Why a Hindu Accepts Christ and Rejects Churchianity
by Swami Abhedananda
A Hindu distinguishes the religion of the churches from
the religion of Jesus Christ. Speaking from the Hindu standpoint,
the religion that the churches uphold and preach today, that has
been built around the personality of Jesus the Christ, and which is
popularly known as Christianity, should be called 'Churchianity',
in contradistinction to that pure religion of the heart that was
taught by Jesus the Christ and practised by his disciples. The
religion of Christ or true Christianity had no dogma, no creed, no
system, and no theology. It was a religion of the heart, a religion
without any ceremonies, without ritual, without priest-craft. It
was not based upon any book, but upon the feelings of the heart,
upon direct communion of the individual soul with the heavenly
Father. On the contrary, the religion of the church is based upon a
book, believes in dogmas, professes a creed, has an organized
system for preaching it, is backed up by theologies, performs
rituals, practises ceremonials, and obeys the commands of a host of
priests.
The religion of Christ was a religion of love,
renunciation and self-control; it was a religion of
God-consciousness. As these are the highest ideals among the
Hindus, they accept Christ and His true religion in so far as it is
one with their ideals; but when they see that Churchianity does not
preach renunciation, and that its advocates do not practise love
for all, nor show self-control, when they see that Christian
governments encourage vice by opium trade, liquor trade, and
introduce intoxicating things among innocent and temperate people
for the sake of gain, they reject a religion which allows such
things. They believe in Jesus the Christ as the Son of God, and
know that he did not teach such things.
The duty of true religion is to broaden the human mind,
to open the spiritual eyes, to lead humanity to the realization of
oneness with the supreme Father in Heaven, and to repress all
quarrels over dogmas and creeds. As long as we are not spiritual,
we fight and quarrel, but when we realize that God dwells within
us, that we are all children of God, irrespective of nationality,
creed or denomination, when we rise above all dogmas, above
beliefs, theories, and sectarianism, then, and then alone, we are
the true followers of the Christ. Then, and then alone, are we able
to say with Jesus, "I and my Father are one". The Hindus leave
aside the disputed personality that dwells in each individual soul
and believes that each soul is a latent Christ. They believe that
the voice of God tells this truth within each soul, but we do not
listen to it, through our ignorance and selfishness. Krishna says:
"Giving up all the formalities of religion, come unto Me, take
refuge in Me, I shall make thee free from sins, sorrows and
sufferings".
Jesus says: "Come unto Me all ye that are weary and
heavy-laden and I will give you rest". Let us listen to that voice,
for it is one and the same, and let us follow it. Let us realize
the spirit of true Christianity that was exhibited in the life of
Jesus of Nazareth. Let us live as he lived, and be living Christs
on earth. The Hindu is not satisfied merely to accept Christ in
theory, but he strives hard to live the life, which Jesus lived, to
lead a life of renunciation, of self-control and of love to all.
Thus he seeks to fulfil the mandates of that eternal Religion which
is taught by Christ-Krishna, Christ-Buddha, and Christ-Jesus.
From : http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Religion/2006/04/26/01185.html
