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/craig_lock.html
Craig’s new manuscript ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.
Craig’s booklet ‘Jesus Meets Muhammad’ is available at http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Meets-Muhammad-Real-ebook/dp/B005H86TPU/
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” (including his books on Jesus and his numerous e-books on “the spiritual journey”) are available at: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstores”
“A good book should take you from your everyday life to another place entirely.”
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.peacepursuit.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com
www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
http://religiousunity.wordpress.com
http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
-me
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED, electronically or in print
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
– author unknown
Gandhi and Christ: What Did Jesus Mean to Gandhi?
Article Title: Gandhi and Christ: What Did Jesus Mean to Gandhi?
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Gandhi, Jesus, Christianity, faith, peace, pursuit of peace, beliefs, spiritual, spiritual unity, religion, unity of religion/s, spiritual growth
Web Sites: http://www.geocities.com/orthopapism/gandhi.html + http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620072944AAmRmHq
Submitter’s web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://nzwriter.blogtown.co.nz/http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/craigs-blogs-and-writings/ www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com and www.religiousunity.wordpress.com .
Other Articles by Craig are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
Publishing Guidelines:
All my writings may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
GANDHI AND CHRIST
Submitter’s Note:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions and faiths (to attempt to find ‘common ground’/principles) and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in the spirit of ‘enlightening’ (himself and perhaps others) regarding ‘eternal and universal truths.’ Hope this piece may be of interest to you too (as well as perhaps promoting more understanding of other faiths…as in sharing, I learn too!
* What did Jesus mean to Gandhi? Did he have any influence on Gandhi’s life and teaching? What according to Gandhi was the essence of Christ’s message? Was Gandhi a ‘secret Christian’? What is the challenge that Gandhi presents to Christians and Christianity today?
Answers to these questions may be found in a recent book, ‘Gandhi and Christianity’ edited by Robert Ellsberg and published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York 10545. This book is an anthology of the speeches and writings of Gandhi on the subject as well as responses to Gandhi’s challenge by various Christian scholars. It should be a valuable reference book on the ongoing dialogue between Christians and representatives of other religions.
Early in his life, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had been reading the Bible to keep a promise he had made to a friend. He found the Old Testament extremely difficult going. He disliked the Book of Numbers. But the New Testament produced a different impression, especially the Sermon on the Mount which went straight to his heart. The passion of Jesus Christ moved Gandhi greatly. The verses about not resisting evil but offering the other cheek and giving the cloak to one who asked for one’s coat delighted him beyond measure. They reminded him about something he had learned in his childhood about returning with gladness good for evil done.
“I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith“, Gandhi told Millie Polak, the wife of one of his earliest disciples. “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…”
However, on another occasion, he said he could accept Jesus “as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the Cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart could not accept”.
“The message of Jesus as I understand it”, said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole… If then I had to face only the Sermon on the Mount and my own interpretation of it, I should not hesitate to say, ‘Oh, yes, I am a Christian.’ But negatively I can tell you that in my humble opinion, what passes as Christianity is a negation of the Sermon on the Mount… I am speaking of the Christian belief, of Christianity as it is understood in the west.”
Gandhi could speak beautifully about the message and personality of Jesus. Talking about the Gospel passage of the rich young man, he said, “St. Mark has vividly described the scene. Jesus is in his solemn mood. He is earnest. He talks about eternity. He knows the world about him. He is himself the greatest economist of his time. He succeeded in sermonising time and space – He transcends them. It is to him at the best that one comes running, kneels down and asks, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him, “One thing thou lackest. Go thy way, sell what thou hast and give it to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven – come, take up the cross and follow me.” Here you have an eternal rule of life stated in the noblest words the English language is capable of producing.” Gandhi went on to say that he could quote even stronger passages from the Hindu scriptures and the lesson he wanted to draw was that if we could clean our houses, palaces an
Poverty, suffering, the Cross, non-violence, morality – all these were part of the Kingdom of God. But for Gandhi what struck him most in the Sermon on the Mount was Christ’s teaching on non-retaliation, or non-resistance to evil. “Of all the things I have read what remained with me forever was that Jesus came almost to give a new law – not an eye for an eye, but to receive two blows when only one was given, and to go two miles when they were asked to go one. I came to see that the Sermon on the Mount was the whole of Christianity for him who wanted to live a Christian life. It is that sermon that has endeared Jesus to me.”
“Jesus occupies in my heart,” said Gandhi, “the place of one of the greatest teachers who have had a considerable influence on my life. I shall say to the Hindus that your life will be incomplete, unless you reverentially study the teachings of Jesus… Make this world the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything will be added unto you. I tell you that if you will understand, appreciate, and act up to the spirit of this passage, you won’t need to know what place Jesus or any other teacher occupies in your heart.”
For Gandhi, Jesus was the prince of ‘Satyagrahists’.* “The example of Jesus suffering is a factor in the composition of my undying faith in non-violence. What then does Jesus mean to me? To me, He was one of the greatest teachers humanity has ever had.” For Gandhi, to say that Jesus was the only begotten son of God was to say that “in Jesus’ own life was the key of his nearness to God, that he expressed as no other could, the spirit and will of God… I do believe that something of the spirit that Jesus exemplified in the highest measure, in its most profound human sense exist… If I did not believe it, I should be a sceptic, and to be a sceptic is to live a life that is empty and lacking moral content. Or, what is the same thing, to condemn the human race to a negative end.”
