My Religion - What I Believe

1. The essence of Jesus' teachings is often obscured by religious institutions

The Church has surrendered to the world, and simply follows in the train of its victor.

Institutional distortion: Religious organizations often prioritize their own power and traditions over the core teachings of Jesus. This has led to a situation where the original, transformative message of Christianity has been buried under layers of dogma, ritual, and institutional self-preservation.

Consequences of misinterpretation:

• Loss of ethical guidance
• Emphasis on belief over action
• Justification of practices contrary to Jesus' teachings (e.g., violence, wealth accumulation)
• Alienation of those seeking genuine spiritual wisdom

The challenge for sincere seekers is to look beyond the interpretations offered by established churches and engage directly with Jesus' words and actions as recorded in the Gospels.

2. True Christianity involves living according to Jesus' actual teachings

The doctrine of Jesus is the light. The light shines forth, and the darkness cannot conceal it.

Practical application: Jesus' teachings were not meant to be abstract philosophical concepts, but a guide for daily living. True Christianity, according to Tolstoy, requires a radical reorientation of one's life priorities and actions.

Key aspects of Jesus' practical teachings:

• Love for all, including enemies
• Non-violence and non-resistance to evil
• Simplicity and rejection of material excess
• Forgiveness and reconciliation
• Service to others, especially the marginalized

This understanding of Christianity demands active engagement with the world and a constant striving to align one's behavior with Jesus' example and instructions.

3. The doctrine of non-resistance to evil is central to Jesus' message

Resist not evil: no matter what happens, "Resist not."

Radical non-violence: This teaching, often overlooked or rationalized away, is at the heart of Jesus' ethical system. It calls for a complete rejection of violence, even in self-defense or in response to injustice.

Implications of non-resistance:

• Rejection of war and military service
• Refusal to participate in violent punishment systems
• Responding to aggression with love and understanding
• Seeking alternative methods of conflict resolution

This doctrine challenges deeply held societal beliefs about justice, security, and the role of force in human affairs. It requires a profound trust in the power of love and goodness to ultimately overcome evil.

4. Jesus advocated for a radical reinterpretation of traditional religious laws

Jesus did not invent nothing, he promises nothing through divine power; side by side with this personal life, which is a delusion, he simply reveals to men the truth.

Spiritual revolution: Jesus' teachings often directly challenged or reinterpreted existing religious laws and traditions. He emphasized the spirit of the law over literal adherence to rules.

Examples of Jesus' reinterpretations:

• Sabbath observance: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"
• Dietary laws: "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person"
• Ritual purity: Emphasizing inner purity over external cleanliness
• Treatment of outcasts: Associating with those considered "unclean" or sinful

This approach to religious law emphasizes personal responsibility, compassion, and the primacy of love over rigid rule-following.

5. The Kingdom of God is not an afterlife, but a way of living in the present

The kingdom of God upon earth consists in this that all men should be at peace with one another.

Present reality: Tolstoy argues that Jesus' concept of the Kingdom of God was not about a future heavenly realm, but a transformed way of living in the here and now.

Characteristics of the Kingdom of God on earth:

• Universal peace and harmony
• Absence of violence and exploitation
• Mutual care and support among all people
• Living according to God's will as taught by Jesus

This interpretation shifts the focus of Christianity from securing a favorable afterlife to creating a just and loving society in the present moment through individual and collective action.

6. Modern society and governments often act contrary to Jesus' teachings

We make the word poverty a synonym for calamity, but it is in truth a source of happiness, and however much we may regard it as a calamity, it remains a source of happiness still.

Systemic contradiction: Tolstoy points out that many aspects of modern society, including government structures, economic systems, and social norms, are fundamentally at odds with Jesus' teachings.

Areas of conflict between society and Jesus' doctrine:

• Military and police forces (vs. non-violence)
• Accumulation of wealth (vs. simplicity and sharing)
• Punitive justice systems (vs. forgiveness and rehabilitation)
• Nationalism and patriotism (vs. universal love)

This realization calls for a critical examination of societal structures and personal participation in systems that may violate core Christian principles.

7. Embracing Jesus' doctrine requires personal transformation and social change

The doctrine of Jesus consists in the elevation of the son of man, that is, in the recognition on the part of man, that he, man, was the Son of God.

Holistic change: Fully adopting Jesus' teachings necessitates both an inner spiritual transformation and an active engagement with changing social structures.

Steps toward embracing Jesus' doctrine:

1. Personal reflection and moral inventory
2. Repentance and commitment to new ways of living
3. Cultivation of love, compassion, and forgiveness
4. Active non-participation in unjust or violent systems
5. Working to create alternative social structures aligned with Jesus' teachings

This process is ongoing and requires constant vigilance and effort to maintain in the face of societal pressures and ingrained habits.

8. Faith without corresponding actions is meaningless

The Church confesses the doctrine of Jesus in theory, but denies it in practice.

Living faith: Tolstoy emphasizes that mere belief in Jesus or adherence to religious rituals is insufficient. True faith must be expressed through concrete actions that align with Jesus' teachings.

Examples of faith in action:

• Actively loving and serving others, including enemies
• Embracing voluntary poverty and simplicity
• Refusing to participate in violence or oppression
• Forgiving those who wrong you
• Sharing resources with those in need

This understanding challenges the notion of faith as primarily intellectual assent or emotional experience, insisting instead on its practical, transformative nature.

9. The Church has largely abandoned Jesus' practical teachings for metaphysics

The Church has explained it in such a way that it seems to be, not the doctrine of a happy life, but a bugbear, a source of terror.

Shift in focus: Tolstoy argues that over time, the institutional Church has moved away from Jesus' practical ethical teachings to focus on abstract theological concepts and rituals.

Consequences of this shift:

• Loss of moral guidance for daily life
• Emphasis on correct belief over right action
• Justification of practices contrary to Jesus' teachings
• Alienation of those seeking practical spiritual wisdom

This critique calls for a return to the original, action-oriented teachings of Jesus as the foundation of Christian life and practice.

10. Returning to Jesus' original doctrine can provide meaning and guidance for life

The doctrine of Jesus has a profound metaphysical meaning; it has a meaning as an expression of the aspirations of humanity; but it has also for each individual a very simple, very clear, and very practical meaning with regard to the conduct of his own life.

Practical wisdom: Tolstoy believes that Jesus' teachings, when stripped of later additions and interpretations, offer a clear and meaningful guide for how to live a fulfilling and ethical life.

Benefits of embracing Jesus' original teachings:

• Clear moral framework for decision-making
• Sense of purpose and connection to others
• Path to inner peace and contentment
• Guide for creating a more just and loving society
• Liberation from societal pressures and false values

This return to the source of Christianity offers a way to revitalize both personal spirituality and social ethics in the modern world.

Last updated: September 5, 2024