Tolstoy’s My Religion traces his journey from spiritual doubt to a renewed understanding of faith grounded in Jesus’ core teachings, especially the principle of non-resistance to evil.
He criticizes organized religion for obscuring the simplicity and moral clarity of the Gospel through rigid dogma and ceremonial excess. Central to his argument is the belief that Jesus’ call to reject violence and respond with love should form the foundation of all ethical behavior. Reflecting on his past nihilism, he explains how embracing these teachings reshaped his sense of responsibility, morality, and the purpose of human life. The opening chapters reveal his inner struggle with church contradictions and his search for truth, offering a vision of Christianity anchored in humility, compassion, and practical moral action.