* I think the word literally means ‘soul-force’
Gandhi believed that in every man there was an impulse for good and a compassion that is the spark of divinity, that will one day burst into the full flower that is the hope of all mankind. An example of this flowering, he said, may be found in the figure and in the life of Jesus. “I refuse to believe that there not exists or has ever existed a person that has not made use of his example to lessen his sins, even though he may have done so without realising it. The lives of all have, in some greater or lesser degree, been changed by His presence, His actions and the words spoken by His divine voice… I believe that he belongs not solely to Christianity, but to the entire world; to all races and people, it matters little under what flag, name or doctrine they may work, profess a faith or worship a God inherited from their ancestors.”
For Gandhi Jesus was the true ‘satyagrahist’, who passed the test of non-violence, even if he seemed to be otherwise a failure. “The virtues of mercy, non-violence, love and truth in any man can be truly tested when they are pitted against ruthlessness, violence, hate and untruth… This is the true test of Ahimsa… He who when being killed bears no anger against his murderer and even asks God to forgive him is truly non-violent. History relates this of Jesus Christ. With his dying breath on the Cross, he is reported to have said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what to do.”
According to the theory of ‘Satyagraha’, said Gandhi, an adequate appeal to the heart never fails. “Seeming failure is not of the law of ‘Satyagraha’, but of incompetence of the ‘Satyagrahist’ by whatever cause induced. The name of Jesus at once comes to the lips. It is an instance of brilliant failure. And he has been acclaimed in the west as the prince of passive resisters. I showed years ago in South Africa that the adjective ‘passive’ was a misnomer, at least as applied to Jesus. He was the most active resister known perhaps to history. His was non-violence par excellence.”
This article was directly sourced from http://www.geocities.com/orthopapism/gandhi.html + http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620072944AAmRmHq
(and I’m sharing these thoughts and ideas in a spirit of in some small way, promoting better understanding and dialogue between faiths…or at least trying (thanks!).
“My life is my message.” – Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
“Ï love Christ, but am not so keen on his followers.” and/or “I would have been a follower of Christ, if it weren’t for the Christians!”
(Apparently, Gandhi was kicked out of a church during his time in South Africa)
Gandhi greatly admired Christ; God is not a religion. God is love. Religious tradition is the enemy of true spirituality. Seek God and shun religion. It is the only path to true peace with God.
“Religion divides; whereas truth unites.”
So after all that…
Isn’t WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
Find, then walk your OWN path to Highest Truth and be happy
Shared by craig
“I would like the British (military) to leave India as friends.”
PS: Former Archbishop in South Africa Desmond Tutu said these inspirational words: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe… because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.
In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love – one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)
About the submitter:
Craig likes (no loves) to share information and insights to encourage others to be all they are capable of being. He’d love to try to ‘build bridges’ (not metal or wooden ones, thank goodness!) between people, firmly believing that what we share is way more important than what divides us. In his life mission Craig hopes to encourage, motivate and inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials and live their very best lives. He believes in the great potential of every human being in the journey of life and loves to encourage people to share their individual (and guiding) spirits, so that they become all that they are CAPABLE of being
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock + www.lulu.com/craiglock
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://nzwriter.blogtown.co.nz/http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/craigs-blogs-and-writings/ www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com and www.religiousunity.wordpress.com .
Craig’s new manuscript, ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.
“A good book should take you from your everyday life to another place entirely.”
These thoughts may be published, electronically or in print (with acknowledgment to the source web sites, thanks)
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” – Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi once said to a group of missionaries: “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. BUT you treat it as nothing more than a piece of literature.”
When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, “Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?”
Gandhi replied, “Oh, I don’t reject Christ. I love Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ.”
“If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today,” he added.
For more reading on Mahatma Gandhi and Christianity
See http://in.christiantoday.com/articledir/print.htm?id=2837 and
Gandhi’s message to Christians
Click on http://www.mkgandhi.org/africaneedsgandhi/gandhi%27s_message_to_christians.htm
“Let us look in the mirror of history*, heeding its lessons, then hold hands will all peoples in facing and heralding in a better future, a brighter tomorrow for all peoples around the globe.”
-craig
“Lord,
Help lift our eyes a little higher.”
* that’s a metaphor, btw
Gandhi and Christ: What Did Jesus Mean to Gandhi?
What did Jesus mean to Gandhi? Did he have any influence on Gandhi’s life and teaching? What according to Gandhi was the essence of Christ’s message? Was Gandhi a ‘secret Christian’? What is the challenge that Gandhi presents to Christians and Christianity today?
Answers to these questions may be found in a recent book, ‘Gandhi and Christianity’ edited by Robert Ellsberg and published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York 10545. This book is an anthology of the speeches and writings of Gandhi on the subject as well as responses to Gandhi’s challenge by various Christian scholars. It should be a valuable reference book on the ongoing dialogue between Christians and representatives of other religions.
Early in his life, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had been reading the Bible to keep a promise he had made to a friend. He found the Old Testament extremely difficult going. He disliked the Book of Numbers. But the New Testament produced a different impression, especially the Sermon on the Mount which went straight to his heart. The passion of Jesus Christ moved Gandhi greatly. The verses about not resisting evil but offering the other cheek and giving the cloak to one who asked for one’s coat delighted him beyond measure. They reminded him about something he had learned in his childhood about returning with gladness good for evil done.
“I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith”, Gandhi told Millie Polak, the wife of one of his earliest disciples. “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…
Article Title: Gandhi and Christ: What Did Jesus Mean to Gandhi?
