Today is a very important American
holiday, commemorating the life and legacy 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,
Dr. King also espoused the 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 entire 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 becoming committed to and trained in that
philosophy and in 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 the
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 celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
we pray that social justice will become an ongoing concern and ultimate reality
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!
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