Page:The young Moslem looks at life (1937).djvu/147

 5. The Christian conception of the atonement is entirely wrong, unbelievable and highly immoral. The Moslems understand Christians to believe that one may do any amount of evil one may choose without fear of consequences, for Jesus died to save man from all sin. Opposed to this is the Christian view, that while there is forgiveness for sins, yet Jesus Christ also imparts power to keep one from yielding to temptation.

6. Jesus is not the perfect example of humanity that Christians make him out to be. For instance, he was rude to his mother at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, and did not show her proper filial respect when she said to her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" He did not live a practical, well rounded life full of activity. He was not a man of affairs, nor the founder of a great nation, nor a lawgiver, nor a king, nor the leader of great armies. On the contrary, he was a meek and humble ascetic who renounced the world and its lusts, never married, and knew nothing of the problems of business or family life and the rearing of children. With such a limited range of human experience, how can Jesus be considered the ideal man?

7. Furthermore, the teaching of Jesus is highly impractical. How can one live up to his standards? Non-resistance to evil; turning the other cheek; going the second mile; praying for one's enemies; and maintaining purity not only in action but in the heart as well! How can such things be? After all, this is a life