![]() ![]() She blogs about her faith, her family, and her favorite things at. Mandela recognized the good in these faithful people and praised them for their efforts.īreanna is the author of one book, the mother of two daughters, and a frequent contributor to several faith-based magazines and blogs. People of faith, regardless of specific religious beliefs and practices, are generally concerned with the welfare of their fellow beings all over the world. “The Church was as concerned with this world as the next: I saw that virtually all of the achievements of Africans seemed to have come about through the missionary work of the Church.” (From his autobiography, “The Long Walk to Freedom,” on his experiences with Christianity early in life) He also looked to Christ as an example of unconditional love and as a proponent of equality.Ħ. Like many Africans, Mandela had faith in Jesus Christ that sustained him through difficult times. “The Good News borne by our risen Messiah who chose not one race, who chose not one country, who chose not one language, who chose not one tribe, who chose all of humankind!” (Address to the Zionist Christian Church’s Easter Conferences, 1994.) In this statement, Mandela recognized the positive influence of faithful people from all over the world and their effect on him personally.ĥ. The WCC’s support exemplified in the most concrete way the contribution that religion made to our liberation.” ( Address to the 8th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1998) The link was religious organisations, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and members of the Jewish faith. Our relatives could see us only once every six months. They tried to isolate us completely from the outside. “You have to have been in an apartheid prison in South Africa to appreciate the further importance of the church. Mandela’s message of equality, love and tolerance reflects the faithful belief that God is no respecter of persons.Ĥ. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, his background, or his religion. Mandela’s acute observation of the power of selflessness is reminiscent of the biblical ideal to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39).ģ. “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” (Spoken in Kliptown, Soweto, South Africa, 12 July 2008) The imagery of a triumphant “sinner who keeps on trying” with “hope that he will rise even in the end” is a decidedly Christian ideal with application to all people - especially those facing adversity.Ģ. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.” (From a letter to Winnie Mandela, written from the prison on Robben Island, 1 Feb. “Difficulties break some men but make others. (For more great quotes from Nelson Mandela and background on some of those listed below, visit )ġ. Here are six statements from Nelson Mandela that affirm the power of faith to overcome fear, prejudice and hate. However, his Christian beliefs were evident in the way he lived his life and in many of his statements on forgiveness, love, equality and optimism. In general, that included religious discourse. It is the belief that God will do what is right. Mandela, fiercely devoted to unity in his country and among his people, avoided divisive speech, at least later in his life. Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. “All it takes is faith and trust” – Peter PanĢ.Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first black president, an anti-Apartheid icon, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and though he wasn’t extremely public about his Christianity, a man of great faith. “but he's got the faith of a child” – It’s A Wonderful Lifeģ. Faith is the function of human life that dispels the dark clouds of doubt, anxiety and regret, opens ones heart and orients it toward good. Because they were holding on to something.” – The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersĤ. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. Those were the stories that stayed with you. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. “"Most people don't believe something can happen until it already has." – World War Z.ĥ. “What would you sacrifice for what you believe?” –Thor: The Dark WorldĦ. You haven't exactly given him an open invitation.” – Fireproofħ. “I'd say he's been at work all around you. ![]()
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