What could possibly connect the Indian freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi, and the British Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, popularly known as AJ? At first glance, nothing. But they meet at a point of deep reflection.
Anthony Joshua, who held the unified heavyweight championship twice between 2017 and 2021, recently paused to reflect on life and eternity. From that moment came a serious question, which he shared on his Snapchat story:
“Can you have a deep relationship with God and make it to heaven without religion?”
This is the kind of question usually asked during a Bible study session in church or directed to respected spiritual leaders. Instead, Joshua shared it openly with the world, inviting anyone to think about it. This choice alone says a lot. Be patient, the reason will become clearer as you read on.
It is not surprising that the boxer is now thinking deeply about God. During a recent Thanksgiving Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, spoke about Joshua’s survival in a serious car accident and described it as an act of divine mercy.
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He explained that Joshua had exchanged seats with someone shortly before the accident, and the people who later sat in that seat died.
Surviving such a situation can easily awaken a strong awareness of God. For Joshua, it created a desire to build a genuine relationship with his Creator. However, he seems discouraged by what he sees as religious standards that appear inconsistent or hypocritical. Religion, instead of helping people draw closer to God, has often become a barrier.
Although Joshua did not mention Christianity directly, it appears to be the focus, especially since he bears a Christian name and was raised in that tradition. Even if he later moved away from it, the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 that when a child is trained in the right way, he will not depart from it when he is older.
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Christianity was never meant to be just a religion. It was meant to be a relationship between God and man, made possible through the life of Jesus Christ in the believer. Those who turned the Christian faith into mere religion are largely responsible for the confusion Joshua now faces.
These are the same people Mahatma Gandhi criticised when he said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Through his question, Anthony Joshua appears to be saying something similar. In that sense, both men share the same concern.
Like Gandhi, Joshua seems to be telling Christians that he wants a deep relationship with Christ, but he finds the way Christ is often presented through religion unattractive.
His question asks whether it is possible to connect with God outside rigid systems of rules, traditions, and moral codes that judge people based on performance rather than faith. The answer will come shortly.
Joshua’s question does not show hatred toward Christians, but it does express a lack of confidence in Christianity as it is commonly practised. It is difficult to blame him when a faith that should focus on Christ is often shaped by the personal interests of self proclaimed men of God.
There is no doubt that some individuals have entered church leadership for selfish reasons. As founders and overseers, they promote teachings that clearly contradict the message of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. When their actions are compared with Christ’s teachings, the contradictions are obvious.
Another challenge is the inability of Christians to agree on basic matters of faith, despite Jesus praying that His followers would be united. Division, exclusion, and cliques are so common that what many practise today looks more like “Churchianity” than true Christianity.
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Beyond public scandals, another troubling sign, especially in Nigeria, is the rise of outspoken preachers who openly challenge senior church leaders over questionable teachings and practices. When criticised for being disrespectful, they point out that Jesus and John the Baptist strongly condemned false teachers, calling them hypocrites and a brood of vipers, as recorded in Matthew 3, 12, and 23.
This kind of confrontation may actually be part of how Christ continues to purify and strengthen His Church. For this reason, there is still hope.
When the prophet Elijah believed he was the only faithful servant left, God reminded him that He had preserved seven thousand people who had not bowed to false gods. This shows that God always keeps a faithful remnant to ensure that His work continues.
This article assumes that Anthony Joshua may be confusing religion with genuine Christian fellowship. In direct answer to his question, it is indeed possible to have a deep relationship with God and make it to heaven without religion.
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However, the Bible also encourages believers not to abandon gathering together, because community helps strengthen faith. Scripture describes the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth. Joshua can still find a church where he can grow spiritually, develop his gifts, and receive sound teaching, as described in 1 Timothy 4:13 to 14.
In doing so, he would come to fully understand the meaning of Jesus’ words in John 14:6, where He says that He is the only way to the Father. This understanding would set him apart from Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that there are many paths to God.
That belief is one more similarity between Gandhi and Joshua.
While wrapping up this piece, I stumbled upon a report that introduced Anthony Joshua as being raised a Christian, identifying as spiritual, respecting various faiths, including Islam, and has been seen praying in a mosque. The thing about those who believe there are many paths to God is that they usually end up confused without finding God (as I expounded in the article titled: ‘Burna Boy, like several others, needs help!’). That is because God is not in religion, but His Spirit inhabits the person who believes and confesses the resurrected Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour!
VIS Ugochukwu is a sage, storyteller, and media trainer. He responds to messages on X, formerly Twitter, at @sylvesugwuanyi
