Martin Luther King Jr's Letter From Birmingham Jail

mtholyoke.edu ^ | April 16, 1963 | Martin Luther King Jr.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators"' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide. and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often even vocal sanction of things as they are.

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century...

[CondoleezzaProtege]

...But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom.

[presently no screen name]

Wish he was still with us!

[wmfights]

He may have had flaws, but his cause was just.

[marron]

Thanks for posting.

[Tennessee Nana]

What a lose

I remember when he was murdered...

so senseless...

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Indeed even the greatest of men have their flaws. We are all fallen. Only Jesus was perfect...but there’s no denying God can use even the weakest, most foolish, and most imperfect among us to perform great tasks on His behalf. Just read the Bible to see some examples. :)

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Indeed even the greatest of men have their flaws. We are all fallen. Only Jesus was perfect...but there’s no denying God can use even the weakest, most foolish, and most imperfect among us to perform great tasks on His behalf. Just read the Bible to see some examples.

That being said, I don't think you can make a fair comparison between King and men such as Sharpton and Jackson. King's views and connections to leaders were a lot more complicated and well-thought out than "left wing commie." He disavowed Marxism because of its atheism and anyone who makes great statements such as "...not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." automatically disavows the blind collective conformity communism promotes.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

*PING*

[Liberty Valance]

"...from the strangely rational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills. Actually, time itself is neutral; it can be used either destructively or constructively. More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of good will. We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."

MLK's words seem even more relevant today. Thank you for posting this CP.

[caww]

That was a pleasure to read....and should be required reading in our educational systems for those who have forgotten that one man plus God equals an army.

This measured and painstaking writing had a greater power behind it than most any writer of our day. He had not just a cause but a mission, by appointment, from He who sends out honorable men for the good of all mankind.

I admire his carefulness.... that the words he wrote were thoughts and ideas of his own heart and soul... and that these would have meaning to all men....I believe God sprinkled his words with His own.. so that the message would be carried to the ears who would hear, and hearts would respond...........and they did.

Where are the men as this today?... Whose hearts and minds are knitted with Gods and would take this nation forward again as it once had, when no task was too small, work was honorable no matter what field of interest, pride in our nation and our fellow man caused us to hold our heads high.
Where are they?... Where are they indeed.

[secondamendmentkid]

Were you around when King was around? Apparently not.

He was a leftwing iddeologue. The press and liberals have suckered you in or you are from DNC.com.

[secondamendmentkid]

And before all the race baiters step in, I have a great deal of admiration for JC Watts, Clarence Thomas, Star Parker, and others. Those of you enamored with Martin Luther King have been sold a hog.

[Religion Moderator]

It was pulled because potty language - and references to potty language - are not allowed on the Religion Forum.

[wmfights]

Amen

[wmfights]

Were you around when King was around? Apparently not.

Yes

Equal treatment under the law is just. What followed after in the name of this goal was not. He was at the front of this fighting for equality not equality of outcomes.

[caww]

Thank you ....Exactly! :)