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Gandhi, Jesus, Christianity, faith, peace, pursuit of peace, beliefs, spiritual, spiritual unity, religion, unity of religion/s, spiritual growth
Web Sites: http://www.geocities.com/orthopapism/gandhi.html + http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620072944AAmRmHq
Submitter’s web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com
www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com www.religiousunity.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.
Other Articles by Craig are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
Publishing Guidelines:
All my writings may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
GANDHI AND CHRIST
Submitter’s Note:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions and faiths (to attempt to find ‘common ground’/principles) and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in the spirit of ‘enlightening’ (himself and perhaps others) regarding ‘eternal and universal truths.’ Hope this piece may be of interest to you too (as well as perhaps promoting more understanding of other faiths…as in sharing, I learn too!
* What did Jesus mean to Gandhi? Did he have any influence on Gandhi’s life and teaching? What according to Gandhi was the essence of Christ’s message? Was Gandhi a ‘secret Christian’? What is the challenge that Gandhi presents to Christians and Christianity today?
Answers to these questions may be found in a recent book, ‘Gandhi and Christianity’ edited by Robert Ellsberg and published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York 10545. This book is an anthology of the speeches and writings of Gandhi on the subject as well as responses to Gandhi’s challenge by various Christian scholars. It should be a valuable reference book on the ongoing dialogue between Christians and representatives of other religions.
Early in his life, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had been reading the Bible to keep a promise he had made to a friend. He found the Old Testament extremely difficult going. He disliked the Book of Numbers. But the New Testament produced a different impression, especially the Sermon on the Mount which went straight to his heart. The passion of Jesus Christ moved Gandhi greatly. The verses about not resisting evil but offering the other cheek and giving the cloak to one who asked for one’s coat delighted him beyond measure. They reminded him about something he had learned in his childhood about returning with gladness good for evil done.
“I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith“, Gandhi told Millie Polak, the wife of one of his earliest disciples. “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…”
However, on another occasion, he said he could accept Jesus “as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the Cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart could not accept”.
“The message of Jesus as I understand it”, said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole… If then I had to face only the Sermon on the Mount and my own interpretation of it, I should not hesitate to say, ‘Oh, yes, I am a Christian.’ But negatively I can tell you that in my humble opinion, what passes as Christianity is a negation of the Sermon on the Mount… I am speaking of the Christian belief, of Christianity as it is understood in the west.”
Gandhi could speak beautifully about the message and personality of Jesus. Talking about the Gospel passage of the rich young man, he said, “St. Mark has vividly described the scene. Jesus is in his solemn mood. He is earnest. He talks about eternity. He knows the world about him. He is himself the greatest economist of his time. He succeeded in sermonising time and space – He transcends them. It is to him at the best that one comes running, kneels down and asks, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him, “One thing thou lackest. Go thy way, sell what thou hast and give it to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven – come, take up the cross and follow me.” Here you have an eternal rule of life stated in the noblest words the English language is capable of producing.” Gandhi went on to say that he could quote even stronger passages from the Hindu scriptures and the lesson he wanted to draw was that if we could clean our houses, palaces an
Poverty, suffering, the Cross, non-violence, morality – all these were part of the Kingdom of God. But for Gandhi what struck him most in the Sermon on the Mount was Christ’s teaching on non-retaliation, or non-resistance to evil. “Of all the things I have read what remained with me forever was that Jesus came almost to give a new law – not an eye for an eye, but to receive two blows when only one was given, and to go two miles when they were asked to go one. I came to see that the Sermon on the Mount was the whole of Christianity for him who wanted to live a Christian life. It is that sermon that has endeared Jesus to me.”
“Jesus occupies in my heart,” said Gandhi, “the place of one of the greatest teachers who have had a considerable influence on my life. I shall say to the Hindus that your life will be incomplete, unless you reverentially study the teachings of Jesus… Make this world the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything will be added unto you. I tell you that if you will understand, appreciate, and act up to the spirit of this passage, you won’t need to know what place Jesus or any other teacher occupies in your heart.”
For Gandhi, Jesus was the prince of ‘Satyagrahists’.* “The example of Jesus suffering is a factor in the composition of my undying faith in non-violence. What then does Jesus mean to me? To me, He was one of the greatest teachers humanity has ever had.” For Gandhi, to say that Jesus was the only begotten son of God was to say that “in Jesus’ own life was the key of his nearness to God, that he expressed as no other could, the spirit and will of God… I do believe that something of the spirit that Jesus exemplified in the highest measure, in its most profound human sense exist… If I did not believe it, I should be a sceptic, and to be a sceptic is to live a life that is empty and lacking moral content. Or, what is the same thing, to condemn the human race to a negative end.”
* I think the word literally means ‘soul-force’
Gandhi believed that in every man there was an impulse for good and a compassion that is the spark of divinity, that will one day burst into the full flower that is the hope of all mankind. An example of this flowering, he said, may be found in the figure and in the life of Jesus. “I refuse to believe that there not exists or has ever existed a person that has not made use of his example to lessen his sins, even though he may have done so without realising it. The lives of all have, in some greater or lesser degree, been changed by His presence, His actions and the words spoken by His divine voice… I believe that he belongs not solely to Christianity, but to the entire world; to all races and people, it matters little under what flag, name or doctrine they may work, profess a faith or worship a God inherited from their ancestors.”
