Randy Suits

The Non-Violent Independence of India

My darling Ewa,

With the riots in the streets and political unrest in our country, it brings to mind the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi who was instrumental in the struggle for independence of India. In 1908 Leo Tolstoy wrote ‘A Letter to a Hindu’ which said that only by using love as a weapon through passive resistance could the Indian people overthrow colonial rule. Mahatma Gandhi was in agreement with Tolstoy for both shared the same beliefs regarding state authority and colonialism; both hated violence and taught non-resistance. The concept of nonviolence and nonresistance has a long history in Indian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Christian religious thought and contexts. Applying the principle of nonviolence required incredible faith and courage. Gandhi was a major figure in the struggle for Indian independence from 1915 to 1947. Beginning in 1918 he lead many peasant uprisings with the principles of nonviolence winning concessions from authorities. To strengthen the independence movement, Ghandi included women when many thought that political activities were not respectable for women. In March 1930 Ghandi launched a march against the tax on salt. He strongly favored emancipation of women giving women a new self-confidence and dignity in mainstream public life, recruiting women to participate in the salt tax campaign and national boycotts. He also opposed child marriage, untouchability and the extreme oppression of Hindu widows. In all causes, Gandhi lived his faith and beliefs and never raised a weapon or encouraged violence in the struggle for freedom. He was the single most influencial spiritual and political leader in the independence of India in 1947. He said, “If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children”. A most profound truth spoken from his lips was, “Be the change that you want the world to be.” This truth was lived and taught by our Lord Jesus Christ in his brief 33 1/2 year life on earth. Jesus avoided politics and focused instead of releasing the captives (sinners) in a spiritual battle for the souls of men by setting an holy example, teaching the Word of God his Father, healing the sick, resurrecting the dead and giving his life on a cruel cross to redeem the called of God. But praise the Lord God Almighty, He rose from the dead to prepare a place for us giving us freedom and independence from the devil, our accuser and tormentor. Jesus taught nonviolence (turn the other cheek also) in winning the war against powers, principalities, thrones, dominions and spiritual wickedness in high places (the evil world system). Jesus also taught equality of women, social classes (untouchability) and oppression of widows. Both men lost their lives. Gandhi was assassinated but Jesus Christ willingly gave his life for us when we were still sinners. We respect and admire the courage of Gandhi in the nonviolent independence of India. But we worship and adore the only sinless man, the son of the Most High God and our Lord Jesus Christ the risen Savior of our souls.

Jesus Christ is Lord of All, Kochany