Thursday, December 30, 2010

A Comparison Between Gandhi and Jesus

When I was a Junior at Virginia Tech in 2006, I took a class focusing on the life of Gandhi. It was extremely interesting and insightful. As a final project, I did a comparison of Gandhi and Jesus. I wrote a paper but could only find this summary. I think it’s important to compare the two men when considering Gandhi’s life and work because so much of what he believed was inspired by Jesus, although Gandhi never did accept the Christian faith as his own but remained a Hindu, which I learned to be a pretty fluid faith without solid beliefs in one thing.

In addition to studying the life of Gandhi, there are similarities found when studying the life of other social movement leaders and those who practiced nonviolent resistance in order to bring about change. However, I do believe that Jesus was the first to practice, preach, and embody these concepts and it is important to give credit where credit is due.

I recently submitted this comparison to be published on a site I have been writing articles for called Factoidz. They did not wish to publish this article so I am sharing it here. Nonetheless, Factoidz is quite an enjoyable site that pays authors according to the number of views articles receive. If you would like to write articles for Factoidz too, you can sign up through my affiliate link, which gives me a little bonus should you be promoted to a staff writer one day and saves you from a longer application process.

Here is A Comparison Between Gandhi and Jesus:

Similarity:

Large crowds would gather to hear them speak. They were highly attractive to people and carried a unique message.

Difference:

Lots of what people today have learned about Gandhi is from his own recorded thoughts. There are four recordings of the life of Jesus, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. None of these were recorded by Jesus himself.

Similarity:

Both men believed that everyone should love their enemies.

Difference:

The two men differed as to whom and what should be considered an enemy.

Similarity:

Both men led movements and acquired a group of followers.

Difference:

Jesus’ followers had a stronger commitment than Gandhi’s followers. Even after the death of Jesus, many of his followers died for him and many more came to follow him.

Similarity:

Both men reached out to people that were the outcasts of society. Gandhi reached out to the Untouchables in India. Jesus reached out to the prostitutes and tax collectors in his time. He also reached out to Samaritans as recorded in John 4.

Difference:

Gandhi sought Truth and equated God with Truth. Jesus claimed to be the Truth as recorded in John 8:32 and John 14:6.

Similarity:

Both men greatly influenced their communities and other communities around the world.

Difference:

Jesus’ influence has been much greater and his time on earth was much shorter. Jesus died at age 33 whereas Gandhi died at age 79.

Similarity:

Both men opposed authority figures. Gandhi opposed the British authority whereas Jesus opposed the Sadducees and Pharisees.

Difference:

Jesus did not break the law but Gandhi did. Jesus was blameless and pointed out the wrong doings of the authority but did not break the law. (Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 5:17, John 18:23, Luke 23:39-43)

Similarity:

Both men took the burden of others onto themselves.

Difference:

They went about taking the burden of others onto themselves in different ways. Gandhi volunteered to fast for others to make peace. Jesus did not volunteer to undergo torture was captured. He did not fight back or refuse abuse. It is recorded that he dreaded taking on the burden of others but knew it must be done and accepted the torture he knew he would undergo. (Matthew 26:36-39, Luke 22:24, John 12:27)

Similarity:

Both men were killed for their causes.

Difference:

Gandhi died and left his followers without his leadership. The Bible records that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his followers. As a follower of Jesus, it is written that one is baptized by the Holy Spirit, (Luke 3:16), and Jesus promises that he will be with his followers forever, (Matthew 28:19, 20 & John 16:33).

31 comments:

  1. Gandhi actually brought about change.. Where as Jesus died trying. And yeah Jesus broke the law- That's why they crucified him :p blasphemy and treason had different meanings back then..

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    1. Your ignorance is offensive but I appreciate the dialogue. Do you not realize that Jesus chose to die for a purpose? And do you not realize that Jesus said that his followers would go onto do greater things than him. His change has not stopped. Treason?? How so?

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    2. Anon- In christian worldviews, it is that that Jesus died for our sins evoking a change in our final destiny and giving mankind a chance to go to heaven, what this means ultimately is that sure Jesus is god's son, humans kill him, he allows them to kill him (the bible says he knew that he would be sold out for the blasphemy and treason..), he returns to God and redeems us.
      The importance of these two people is that when it seems like everyone has forsaken you, they are on your side. they brought hope to large groups.
      Whether you believe in either one of them, to say one or the other did not bring change you gotta look around yourself. They are icons for hope.
      Im not a hardcore christian, i just took a class about it recently and am sharing some thoughts

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    3. You have to remember that when Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate he could not find a reason to crucify him. It was only because of the crowds gathered there that he did. He wanted to protect his popularity.

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  2. Very insightful comparison, as I sit watching "Gandhi" and thinking how his kingdom was of the earth, whereas, Christ said, His kingdom is not of the earth, but heaven. His was a spiritual conquest over death. But, hedonism can't understand. God Incarnate is a bit deeper than a Gandhi. He was a good man, but because he did not convert to the one, true, faith, he was not crowned for any of his work.

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  3. I'm watching Gandhi now on TV and my first thought was about the similarities between Jesus and Gandhi. thank you for your insight.

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  4. A nice Comparison, I wish there was alot more to read as it is very interesting.
    I may sound daft but as a Roman Catholic I do beleive God does send us messengers and I believe Ghandi was the world's messanger within the last 100 years.
    I do not believe in the "Risen Jesus" but I do believe in the Man and his message. I don't believe in alot of what the Catholic Church preaches because I can't help but think that if Jesus was here today he would be deeply offended by his named being attached to this organisation. even if their initial intentions and practises are for positive reasons.

