THESE are times when an increasing number of those who believe in peace and sanity are beginning to see religion as a curse.
This is because of the reign of terror let loose by self-appointed and fundamentalist ‘custodians’ of religion.
Followers of any religion cannot also be violent and destructive, for the two are mutually exclusive.
Jesus Christ was probably known as much for the miracles he performed in the process of alleviating human suffering as for his eclectic philosophy. However, that does not take away from the fact that he epitomised a great mission.
Christ interpreted the religious credo in a rational and existentialist manner. God bore no religious denominational identity, for he could not be fettered by any institution. To him, the spirit of religion meant more than its identity.
Jesus Christ lived by what he propounded. Not once in his 33 years did he identify himself with any particular religion. No one knew for certain then, and no one knows
deven now, what his religious identity was. Jesus Christ lived the greater part of his life in Nazareth, serving an apprenticeship at his father Joseph’s carpentry workshop.
He was well versed in Scriptures. For someone who had no claims to formal education, Jesus could interpret Scriptures with great facility. He was particularly knowledgeable about religious philosophy which was more rational than dogmatic. His thoughts were benign. To him, religion was a means to seek God within, to attain to a higher human plane, getting closer to the ideal of the perfect being.
Jesus did not preach self-denial. He didn’t say that denouncement of everyday chores of life was a precondition to spiritual quest, religious fanaticism should not retard rationality.
Real peace cannot be achieved by running away from the turbulence of living. It had to come from within, even in the midst of chaos. Christ’s healing touch is palpable even today.
Writings on Jesus Christ’s life tend to focus more on his healing powers and the miracles he performed. But Christ’s real mission was to help people rise above bigotry. He tried to initiate a thought process that would elevate the human spirit to a divine high.
P.K. MONTGOMERY
Caboolture, Qld
