Was Gandhi Clueless?

Here's some Gandhi quotes about Christianity:

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
 

I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
 

I consider western Christianity in its practical working a negation of Christ’s Christianity.
 

It is impossible for me to reconcile myself to the idea of conversion after the style that goes on in India and elsewhere today.
 

From these quotes it's clear Gandhi didn't understand the bible or Christianity.   He only used Christianity as a way to hate on the British and help get his way.  No doubt Gandhi had a sharp tongue and solid methods for throwing out the British but his views on faith get shaky real fast.  Let's examine each quote.





This first quote references Exodus 21:24, a passage frequently misinterpreted.  The core of the passage isn't about gouging someone's eye out but having the punishment fit the crime.  "Eye for an eye" is a much better punishment than taking two eyes for a crime of one.  Plus if you read further along in the bible you arrive at Matthew 5:38 where Jesus talks of even more restraint and forgiveness.






Captain obvious strikes again!  No duh we're unlike Christ, he's God and we're a bunch of farting knuckleheads.  The world needs to get over the fact Christians aren't perfect and read the bible already.  The whole point of Christ is because we aren't perfect (not to mention judging a faith based on a culture of people is very intellectually limiting).






Similar to the previous quote Gandhi had where he's condemning a group of non-perfect people and the religion at the same time.  Jesus isn't ever going to be happy with a culture's version of Christianity, just read Revelations 2 about the seven letters written to the seven churches.  And if Jesus ain't happy who cares what Gandhi thinks!  West, north, east, south, no matter what the culture we're gonna fall short in some way.






Apparently Gandhi wasn't happy with the whole Christian evangelism thing.  I'm not sure why he was so scared of Christianity.  What's the big deal if people want to talk to other people about their religion and explore what they believe?  It's not like anyone was shouting "convert or die"!



While Gandhi is held in high regard inside of history books his comprehension of basic Christian ideals was poor.  Like many people today Gandhi had a kindergarten knowledge of an easy to understand faith.  All he and anyone need do is read the bible.