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    1. Why dont you believe in "risen Jesus"?

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    2. Jesus Christ is Lord, and he has risen! Though Ghandi is a respected figure, he comes NOWHERE NEAR the MAJESTY AND POWER OF CHRIST JESUS. Jesus Christ dwelt in the flesh, taking YOUR DEBT and MY DEBT (OUR SINS) AND TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF AS HIS OWN by dying on the cross. JESUS CHRIST is your Creator, from eternity past to eternity future. And by the way, If both are messengers of God, why would one contradict the other? Would future revelation contradict past revelation? Does that make sense to you? Would an omniscient God really contradict Himself? Don't think so precariously before blurting out blasphemy. Let Christ into your heart, so you can know the true, triune God. Jesus, who Himself stated that he WOULD RISE and afterwards, appearing to his disciples after he ROSE, made it very clear his purpose for dying and rising again. How can you say you would KNOW JESUS would be OFFENDED if you don't even believe what He said when He was on Earth? Just something of great significance you need to consider.

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    3. That is for you to say mate.
      Jesus is just a figure within history.
      A religion to some.
      Gandhi was a man who accepted ALL religions and praised them.
      Yes , they can be COMPARED.
      Jesus may have died for you.
      Gandhi died for everyone. BECAUSE HE DIED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE.
      I know Catholics and Christians say that Jesus wanted peace as well.
      And I admit that he said that and all of it is good.
      But still I say...dont put Gandhi down , because he did the greater good as well.
      Not just in religion , but in a way of human nature.
      Accept it.
      Dont deny it.

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  5. I found this a interesting to read Good job on the comparisons :D

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    1. you wrote this 2 days before my birthday. -_-

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    2. you wrote this comment 2 days after my birthday. -_-

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    3. You wrote that one day after mine -_-

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  6. Thanks for helping me with a paper! :D

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  7. This was very helpful. I'm glad you put the bible verses, so everyone can see for themselves. Gandhi would be considered like the "modern Jesus" but he was not a Christian. Quote from Gandhi- "“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Wow. doesn't that speak a lot?

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    1. Haha definitely not modern Jesus, because there is no one that can save like Jesus. Maybe a great prophet or server of Christ :)
      Unless he dreads to be a leader and not a server. Jesus Christ, claiming to be the son of God, came and served. Please don’t suppose that Jesus came to bring peace to earth because he did not, but in fact to give us a sword. Ghandi’s just smart. Jesus Christ Saves.

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  8. um he actually never broke the law, if u read the bible youll see that jesus surpasses the law of moses (establishes christianity)
    And u said jesus died trying? Who made a bigger impact on the world? JC, his death was only the beginning of the spread of Christianity (great commission) u make it sound like he failed he didnt :)

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  9. This really helped me with my homework, thank you :-)

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    1. Agreed this helped me very well too! Kukubop with a harlem drop

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  10. Historical inaccuracy? Ask any historian and see what they tell you about the reliability of the accounts of the Gospel. Even Greeks who despised Jesus could not deny Him. Responsible for crusades, nukes, slavery, porn, racism, and genocides? Sounds like the absence of God to me. It's funny how everything God tells man not to do, they do it anyway, and then people like you who refuse to hold a mirror to your face will blame YHWH for it. And yes, whether you acknowledge it or not, you exist by the grace of Christ Jesus. He could make you forget every language you've ever learned as you blaspheme His name behind your computer screen. But no, he's a merciful God who would let you do that because you don't know Him. He gives you an entire lifetime to accept Him into your heart. Your creator loves you.

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  11. Hi Ricegum! This article is very useful for our project and I agree with this article

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  12. This helped me very much with my group project. It really expands on the topic. Hi mom!

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  13. This sight has been a real help for my homework, thx for this information.

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  14. I see the biggest difference to be that Jesus claims to be God and Ghandi sought God. I believe both brought great strenght and power to people.

    The fact that we compare them does not make them equal. This is only a listing of similarities and differences as "you" see them.. Very enjoyable but also relatively short, abrupt, shallow, not in depth. superficial... my vocabulary seems to be lacking here, I"m old. It's very elementary I think is a better word. I did not want to cast any negatives on this.

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  15. Jesus with all his power did nothing when his followers burned people in his name, Jailed Galileo for eight years and allowed his churches and theologians to fester in their mistake for hundreds of years), experts in Christian theology expounded the virtues of slavery and accompanying brutality. When his followers in America, fought a brutal civil war and killed each other (more than half million), he even did not care put a simple sign in the sky "STOP IT". (It would have saved thousands of lives). On the other hand Gandhi never hesitated to stop his agitation when his followers start killing few British
    to the dismay of his supporters.(read Dr. King's sermon on Gandhi)

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    1. We weren't created to be robots but were given free will. Jesus said that not everyone who calls him Master will enter the kingdom of God, (Matt. 7:21-23). He said he'll say, "I never knew you. Get away from me evil doers." You say he did nothing but to those who seek him, study his work, and pray to his father, we see results on a daily basis. They may not be as obvious as words written in the sky, because he's not a magician and is not needing to reveal himself to those who don't seek him. I will check out Dr. King's sermon on Gandhi.

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    2. Plus, as far as writing a phrase in the sky that would've saved thousands of lives, he did give us a huge book to live by.

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  16. can you give us similarities of their teaching

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