Mahatma Gandhi was, I am sure, an amazing man. When it came to religon though, he was somewhat confused. When asked if he was a Hindu he replied "Yes I am. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew.". At this point we are supposed to fall over ourselves oohing and aahing at how deep and mystical he is. I find that step decidedly difficult. A man cannot be a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew. A Jew for goodness sake! Does he have the family tree to prove it?

This year the people at the Catholic Youth Services (I don't want to know how much they cost us each year) have decided, presumably after careful study of the old and new testaments, to go with a quote from Ghandi as the theme for National Youth Sunday (formerly known as the feast of Christ the King).

Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Ghandi ­ the man internationally esteemed for his doctrine of non-violent protest ­ this year's National Youth Sunday 2007 (25 November) will be inviting young adults to 'Be the change you want to see in the world'.

Did you catch that? Be the change you want to see in the world

That's just stupid.

Be the change you want to see. Oh right, at last, now my life has meaning and purpose. Let's think this through for a moment. Apart from the obvious problem that the change I want in the world might differ from the change you want in the world and I might end up writing on a blog while others seethe in a presbytery, there is the second problem, it doesn't work.

Young people want to see many changes in the world. They want an end to terrorism, domestic violence, conflict, crime, global warming, drug abuse, bullying, poverty and racism.

Terrorism? Let me get this straight. Young people want an end to terrorism and the sage-like advice they get from the Catholic Youth Services is "Be the change you want to see in the world". If young people want an end to terrorism then simply not blowing stuff up is not going to do it.

Also, Why is abortion not on that list? Do young people not want to end abortion?

If this is Christianity then screw it...

The world is broken and we have to make it how we want by changing ourselves. That's the message? That's what you want me to give an hour of my life to every Sunday? What's the point?

The fact is that I can't change myself. I am a bad man. This is a fundamental basic teaching of Christianity. No matter how hard I (or you) try to heave ourselves up to perfection we will fail. We've all seen the way it goes, the idealism of youth turns in to the cynicism of old age as people realise they can't build heaven on earth. You can blame the government if you like, you can turn in to a miserable old git and say "if only they had listened". You will be wrong. If only they had listened the world would still be fallen and mankind would still be enslaved by sin. Pretty hopeless huh.

But that is the best the Catholic Youth Services have to offer, the hopelessness of changing myself to change the world. Abandon hope all ye who enter here. I think I'll keep my sunday mornings for myself thanks. I need to enjoy life while I can.

...Christianity is better than that!

Christianity says "yes James, you are screwed". I say "Oh dear" and Christianity says "By the grace of God you will be okay" and I say "Thank God for that!". That's the whole point of the gospel. God freely gives his forgiveness and changes us. If we will let Him, He makes the changes in us that He wants to see in the world.

You can give young people the hopelessness of changing themselves or you can give them the hope of forgiveness. I know which one I would rather have.