What is so special about Jesus dieing?

[struggle4progress]

11. "But let us not talk of that perfection of non-violence. It requires greater heroism

heroism than of brave soldiers ... Cowardice and brother-hood go ill together. The world does not accept today the idea of loving the enemy. Even in Christian Europe the principle of non-violence is ridiculed. While somebody writes to me from there : "Will you explain more clearly this your principle of non-violence ?' ... And there are others who affirm; 'Christianity has become a pretence at present. Christians do not understand the message of Jesus. It is necessary to deliver it over again in the way we can understand.' All ... are right from their own angles. But I must say that so long as we do not accept the principle of loving the enemy, all talk of world brotherhood is an airy nothing. Many men and women ask me, "Is it ever possible for the weak human flesh to rise above the inborn desire to avenge one's wrongs ?" I say, 'Yes. It is because we are not fully conscious of our manhood, that we cannot shed hatred and enmity'. Darwin says man is descended from the monkey. If that is true, we have not yet attained the stage of man ... "Do what you may. Without fear, without malice, and without return, I stand like a rock to receive all your blows." That is my ideal of a hero. Such heroes have become immortal. Christianity has produced such heroes and so have Hinduism and Islam. I don't subscribe to the view that Islam is the religion of the sword. History does not support it

... As mankind assimilates more and more the lesson of brotherhood, the spirit of non-violence among whole masses of men will spread wider. The history of Quakers and those others, the Dukhobors, whom Tolstoy has spoken of, shows how masses also can be filled with brotherly feeling ...

... And I have come here to ask you 'Why not go that way willingly and soon, rather than be forced into it ?' It may seem strange that I should say this to Christians. But I have pleaded for the same thing to Hindus also. Some Christians, however, tell me that Jesus' message of love was meant only for His 12 disciples. In India also, those who deprecate non-violence say that it will make India a country of cowards. To them I wish to say, 'India is doomed, if it does not accept non-violence.' All other nations also are ...

Speech by M.K. Gandhi to London Missionary Society of India in 1925