by Rev. Frederick L. Pattison
from his booklet “Challenging: Gay & Lesbian Baptists“
Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned leader of the people of India, in seeking to overthrow British colonial rule of his native land, was an avid reader. Although a Hindu, in his quest for freedom, he read the four Christian Gospels. He wanted to know more about Jesus of Nazareth. In his reading of the Gospels, Gandhi was impressed with this man whom Christians worship and follow. Where could he find out more about this Jesus whom Christians refer to as “the Christ – the Messiah?”
One Sunday morning Gandhi decided that he would visit one of the Christian churches in Calcutta. Upon seeking entrance to the church sanctuary, he was stopped at the door by the ushers. The ushers told him that he was not welcome, nor would he be permitted to attend this particular church as it was for ‘high caste’ Indians and ‘whites’ only. He was neither ‘high caste’, nor was he British. Because of the rejection by this church, ‘the Mahatma’ turned his back on Christianity. With this act, Gandhi rejected the Christian faith, never again to consider the claims of Christ! He was ‘turned-off’ by the sin of segregation that was practiced by the church. Gandhi later declared, “I’d be a Christian if it were not for the Christians!”
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Note by Mary: WOW! Did you read that? Gandhi said, “I would be a Christian if it wasn’t for the Christians!” I’m sure you think that you would never reject a seeker, and yet, you are practicing segregation – the same segregation that rejected Gandhi, when you reject us. You’re just being more polite about it than the ushers were with Gandhi.
Who are you to judge us? You’re not God. Even if you personally don’t approve of us, won’t you please just love us enough to welcome us – without your own personal judgement of us, and just let God deal with us? I worry for your souls, and how you will answer on Judgement Day when Jesus asks you why you made us feel so unwelcome.