Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist: "In class, your small groups went over movie questions about the content in Gandhi. You should know who each of the main characters are and t..."

Gandhi, the father and political/spiritual leader of India was generally a Hindu. However, he was tolerant of all the religions. There was a part in the movie where many people convinced Gandhi not to go to a Muslim location but he got frustrated and said he was Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and every other existing religion. He exhibits the Hindu characteristic of accepting all the religions which was one of the Hindu traits. He convinced everyone else in India to accept and appreciate all the religions of the world. At the end of the movie when there was the India-Pakistan separation, he started a fast because he didn't like the idea of Hindu and Muslim separation and discrimination. He wanted Hindus and Muslims to be united like it was previously. He believed that the idea of Hindus living in India and Muslims living in Pakistan would result in enmity and wars between the two countries. During his fast, we can see how he is willing to sacrifice himself for his nation if his nation is not willing to unite (Hindus and Muslims). We can see how strong his belief in unity of religions is.

Gandhi once quoted "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind". This quote tells us he supported non-violence. We can see that Gandhi believed that violence would only cause damage or even worse. He didn't believe that the answer to hostility/antagonism was war. We can see that even in the movie, he responds to everything in a peaceful manner. For example, during the end of the movie he decided to go on a fast or moral blackmailed his nation instead of facing war because he knew that war would involve the death of several people and a  havoc. Therefore, he decided to moral blackmail his people. That way there wouldn't be deaths, there wouldn't be a keos in the surroundings and his people would stop the Hindu-Muslim separation because they wouldn't want the father of India to die. Throughout the movie we can see Gnadhi supprting his idea of non-violence because he knew that its not the wisest decision to take revenge on the opponent because that way both sides end up getting hurt. He encountered his problems peacefully and without violence. He also encouraged his colleagues and his people to support non-violence and promoted it. Today he is known for his policy of non-violence. He established this idea through all his actions in the movie.