Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V — Page 53
S IGN S OF T HE T RU E FAIT H 53 every thing can only be countered by its opposite: Heat drives away cold, and the remedy for removing darkness is light. Then what kind of remedy is it [to propose] that X is cleansed from sin through Y’s being crucified? Such doctrines are nothing but man-made fallacies that find their way into people’s hearts in times of heedlessness and material worship. The same selfish and base motives that led to the prevalence of idol worship in the world are responsible for the prevalence of the doctrines of Crucifixion and Atonement among the Christians. The essential fact is that the human self is somewhat designed to give greater preference to the path in which there is no effort and struggle. True purity, however, requires much pain and striving, and that pure life cannot be attained until man drinks the cup of death. Therefore, just as it is the propensity of mankind to avoid difficult and narrow paths and to seek ways that are easy and simple, in this very manner these people, too, have chosen the way of the Cross that requires only verbal confession and places no hardship upon the soul. This is the rea- son why the love of God has grown cold [in their hearts] and they do not desire to develop a loathing for sin in order to bring about a pure transformation within themselves. In reality, belief in the Cross is the kind of doctrine which pleases those who do not wish to attain true purity and are constantly searching for a formula in which a filthy life may coexist with the forgiveness of sins. Consequently, in spite of [their indulgence in] excessive impurity, they imagine that they are cleansed from sin merely through believing in the blood of Christ. Such purity is actually like a boil that is full of pus, even though it appears shin- ing on the surface. Should there be discerning minds, the falsity of the prescription of the Cross can be made clear from the condition of the devotees of the Cross themselves—to what extent have they become absorbed in the love of God Almighty, abandoning the desires and passions of the world? Anyone who tours European countries will see for himself the extent to which the most ardent defenders of the [Christian] faith—not just the ignorant people but also the educated and refined among them—indulge in carnal pleasures, licentiousness,