Was Gandhi the most Christian of humans in recent times?

[sandandfoam]

I read recently the view that despite not being a Christian Gandhi's behaviour establishes him as the most Christ-like and therefore the most Christian person of the twentieth century.
What do you think?

 

[Storm]

I read recently the view that despite not being a Christian Gandhi's behaviour establishes him as the most Christ-like and therefore the most Christian person of the twentieth century.
What do you think?

My kneejerk reaction is contempt. Either this is an attempt by a Christian to claim Gandhi despite his Hinduism, or someone else's attempt to shame Christians by saying a Hindu beats them at their own game. Either way, I'm not buying it.

Also, I think MLK's legacy, along with the fact that he was actually Christian, earns him the honor.

Which brings to mind this pic:

You don't have to get into a ******* contest to honor those of other faiths. I still find the claim relayed by the OP distasteful, but I suppose I might as well extend the benefit of the doubt.

 

[sandandfoam]

My kneejerk reaction is contempt. Either this is an attempt by a Christian to claim Gandhi despite his Hinduism, or someone else's attempt to shame Christians by saying a Hindu beats them at their own game. Either way, I'm not buying it.

I think it was Spong - so I don't think it fits what you outline above. Rather I'd see it as fitting with the idea (from Pelagius?) that what's important in Christian terms isn't what one believes but how one behaves.

But a bit of contempt always livens things up so thanks

 

[Karl R]

I read recently the view that despite not being a Christian Gandhi's behaviour establishes him as the most Christ-like and therefore the most Christian person of the twentieth century.
What do you think?

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
- Mohandas Gandhi

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
- Mohandas Gandhi

He also said:
- "I am a Muslim and a Hindu and a Christian and a Jew."

-Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different road, so long as we reach the same goal. Wherein is the cause for quarrelling?

-It is impossible for me to reconcile myself to the idea of conversion after the style that goes on in India and elsewhere today. It is an error which is perhaps the greatest impediment to the world’s progress toward peace … Why should a Christian want to convert a Hindu to Christianity? Why should he not be satisfied if the Hindu is a good or godly man?

-The sayings of Muhammad are a treasure of wisdom, not only for Muslims but for all of mankind.

This is what MLK said about Gandhi.

-"Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics." - Martin Luther King Jr, 1955

 

[Riverwolf]

More likely he's one of the most remembered of non-Christian Christians in recent times.

 

[sandandfoam]

More likely he's one of the most remembered of non-Christian Christians in recent times.

I'd be most interested to hear about others

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

I'd be most interested to hear about others

My all time favorite is Vinoba Bhave.

He started the land gift movement in India. He walked all around India asking people with land to think of him as one of their sons and so give him a portion of their land which he then distributed to landless poor. Non-violence and compassion were his philosophy.

He walked for over 20 years. An area the size of Scotland was given to the poor.

He also lived like an untouchable and carried human crap on his head in buckets (like the Dailts). To make others reject this caste system. Gandhi had him be the first man to raise the Indian Flag. He was a very great man. He is my Hero.

 

[sandandfoam]

My all time favorite is Vinoba Bhave.

He started the land gift movement in India. He walked all around India asking people with land to think of him as one of their sons and so give him a portion of their land which he then distributed to landless poor. Non-violence and compassion were his philosophy.

He walked for over 20 years. An area the size of Scotland was given to the poor.

He also lived like an untouchable and carried human crap on his head in buckets (like the Dailts). To make others reject this caste system. Gandhi had him be the first man to raise the Indian Flag. He was a very great man. He is my Hero.

Oh Yeah. I like that. My eyes are only opening to the group around Ghandi, I must learn more.
Badshah Khan has recently become a hero of mine. Amazing people.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

-Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different road, so long as we reach the same goal. Wherein is the cause for quarrelling?

That sounds decidedly un-Christ-like to me:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

 

[sandandfoam]

That sounds decidedly un-Christ-like to me:

There's always an opposing quote. Methinks we make of The Bible what we want Romans 2

14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

 

[Smoke]

I read recently the view that despite not being a Christian Gandhi's behaviour establishes him as the most Christ-like and therefore the most Christian person of the twentieth century.
What do you think?

I think it's extremely offensive to call a Hindu a Christian and pretend it's a compliment.

 

[sandandfoam]

I think it's extremely offensive to call a Hindu a Christian and pretend it's a compliment.

Excellent!
More outrage and contempt
I don't believe the statement was either directed at Hindus or intended as a compliment.

 

[Smoke]

Excellent!
More outrage and contempt
I don't believe the statement was either directed at Hindus or intended as a compliment.

I'm not really outraged, especially since the comment came from you and I don't think you ever give offense intentionally.

But I hate it when people call someone they admire "a true Christian" regardless of whether that person is a Christian. It implies that Christianity has some kind of monopoly on moral superiority or that being a Christian is the best thing one can be.

I think you'd get it if I said Gandhi was the most truly American person of the 20th century.

 

[sandandfoam]

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
- Mohandas Gandhi

Like this a lot.

Like this too

If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today. Gandhi, Mahatma

 

[sandandfoam]

I'm not really outraged, especially since the comment came from you and I don't think you ever give offense intentionally.

But I hate it when people call someone they admire "a true Christian" regardless of whether that person is a Christian. It implies that Christianity has some kind of monopoly on moral superiority or that being a Christian is the best thing one can be.

I think you'd get it if I said Gandhi was the most truly American person of the 20th century.

Thanks Smoke, I took it the other way around. As a commentary on Christianity.
I also thought it highlighted how unnecessary it is to belong to or believe in a given faith.
I'm sure this won't be the last time I draw meaning at 180 degrees from everyone else

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

That sounds decidedly un-Christ-like to me:

Jesus also said this.

John 10 (NIV)

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

 

[logician]

What exactly was so great about the supposed Christ?

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

What exactly was so great about the supposed Christ?

It's clear you have never seen Jesus Christ superstar the movie.

 

[zenzero]

Friend stephenw,

Was Gandhi the most Christian of humans in recent times?

When what is the qualification of being a Christian is not known then the response cannot be there.
Yes, he was surely able to bring about awareness amongst people about various rights as an Indian only.
Cannot state that he was a Buddha or a Christ as he was attached with his country, thoughts of the same remained.
Love & rgds