Garth Rattray | My impression of Christianity

I attended St George’s College for my secondary education. At that time, it was managed by Roman Catholic priests. A lot of emphasis was placed on the Christian religion and on Roman Catholicism in particular; so much so that I became a Roman Catholic. I flirted with the idea of becoming a Roman Catholic priest, but some aspects of ‘religion’ clashed with my personality, so I abandoned the idea.

I see religion as a guide for some. It provides a map, not the only map. I believe that there can be many maps that lead to the same place. Some wrongfully believe that being religious is the goal of their spiritual development, but I believe that being religious is only the beginning. I expect Christians to practice the precepts of this wonderful religion; but I have been repeatedly disappointed.

I know someone who exhibits the best principles of Christianity, and he is Hindu. His entire life epitomises what Jesus the Christ asked us to do. Yet, because he is not ‘Christian’, many Christians will condemn him and say that he is hopelessly lost, when in fact, they are the ones who are hopelessly lost and they don’t even know it!

PERSONAL MISGIVINGS

Additionally, I have many personal misgivings about religion in general. Several religions and denominations are unnecessarily, and overly rigid in their views on life, on other religions, and on how their denomination ought to be practised. I find that very disconcerting, since Yeshua went to great pains in His attempt to free us from the confines of ‘religion’. He tried to allow us to appreciate the big picture, God, and to be cognisant that we are all God’s children. We should focus our lives on God, and we should treat one another as brothers and sisters. His message transcended religion, yet it encompassed all religions in its open message of love towards everyone. Sadly, and shockingly, at one time or another, and even until this day, several religions facilitate, encourage and even practise the antithesis of Yeshua’s teachings, and seek to (somehow) justify their actions with their holy book(s).

According to the Internet search, the major religious groups are represented by Christianity (31.2 per cent), Islam (24.1 per cent), no religion (16 per cent), Hinduism (15.1 per cent), Buddhism (6.9 per cent), folk religions (5.7 per cent), Sikhism (0.3 per cent), and Judaism (0.2 per cent). In one way or the other, most require some sort of sacrifice. Such sacrifices require that something physical and precious be given up for spiritual reasons. This kind of sacrifice is defined as “… a religious rite in which an object is offered to a divinity in order to establish, maintain, or restore a right relationship of a human being to the sacred order”. Since the gift of life is the most precious thing on Earth, some religions demanded human sacrifice in order to appease a deity.

The Old Testament relates the story of Abraham; he knew that some Canaanites practised child sacrifice. Although God promised Abraham that “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned”, God tested his faith by requiring him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of Moriah. Abraham obediently travelled to the region of Moriah for the sacrifice. He prepared the site, bound Isaac and was about to slice his throat when an angel of the Lord stopped him. Abraham passed his test.

SEE THE PARALLEL

One can’t help but see the parallel of sorts between that anecdote and the sacrifice that Yeshua made for us. Here it was, Yeshua, infused with the Holy Spirit, the only Son of God, powerful, a part of the Triune of God, submitted Himself to be tortured and sacrificed as atonement for our sins, and to prove to us that there is indeed power over (what we see as) death. Having done that, there is no more need for that degree of sacrifice. Many people still ‘sacrifice’ something physical/mundane in order to achieve something spiritual. For instance, Roman Catholic priests and nuns are supposed to sacrifice their sexual life in order to become closer to Jesus Christ and God. Many people undergo fasting in order to gain something spiritual.

In other words, what we know is that spiritual advancement, getting closer to God, demands some kind of sacrifice. Sometimes it is thrust upon us, as it was with Job –through physical and/or emotional pain and suffering. Sometimes we voluntarily sacrifice certain pleasures, or food, or drink in order to suppress our mundaneness and allow us to focus our thoughts on religious/spiritual matters. But many people fail to realise that sacrificing some of their everyday bad habits and urges are essential to their spiritual development. I am referring to things like hate, jealousy, selfishness, animosity, and bad mind.

When Jesus the Christ announced that it is only through Him that we can get to our Heavenly Father, it is interpreted as meaning that it is only through Christianity that we can do so. But Yeshua was Jewish, so He could not be referring to what we call Christianity. Furthermore, He also said that He did not come to destroy the old religion; He came to show us a new way. I believe that Jesus the Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit, which surpasses all earthly kingdoms, all races, all social constructs, and all religions. Christianity is about the Holy Spirit, which is for everyone.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.