This is an 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 YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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