Christians: What do you think of this quote?

Question

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
--Mahatma Ghandi

What does this quote mean to you?
I'm not attacking anybody, I just wanted to know what you thought of the quote.

*sigh* CJ, I expected something like that.

Answer 1

I applaud it and my hope is that many Christians reading this will take pause and consider the meaning behind the quote.

Thanks!

Answer 2

I know it's not the best answer to give a quote for a quote, but this is what G. K. Chesterson said: "It's not that Christianity hasn't worked. It's just that nobody has tried it yet."

I think G. K. and Gandhi were saying the same thing. Jesus set us an example of love that is an ideal -- I doubt we'll ever perfect it here on this plane. But perfection isn't the point; persistence and continuously trying is.

Unfortunately, there is a huge contingent of people out there who call themselves Christians, who have forsaken Christianity for an easier, man-made, watered-down version of it: fundamentalism.

They truly give Christianity a bad name and I'm sure they are who both Gandhi and Chesterson were thinking about in those statements.

Answer 3

I would think that the person that wrote the quote believes in Christ and enjoys the whole persona about Christ as far as Christs followers that individual does not particularly agree with Christians. People can say they are Christian but that doesn't make them a Christian. We aren't perfect so there is no correct answer. Maybe Ghandi believed in worshiping following Christ, but not worshiping or following Christians

Answer 4

I agree.

I have a goal, which is to become more Christ-like. I believe that God has the same goal for me. Frankly, I think Ghandi would have liked to be more Christ-like also, from what I know of him.

I think it would change the world if everyone who called themselves Christian really meant it in the original sense of the word. I think the world would approach Utopia if 75% of the people who say Jesus was a good man and a wise teacher believed even that simple statement enough to do what he taught.

But we don't. We get wrapped up in our own narcisistic shells, and we don't think of the benefits of simply being kind to each other, much less attaining "love your enemy" status.

I would argue with Paul over his statement that "Christ died for sinners, of whom I am chief". I have not the right to pick up a stone to throw unless I am willing to beat myself in the head with it first. But fool that I am, even I recognize that all the world would be better for emulating Christ.

Answer 5

Ghandi was merely pointing out the obvious: that Christ himself is a compelling figure, even to a non-believer, but that Christians very often don't live up to his example. We are still sinners even after we have accepted Christ. Some do a better job of others of trying to live Christ-like lives but many fail miserably.

Answer 6

Well when you consider the wars in human history over religion you realize that most religions have not adhered to the principles of their founders (or founding documents in the case of Ghandi's own Hinduism).. Ofcourse you could say the same thing about non religious philosophies as well, that have turned violent. In that context Ghandis statement can certainly be seen as justified. The lesson is that you cannot look to groups of people as your example. Men should look to honourable individuals and to principles themselves (such as, in the case of Christianity, biblical principles) Ofcourse Ghandi may also have had his own personal theological issues with Christianity that he decided to toss in the same box. i would say on that he was off. Christians taught that jesus was the only way to god and so did Christ. However, Christ preached against violence and yet professed Christians have not rejected it. Look to honourable individual examples and to principles not to groups. Entire groups tend to almost always wonder astray.

Answer 7

Yea i've heard this before. It just makes me really sad, Ghandi was such an amazing man, he could have done so much for God in his life but didnt because some Christians rejected him because he wasn't white.It makes me wonder how many others where turned away because they were different..
Really gives me something to think about.. im an ambassador of Christ on this earth and whatever i do should reflect His character. If i act badly it reflects badly on Him.
God bless

Answer 8

I never read it but I like it.

Kinda sums up all religions except Mormon

Here's Martin Luther King's quote on Mormons" Crazy White Futhermuckers theys worser than da baptists" "Somebody getme that speach on the mountain top I feel lucky today"

Answer 9

Most Christians are more concerned with following Paul and the other apostles' teachings than actually following Jesus' teaching. Otherwise, this quote would not have such a sting of truth to it.

Answer 10

I was just writing this in an answer to another question. I agree with Mahatma Ghandi that some of the Christians seem to be poor followers of Jesus, at times, myself too. We need to be more loving and less judgmental. After all, judgment will come to everyone soon enough. We don't need more judges we need more Christian lovers... that's agape love, by the way.

Answer 11

Apparently Ghandi was a little judgemental. The majority of Christians are good people. Too many people here let the fact that there are a few Christians who have done bad things or try to push their religion on others paint their entire view of the largest religion in the world. It's ridiculous. Even an objective atheist would have to agree with that.

Let's all try to be a little less judgemental than Ghandi was and not make sweeping generalizations.

Please see towelieban barbie's answer below. Context for a quote like this is key.