For Gandhi Jesus was the true ‘satyagrahist’, who passed the test of non-violence, even if he seemed to be otherwise a failure. “The virtues of mercy, non-violence, love and truth in any man can be truly tested when they are pitted against ruthlessness, violence, hate and untruth… This is the true test of Ahimsa… He who when being killed bears no anger against his murderer and even asks God to forgive him is truly non-violent. History relates this of Jesus Christ. With his dying breath on the Cross, he is reported to have said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what to do.”
According to the theory of ‘Satyagraha’, said Gandhi, an adequate appeal to the heart never fails. “Seeming failure is not of the law of ‘Satyagraha’, but of incompetence of the ‘Satyagrahist’ by whatever cause induced. The name of Jesus at once comes to the lips. It is an instance of brilliant failure. And he has been acclaimed in the west as the prince of passive resisters. I showed years ago in South Africa that the adjective ‘passive’ was a misnomer, at least as applied to Jesus. He was the most active resister known perhaps to history. His was non-violence par excellence.”
This article was directly sourced from http://www.geocities.com/orthopapism/gandhi.html + http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080620072944AAmRmHq
(and I’m sharing these thoughts and ideas in a spirit of in some small way, promoting better understanding and dialogue between faiths…or at least trying (thanks!).
“My life is my message.” – Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
“Ï love Christ, but am not so keen on his followers.” and/or “I would have been a follower of Christ, if it weren’t for the Christians!”
(Apparently, Gandhi was kicked out of a church during his time in South Africa)
Gandhi greatly admired Christ; God is not a religion. God is love. Religious tradition is the enemy of true spirituality. Seek God and shun religion. It is the only path to true peace with God.
“Religion divides; whereas truth unites.”
So after all that…
Isn’t WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
Find, then walk your OWN path to Highest Truth and be happy
Shared by craig
“I would like the British (military) to leave India as friends.”
PS: Former Archbishop in South Africa Desmond Tutu said these inspirational words: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe… because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.
In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love – one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)
About the submitter:
Craig likes (no loves) to share information and insights to encourage others to be all they are capable of being. He’d love to try to ‘build bridges’ (not metal or wooden ones, thank goodness!) between people, firmly believing that what we share is way more important than what divides us. In his life mission Craig hopes to encourage, motivate and inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials and live their very best lives. He believes in the great potential of every human being in the journey of life and loves to encourage people to share their individual (and guiding) spirits, so that they become all that they are CAPABLE of being
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
The submitter’s blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.
Craig’s new manuscript, ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.
“A good book should take you from your everyday life to another place entirely.”
These thoughts may be published, electronically or in print (with acknowledgment to the source web sites, thanks)
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” – Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi once said to a group of missionaries: “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. BUT you treat it as nothing more than a piece of literature.”
When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, “Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?”Gandhi replied, “Oh, I don’t reject Christ. I love Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ.”
“If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today,” he added.
“If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today,” he added.
For more reading on Mahatma Gandhi and Christianity
See http://in.christiantoday.com/articledir/print.htm?id=2837 and
Gandhi’s message to Christians
Click on http://www.mkgandhi.org/africaneedsgandhi/gandhi%27s_message_to_christians.htm
“Let us look in the mirror of history*, heeding its lessons, then hold hands will all peoples in facing and heralding in a better future, a brighter tomorrow for all peoples around the globe.”
-craig
“Lord,
Help lift our eyes a little higher.”
* that’s a metaphor, btw
“THE RELIGION OF ISLAM”: A Comparison Of Islam And Christianity
To end off… I love these inspiring words, so will share with you…
“It is time for people of good will from every faith and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside our international and partisan bickering and join to confront the danger that lies before us. Our goal must be to illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity, and offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– Abdurrahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia, in the ‘Wall Street Journal’
Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India (1947)
I hope that this information may be of interest to you (as it is to me)…
Those of us who long for (and are passionate about) the ideals of moderation and religious tolerance will continue to hope for a better understanding of complex issues between people of different cultures and faiths through reasoned and ‘informed’ dialogue in a spirit of mutual tolerance and respect. God’s greatest gift to us is to find, then follow our own truths. We can ALL nurture the real values common to ALL humanity: those highest ideals of tolerance, righteousness, justice, mercy and respect for all of life must surely triumph.
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.”
– John F. Kennedy
With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE and with TOLERANCE comes MORE UNDERSTANDING.
So Let each one of us in our own ‘little ways’ attempt to build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of openness, acceptance of our differences, helpfulness, co-operation, mutual tolerance, respect, trust, peace and especially in a spirit of love, the most powerful force in existence. Let our leaders and each ONE of us look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become. What divides us as fellow citizens on planet earth is not nearly as powerful as the force, the divine spirit that UNITES us: The Spirit of God, the Ultimate Source that let’s us accept and even celebrate our differences … and let’s the Love of humanity within EACH one of us to conquer anything at all.
“People fight and die for religion but they seldom LIVE for religion”.
– Jahrulal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India”
“God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
“The greatest good we can do for others is reveal the rich treasure inside themselves; so shine your own bright light on an often darkened world… with the highest level of humanity …and have great fun along the journey of life.”
