Hi folks, I hope you are well, this week we are meeting at 8.00pm at the Crescent Club in the upstairs front lounge. This week we are thinking about Mahatma Gandhi…
Born in January 1869 – he was a lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and into political ethics. He is also known for his non-violent resistance that led to India’s independence from British Rule. And so he has become an inspiration for non-violent civil rights and freedom across the world.
He lived in South Africa for 21 years as a lawyer and raised a family, eventually returning to India at the age of 45. He set about organising peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic peace, end untouchability, and above all to achieve self-rule.
He adopted the loincloth that same year to identify himself with the poor. He lived in self sufficient community, ate simple vegetarian foods and went on long periods of fasting for self purification and protest.
In August 1947, Britain granted India independence but the British Indian Empire was partitioned into two dominions, a Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. As many displaced Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs made their way to their new lands religious violence broke out, especially in the Punjab and Bengal.
Gandhi visited the affected areas, attempting to provide solace. In the months following, he undertook several fasts unto death to stop religious violence. The last of these, undertaken on 12 January 1948 when he was 78, had the indirect goal of pressuring India to pay out some cash assets owed to Pakistan.
Gandhi was assassinated on the 30th January 1948.
Some questions
What’s the longest amount of time you have not eaten for?
What are your thoughts on fasting?
What do you think about non-violence, particularly in the light of extinction rebellion?
Which biblical characters does he remind you of?
Gandhi was obviously concerned about lots of issues, what do you think are the two or three issues of our time that you are concerned about?
Peace, Rob
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.
