August 18

Christianity is true because by giving an answer the most abstract questions it simultaneously resolves the most practical questions of life. It establishes the kingdom of God both in the spiritual world of every individual and in the life of society.

1

Ask the millions of people who call themselves Christians what Christianity is, and they will answer that to be a Christian means to adhere to a certain doctrine. And meanwhile those who profess this doctrine do not all agree among themselves. Some say that we should believe this, others that, and these disagreements result in accusations and hatred, even persecution, which reaches the point of bloodshed. If this was true Christianity, then how could Christ be the liberator and savior of nations, the one whom the human race was waiting for? But he himself presents his task very differently. He was sent to bring the good news to the poor in order to heal the hearts broken by suffering, torments and oppression; to tell the blind that they shall see, that they shall no longer be deprived of the light, which their lords refuse them so that, brutalized by ignorance, they could more patiently bear their ego; to free those crushed by fetters; to replace worldwide slavery with freedom. Such was Christ’s task, but is that what is being taught in his name? Has the one whom the people were waiting for fulfilled his task? Have the poor heard the good news? Have the broken hearts been healed? Do the blind see? Have the fetters been removed from the prisoners? Have the prisoners been freed? No, Christ is still waiting for his apostles at the cross. Let them come, let them come sooner, for there is much sorrow and the eyes are growing tired of looking east, waiting for the dawn of the summer of the Lord.

— Lamennais

2

Religion is not true because holy people preach it, holy people preach it because it is true.

— Lessing

3

The absence of religion is the cause of all of people’s miseries. It is impossible to live without religion. Only religion defines what is good and what is bad, and therefore it is only on the basis of religion that a human being can choose out of all the things he may wish to do. Only religion destroys egotism, only as a consequence of religions demands can a human being live not for himself. Only religion destroys the fear of death; only religion gives a human being the meaning of life; only religion establishes equality among people; only religion frees a human being of all external oppression.

It is impossible not to believe a spiritual teaching whose application realizes the simplest and most practical common good.

There is no greater test of the truth of a teaching.

And such is the Christian teaching.