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
– author unknown
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
“When people’s hearts are filled with love, the world is full of hope” – craig
“Let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED, electronically or in print
“God is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light
May the Grace of our loving Creator care for and watch over you all… always
Article Title: “THE RELIGION OF ISLAM”: A Comparison Of Islam And Christianity
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words/tags):
Islam, The Koran, Christianity, religion(s), faith, beliefs, religious tolerance, spiritual unity, unity of religions
Web site: http://executableoutlines.com/islam/islam_05.htm
Submitter’s web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com http://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.com http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig )
Publishing Guidelines:
All my articles may be freely published. If tghis article is published, please acknowledge the source, thanks. As I share, I learn myself.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
“THE RELIGION OF ISLAM”
A Comparison Of Islam And Christianity
Sourced from: http://executableoutlines.com/islam/islam_05.htm
INTRODUCTION
1. In previous studies, we have directed our focus on Islam…
a. The beginnings and early history of Islam
b. The origin, importance and content of the Qur’an
c. The faith and practices of Islam
d. The issue as to whether Islam is a religion of peace
2. It may be beneficial to look at Islam in comparison with Christianity…
a. What might they have in common?
b. How do they differ on fundamental issues?
[In this study, we shall consider what the two religions believe on various issues as we seek to gain a better understanding of Islam. We begin with…]
I. GOD
A. ISLAM…
1. Teaches there is one God – Qur’an 3:64
2. Rejects the concept of the Trinity
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Teaches there is one God – 1Co 8:6
2. Reveals that the Godhead is composed of three distinct personalities – Father, Son, Holy Spirit; one in essence and substance – cf. Jn 1:1-5; Php 2:5-8; 2Jn 9; Mt 28:19
[Closely related to any concept of God is one’s view regarding…]
II. JESUS
A. ISLAM…
1. Considers Jesus a prophet, like Noah, Abraham, Moses (and Muhammad)
2. Rejects the divinity of Jesus, denies his pre-existence – Qur’an 4:171
3. Believes in the virgin birth, however
4. Does not believe Jesus died on the cross nor was raised from the dead – Qur’an 4:157
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God – Mt 16:13-18
2. Teaches the pre-existence of Christ – Jn 1:1-5; Col 1:16-17
3. Proclaims that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and was raised from the dead
[What one believes regarding Jesus certainly has a bearing on one’s understanding of…]
III. SALVATION
A. ISLAM…
1. Salvation comes by works
2. Personal righteousness is weighed against personal sin, which ever is greater determines salvation – Qur’an 23:101-103
3. A Muslim can be forgiven by repenting of sin – Qur’an 39:53-54
4. Paradise is assured for one who dies as a martyr for Islam
5. One becomes a Muslim by confessing “There is no other god but God; and Muhammad is the Prophet of God” (la ilaha ill’Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah) from the heart
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Salvation is by grace through an obedient faith – Ep 2:8-9; Ti 3:4-7
2. Jesus died on the cross as atonement for our sins – Ro 3:21-26
3. He is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him – He 5:9
4. Those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life will be spared condemnation – Re 20:11-15
5. One becomes a Christian by:
a. Believing that Christ died for your sins – Jn 8:24; Ro 10: 9-10
b. Repenting of your sins – Ac 2:38; 17:30-31
c. Confessing your faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God – Mt 10:32,33; Ro 10:9-10
d. Being baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins
– Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-6; Ga 3:27;
Col 2:11-13; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21
[Doctrines pertaining to salvation are naturally related to views pertaining to…]
IV. ETERNAL JUDGMENT
A. ISLAM…
1. Believes in a resurrection of the dead and judgment at the Last Day
2. Paradise for the faithful, served by beautiful virgins – Qur’an 56:1-38
3. Hell for unbelievers, with eternal torment – Qur’an 56:39-56
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Believes in a resurrection of the dead and judgment at the Last Day
2. The eternal City, New Jerusalem, in the new heavens and new earth for those whose name is in the Lamb’s book of life
– Re 21:1-7,9-27; 22:1-5
3. The lake of fire for the unbelieving and wicked – Re 20:15; 21:8
[What one believes about God, Jesus, salvation and the judgment depends heavily upon what one considers to be…]
V. THE WORD OF GOD
A. ISLAM…
1. Believes in 4 inspired books – the Torah (5 books of Moses),
Zabur (the Psalms), lnjil (the Gospel), and Qur’an
2. The first three have been corrupted; the Qur’an provides the final revelation of God’s Word
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Believes Old and New Testaments contains the revelation of God’s Word – 2Ti 3:16-17
2. Believes that God’s Word cannot be corrupted, but is preserved
– 1Pe 1:23-25; Mt 24:35; Isa 40:8
3. Believes that revelation of God’s Word is fully and finally revealed – 2Pe 1:3; Jude 3
[It is of interest to note some of the differences in the two religion regarding…]
VI. PRAYER, FASTING, AND WORSHIP
A. ISLAM…
1. Has set times to offer prayers (five times per day)
2. Has set periods and procedures in which to fast (the month of Ramadan)
3. Places emphasis on ceremonial rituals such as washings, posture in prayer
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Calls for fervent and steadfast prayer, with no set times proscribed – 1Th 5:17; Col 4:2
2. Has a place for fasting, but left up to the individual – Mt 6:
16-18; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23
3. Places emphasis upon the spiritual aspect of worship – Jn 4:
23-24; Ep 5:19; Col 3:16
[A major difference between Islam and Christianity in spreading their faiths involve the issues of…]
VII. WAR AND VENGEANCE
A. ISLAM…
1. Allows war and vengeance for self-defense against persecution
2. Allows use of war in promoting the faith against unbelievers and idolaters
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Forbids war and vengeance when persecuted for righteousness’ sake – Mt 5:10-12,38-48
2. Forbids use of war to promote the cause of Christ and the gospel – 2Co 10:3-5
[Some other differences between the two faiths relate to…]
VIII. MORALS
A. ISLAM…
1. Forbids alcohol and gambling – Qur’an 5:93-94
2. Forbids eating pork
3. Allows up to four wives, may divorce and remarry them twice – Qur’an 2:229
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Forbids drunkenness, covetousness, and other “works of the flesh” – Ga 5:19-21
