Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

Page 41

GANDHI BEFORE GANDHI
blunder as I conceive, of the Christian missionary movement, lies in the fact of dogmatic aggressiveness-a spirit of antagonism to all other religions, which soon graduates into bitter denunciation. It first declares that "the whole mankind-all human souls-are under the ban of divine-displeasure. It declares that all men are conceived in sin and born in iniquity, and denies to human nature every good thing. In this view all men breathe naturally only corruption. The universal mind is a machine of evil and only evil. Its capabilities are towards destruction. Its capacities are reservoirs of darkness and sin. Its aspirations are downward toward perdition; its hopes, ill-founded, are blasting vagaries of corruption. It comes and goes eternally doomed. It cannot help itself and knows no source of help". This, in my view, is the Christian missionary's first postulate and ground of effort for the so-called redemption of mankind. Its second declaration contains a scheme of redemption-a plan of salvation, which to my thought and not to mine alone) is as unreasonable and repulsive as its first proposition. It is that, men must be saved through the merits and blood vicariously shed of a savior. It declares that acceptance of that savior and reliance, in that vicarious atonement are essential to human deliverance. Without the knowledge of this plan of salvation, it denies all moral possibilities and spiritual regeneration. Ignorance of the name of that savior is no excuse and refusal to accept the dogmatic terms of salvation serves only to intensify the damnation which is already the birth right of all human souls. The spirit of this Gospel refuses to recognize natural goodness, moral aspirations and spiritual worship emanating from any other source.
thought of mankind within and without the Christian fold has begun to question the virtue, the divinity, the humanity, of such a propagandist!!? Can one wonder that the question is propounded "Is Christianity a failure?","Are missions failures?" and why does the world refuse to accept the salvation thus offered? I have no word to say in criticism of the supposed personal character and life of one who is claimed by these dogmatists to be the savior of the world. I honor and respect all efforts for the uplifting of mankind, no matter under what name. But to aim for him and for his devotion, the exclusive virtue and saving grace which these false interpreters of his life declare is, in my view is to rob him of his real glory and rob mankind of its legitimate-influence and uplifting virtue of his devotion, and consecration. Admitting the purity of his life, the grandeur of his own devotion, the beauty of his character and the truth of his ethical teachings, it yet, remains to be said that thousands of years before his birth amongst men, similar masters appeared who taught the same truth, achieved equal character and injected into the philosophies and thought of mankind, the same inspirations and many of them sealed the genuineness of their devotions with their own blood.
Recognize and build upon the undoubted and unquestionable truth which is found in all religions
Referring to the religion and philosophy of my own people and to the history of the lives of the illustrious prophets and regenerators, whose names are sacred in our thoughts, I have to say that no Christian minister can point to a single moral truth or ethical statement in his new testament
In the face of these declarations, is it to be wondered that the enlightened