“I have a great respect for Christianity. I often read the Sermon on the Mount and have gained much from it. I know of no one who has done more for humanity than Jesus. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Christianity, but the trouble is with you Christians. You do not begin to live up to your own teachings.”
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Attribution note
The famous 'trouble is with you Christians' line rests solely on a single second-hand recollection by James E. McEldowney, decades later, with no primary source; its authenticity is frequently questioned, so it is commonly attributed rather than verified.
Likely origin: Attributed to Gandhi by missionary James E. McEldowney as a recollected conversation ('My Visit With Mahatma Gandhi'); authenticity questioned, no primary/published source.
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The sting here lands not on a faith's ideals but on how far its followers fall from them. A creed can be sound while the people carrying its name barely attempt it — so the fair test of any set of beliefs is whether those who profess it actually live it out.
When to use it
- A company's values poster means nothing while managers reward exactly the behavior it condemns.
- A parent who preaches honesty but pads the tax return teaches the lesson their actions carry, not their words.
- A club that calls itself welcoming is judged by whether newcomers actually feel welcome at the door.