2. Allows all foods, if received with thanksgiving and prayer
– 1Ti 4:4-5 (with the exception of drinking blood and eating animals that were strangled, Ac 15:20,29; 21:25)
3. Teaches monogamy, divorce only for fornication – Mt 19:9; 1Co 7:2
[Both religions distinguish between the role of men and women, though with important differences…]
IX. TREATMENT OF WOMEN
A. ISLAM…
1. Men have more rights than women – Qur’an 2:228
2. Women do not attend public prayers at the Mosque
3. A husband may punish a wife by withholding what is due, and then beat her if necessary – Qur’an 4:34
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Men and women are fellow heirs of the grace of life – 1Pe 3:7; Ga 3:28-29
2. Women do not have leadership roles in the church – 1Co 11:3; 14:34-37; 2Ti 2:11-12
3. Forbids withholding what is due, and requires treating the wife with tenderness and understanding – 1Co 7:3-5; 1Pe 3:7
CONCLUSION
1. This has not been an exhaustive comparison between Islam and Christianity…
a. It has been a simple examination at some of the more notable features of comparison
b. Undoubtedly, many other similarities and differences could be noted
2. In considering such comparisons, one should note the following caveat…
a. Islam contains many different sects; not all professing Muslims might agree with some of the representations of Islamic beliefs made in this comparison
b. In a similar vein, not all professing Christians may agree with what has been offered as that which Christianity teaches
But perhaps this comparison can serve as a starting point in identifying key issues for discussions between Muslims and Christians who seek to better understand one another’s faiths….
Sourced from http://executableoutlines.com/islam/islam_05.htm
#
To end off… I love these inspiring words, so will share with you…
“It is time for people of good will from every faith and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside our international and partisan bickering and join to confront the danger that lies before us. Our goal must be to illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity, and offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– Abdurrahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia, in the ‘Wall Street Journal’
Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India (1947)
I hope that this information may be of interest to you (as it is to me)…
Those of us who long for (and are passionate about) the ideals of moderation and religious tolerance will continue to hope for a better understanding of complex issues between people of different cultures and faiths through reasoned and ‘informed’ dialogue in a spirit of mutual tolerance and respect. God’s greatest gift to us is to find, then follow our own truths. We can ALL nurture the real values common to ALL humanity: those highest ideals of tolerance, righteousness, justice, mercy and respect for all of life must surely triumph.
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.”
– John F. Kennedy
With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE and with TOLERANCE comes MORE UNDERSTANDING.
So Let each one of us in our own ‘little ways’ attempt to build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of openness, acceptance of our differences, helpfulness, co-operation, mutual tolerance, respect, trust, peace and especially in a spirit of love, the most powerful force in existence. Let our leaders and each ONE of us look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become. What divides us as fellow citizens on planet earth is not nearly as powerful as the force, the divine spirit that UNITES us: The Spirit of God, the Ultimate Source that let’s us accept and even celebrate our differences … and let’s the Love of humanity within EACH one of us to conquer anything at all.
Shared by craig (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder… and a ‘passionate moderate’ for religious tolerance”)
“People fight and die for religion but they seldom LIVE for religion”.
– Jahrulal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India”
“God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
“The greatest good we can do for others is reveal the rich treasure inside themselves; so shine your own bright light on an often darkened world… with the highest level of humanity …and have great fun along the journey of life.”
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
– author unknown
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
“When people’s hearts are filled with love, the world is full of hope” – craig
About the submitter:
In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down and economic, social, cultural and religious barriers. Craig believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share in the form of our common humanity is way more important than what divides us.
In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down and economic, social, cultural and religious barriers. Craig believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share in the form of our common humanity is way more important than what divides us.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books/74-craigs-books http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock + www.lulu.com/craiglock
Craig is currently writing true stories of life in the Middle East. And as he writes, is posting extracts on his new WordPress blogs.
Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com http://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.com http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstores”
“Let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED, electronically or in print
“God is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light
May the Grace of our loving Creator care for and watch over you all… always
A “Book Review”: THE HIDDEN JESUS by Robert Beckford
These are the notes I took from Robert Beckford’s excellent TV documentary seen here in New Zealand; so am sharing with you. I hope, I trust that Robert’s personal thoughts and beliefs on the “person” and life of Jesus may be as uplifting, empowering and perhaps even inspirational to you, as they are to me.
craig
BUDDHA, JESUS, ISLAM and GANDHI:
Christianity has some common spiritual values with other spiritual traditions and religions (and some of the ‘miracles’ are not unique to Christianity).
Some Common Spiritual Values:
* Be humble
* Keep doors open
* Love as a powerful driving force
* a divine inner light that banishes all darkness and ignorance
Buddhism (along with other Eastern religions) has many common strains of teaching. Buddha taught ‘dharma’, a right way of living. The Buddha too was “visited and tempted” by the devil and performed miracles (similar to Jesus, like walking on water).
People simply want to be happy – the teachings of both Jesus and the Buddha. Buddhism is a guide to personal transformation, remarkably similar to Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount.
