DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE BELOVED COMMUNITY

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE BELOVED COMMUNITY

Today is a very important American holiday, commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  We honor his leadership and tenacity in combating “the triple evils of American society: poverty, racism and militarism.”  Martin Luther King’s unique model of social change is rooted in the humanitarian philosophies of Mohandas (a.k.a. Mahatma) Gandhi.  Dr. King set forth six principles of nonviolence, which are summarized below for your consideration.

- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.  It is a positive force confronting the forces of injustice, and utilizes the righteous indignation and the spiritual, emotional and intellectual capabilities of people as a vital force for change and reconciliation.

- The Beloved Community is the framework for the future.  The nonviolent concept is an overall effort to achieve a reconciled world by raising the level of relationships among people to a height where justice prevails and persons attain their full human potential.

- Attack forces of evil, not persons doing evil.  The nonviolent approach helps one analyze the fundamental conditions, policies and practices of the conflict rather than reacting to one’s opponents or their personalities.

- Accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause – in order to achieve the goal.  Self-chosen suffering is redemptive and helps the movement grow in a spiritual as well as a humanitarian dimension.  The moral authority of voluntary suffering for a goal effectively communicates concerns to one’s friends and community, as well as to the opponent.

- Avoid internal violence of the spirit as well as external physical violence.  The nonviolent attitude permeates all aspects of the campaign.  It provides a mirror reflection of the reality of the condition to one’s opponent and the community at large.  Specific activities must be designed to help maintain a high level of spirit and morale during a nonviolent campaign.

- The universe is on the side of justice.  Truth is universal.  Human society and human beings are oriented to the just sense of order of the universe.  The fundamental values in all of the world’s religions include the concept that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice.  For the nonviolent practitioner, nonviolence introduces a new moral context in which nonviolence is both the means and the end.

While this esteemed clergyman is widely known for his pioneering efforts in the American civil rights movement, he also espoused a theological position (referenced above) that is of paramount importance.  According to The King Center for Social Change, “The Beloved Community” is a term first coined in the early days of the 20th Century by the philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, who founded the Fellowship of Reconciliation.  However, Dr. Martin Luther King, also a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, popularized the term, invested it with a much deeper meaning and captured the imagination of the world.

For Dr. King, The Beloved Community was no lofty utopian goal to be confused with the rapturous image of the Peaceable Kingdom, in which lions and lambs coexist in idyllic harmony.  Rather, it was for him a realistic, achievable goal that could be attained by a critical mass of people committed to and trained in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence.

Dr. King’s Beloved Community is a global vision, in which all people share in the wealth of the earth.  In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness are not tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it.  Racism and all forms of discrimination are replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.  In the Beloved Community, international disputes are resolved by peaceful conflict-resolution and reconciliation of adversaries, instead of military power.  Love and trust triumphs over fear and hatred.  Peace with justice prevails over war and military conflict.

Dr. King’s Beloved Community is not devoid of interpersonal, group or international conflict.  Instead he recognized that conflict is an inevitable part of human experience.  But he believed that conflicts could be resolved peacefully and adversaries could be reconciled through a mutual commitment to nonviolence.

The core value of King’s Beloved Community is agape love, which he described as “understanding, redeeming goodwill for all…overflowing love which is purely spontaneous, unmotivated, groundless and creative…the love of God operating in the human heart.”  One expression of agape love is justice for all people.  As Dr. King often said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  He felt that justice could not be parceled out to some persons or groups, but was the birthright of every human being.  [Source: The King Center]

As we pause to reflect, to commemorate and to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we pray that social justice will become an ongoing and pressing concern for all.  According to the writings of the Prophet Amos, we must collectively travail until we ultimately prevail, i.e. until “justice run[s] down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24, NKJV)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!