Attempting to attain some objective and live with righteousness.
Here are some of the main guiding principles:
* Do good to those that hate you.
* Overcome anger with love.
* Overcome evil by doing good.
* Replace lies with truth.
The teachings of Jesus were similar to those of the Buddha: peace, justice and wanting people to have a good life.
Jesus taught people to follow the right path: that of equality, morality and justice.
Jesus challenged the religious authority of the day and their symbols of oppression.
He challenged societies problems and religious dogmas… in a common search for truth and how to engage it.
*
Tags: ‘The Hidden Jesus’, Robert Beckford, Jesus, Books, Jesus Christ, Christianity, Buddha, Islam, Mahatma (Mohandas) Gandhi, Spiritual Unity, Spiritual Growth
Submitter’s web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.comwww.breakdownwalls.wordpress.comhttp://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.comhttp://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig )
Publishing Guidelines:
These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
A “Book Review” THE HIDDEN JESUS by Robert Beckford #
Submitter’s Note:
These are the notes I took from Robert Beckford’s excellent TV documentary seen here in New Zealand; so am sharing with you. I hope, I trust that Robert’s personal thoughts and beliefs on the “person” and life of Jesus may be as uplifting, empowering and perhaps even inspirational to you, as they are to me.
craig
BUDDHA, JESUS, ISLAM and GANDHI:
Christianity has some common spiritual values with other spiritual traditions and religions (and some of the ‘miracles’ are not unique to Christianity).
Some Common Spiritual Values:
* Be humble
* Keep doors open
* Love as a powerful driving force
* a divine inner light that banishes all darkness and ignorance
Buddhism (along with other Eastern religions) has many common strains of teaching. Buddha taught ‘dharma’, a right way of living. The Buddha too was “visited and tempted” by the devil and performed miracles (similar to Jesus, like walking on water).
People simply want to be happy – the teachings of both Jesus and the Buddha. Buddhism is a guide to personal transformation, remarkably similar to Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount.
Attempting to attain some objective and live with righteousness.
Here are some of the main guiding principles:
* Do good to those that hate you.
* Overcome anger with love.
* Overcome evil by doing good.
* Replace lies with truth.
The teachings of Jesus were similar to those of the Buddha:peace, justice and wanting people to have a good life.
Jesus taught people to follow the right path: that of equality, morality and justice.
Jesus challenged the religious authority of the day and their symbols of oppression.
He challenged societies problems and religious dogmas… in a common search for truth and how to engage it.
*
ISLAM
Jesus is one of the prophets who performed miracles, a pre-curser to Mohammed, the LAST Prophet revealing Allah’s word to the people.
Muslims believe that there will be a day of judgment in everyone’s life.
Jesus will return, but only God knows WHEN.
Then he will live for 40 years and will be buried at Medina (present day Saudi Arabia) in a tomb next to Muhammad
Muslims believe that Jesus will save humanity from injustice (ie. he is a messiah). That he preached eternal truths and is one of the great prophets of Islam.
*
MAHATMA (MOHANDAS) GANDHI
Like Jesus, Gandhi was a man of action, who wanted to change his country and so the world… through non-violence or passive resistance. Gandhi was greatly influenced and inspired by the Sermon on the Mount (“Christ gave me the message” and “I love Christ; but I’m not so keen on his followers”.
Gandhi pondered the deep question: ‘Do I have the capacity not to hate?’
His teachings: Active non-violent resistance, transformed into non-violent resistance.
Like Jesus, Gandhi invoked major confrontation with the authorities (the Salt March has a parallel with Jesus entering Jerusalem on his donkey).
Mahatma Gandhi once said to a group of missionaries: “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. BUT you treat it as nothing more than a piece of literature.”
“My life is my message.”
– Mohandas Gandhi
It is PRACTICAL faith in ACTION:
Live the faith
Live the idealism
This involves a concern for human rights… as evident in the quote:
“Live simply, so that others may simply live.”
Great figures like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Lech Walensa (former leader of the Solidarity movement in Poland) were largely influenced by the teachings of Jesus. This is evidenced by their concern for human rights (and the dignity of people) and fighting for the rights of the marginalised of society, the oppressed people living in their countries.
The core elements of Jesus’s story.
(as per the Coptic Museum in Cairo)
*
HOW DO I SEE JESUS?
WHAT DOES HE MEAN TO ME TODAY?
The teachings of Jesus are vitally important. But HOW to put them into action… today?
Doing this requires commitment, ie active participation to be a worker for reconciliation, a peace-maker and this involves taking risks.
Yet
“Those who work for peace will reap a rich harvest of righteousness” (or something like that).
I believe to fully understand the “person” that was Jesus, we have to strip away much of the dogma of religion, even of Christianity. Jesus was not only a new Jewish teacher, who challenged the tyranny and oppression of the Roman empire of his day.
His simple teachings are still vitally important 2000 years after his death: His messages of justice (and opposing injustice with all ones means/”might”) and human rights for all.
Jesus wanted people to experience the Kingdom of God by whatever means is best for them???
The life of Jesus revealed what it means to serve God with all ones heart and soul, together with love (for oneself as well as one’s neighbour), as a powerful driving force for ALL humanity. His spirit is a divine inner light that banishes all ignorance and forces of darkness.
And we the “ordinary little” people are invited to claim a portion of His Immense Spirit. All we need do is ASK!
For me the simple message of Jesus Christ was: IF we follow the teachings of Christ and fully trust Him, we can all lead happier and more fulfilled lives going down this path. And in shining our own “little” lights we can change the world… for the better.
The words of Robert Beckford
(and shared with thanks by craig)
“We can all be great; because we can all serve.”
– Martin Luther King, Jnr (or was it Mother Teresa?)
“Those whom you seek to change, you must first love.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
When you have hope in your heart, then you’ll never walk alone.”
– craig (as inspired by the signage at the Liverpool football stadium in England)
About the submitter:
Craig believes in (and loves) sharing information, insights and ‘principles’ to help and especially encourage people to make the most of their minds along the magical journey of life … and that brings him the greatest joy. In his life mission Craig hopes to help, encourage, motivate, uplift and perhaps even inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials. His dream is seeing people realise their goals and dreams in life
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”
– Chinese proverb
“A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you’re in a room as big as the world.”
“A book, like a dog, is man’s best friend, but inside it’s too dark to read.”
– Groucho Marx (I “tink”)
Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.comwww.breakdownwalls.wordpress.comhttp://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.comhttp://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
.“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
Together, one mind, one heart, one life, one small step at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope for a better and brighter future
“Many small (yet significant) steps by many ‘ordinary, little’ people will eventually reach their destination.
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope for a better and brighter future “
THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
Don’t worry about the world ending today… it’s already tomorrow in “little, scenic and tranquil” New Zealand
Sharing Some Information on Religions of the World: The BAHAI Faith
Article Title: Sharing Some Information on Religions of the World: The BAHAI Faith
Submitter: Craig Lock
Category (key words):
Web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.comwww.breakdownwalls.wordpress.comhttp://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.comhttp://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig )
Publishing Guidelines:
These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
INTRODUCTION:
As he analyses his own “spirituality” and “finds and follows the spiritual path” (how airey-fairey now, craig!), Craig is studying the teachings of different religions (to find ‘common ground’/principles) and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ (himself and perhaps others). Hope this piece may be of interest to you too.
*
WHAT DO BAHAI BELIEVE?
Their main beliefs are as follows:
* Oneness of Religion: All the world’s religions represent stages in the revelation of God’s will and purpose for humanity.
Prophets are teachers – not saviours. God cannot incarnate himself and reveal himself to man. Therefore Jesus cannot be God. Jesus is seen as one of God’s manifestations sent to human beings to assist in our spiritual evolution. The raising of the body of Jesus was actually the coming to life of Christ’s teachings in the disciples, the restoration of their beliefs and convictions.
Some of the main principles of the Bahai faith:
* Oneness of God: There is only ONE God
“The peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly source, and are the subjects of one God.”
– Bahau’uallah
* Oneness of religion: All the world’s religions represent stages in the revelation of God’s will and purpose for mankind.
“Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self.”
– Bahau’llah
* Oneness of Mankind – there is only one human race and we are all connected.
“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable, unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
– Bahau’llah
* Abolition of all prejudices
* The equality of men and women
* The elimination of the extremes of poverty and wealth
* The independent investigation of truth
* that religion and science agree.
The goal of the Bahai is a world governed by order, justice; love and peace: a world culture as the basis for spiritual advancement of all that live on earth, providing a way of life for all that is truly worthy of mankind. Bahai believe that the nature of God is completely unknowable – he/she/it is trancendant to the point of total inaccessibility. Prophets are teachers – not saviours! God cannot incarnate himself and reveal himself to man. Therefore Jesus cannot be God. Jesus is seen as one of God’s manifestations sent to human beings to assist in our spiritual evolution. The raising of the body of Jesus was actually the coming to life of Christ’s teachings in the disciples, the restoration of their beliefs and convictions.
BAHAI work for world peace and believe in freedom of expression.
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A few personal thoughts to end off..
Everybody’s truth is different, because our experiences, our environments, our cultures, our life paths are different. So every person’s faith is different (even the state of having NO faith). Finally, perhaps no religion can ever represent the Absolute Truth (because ‘Absolute Truth’ has a degree of subjectivity – at least I believe so!). Rather, religions can be different paths to the same Truth, with God, Infinite Spirit, the Grand Designer, the Essence of Life at the centre. (Like spokes leading to the hub, the Ultimate Source of Life). It’s up to YOU to CHOOSE your set of beliefs, those which fit best with YOUR truth, your being.
I am motivated to share these sets of beliefs, these “eternal truths” with others, so people may benefit and enhance their lives in a meaningful way…if they so CHOOSE. I hope that this information may be of interest to you… and that’s my reason for sharing.
With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE
and
with TOLERANCE comes UNDERSTANDING.
Walk your OWN path to Highest Truth and be happy
craig
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled
humanity.”
“The greatest good we can do for others is reveal the rich treasure inside themselves; so shine your own bright light on an often darkened world… with the highest level of humanity …and have great fun along the journey of life.”
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
– craig
“When people’s hearts are filled with love, the world is full of hope.”
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
– craig
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About the submitter:
In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down and economic, social, cultural and religious barriers. Craig believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share in the form of our common humanity is way more important than what divides us.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available athttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html and http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.comwww.breakdownwalls.wordpress.comhttp://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.comhttp://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
“Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tide and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love. Then, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.”
– Teilhard De Chardin
“”God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
This piece may be freely published, electronically or in print
“God, The Essence of Life, the Ground of All Being, is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
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WHO IS "THE REAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING" JESUS? 
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