MLK & Chavez - AHB

While reading through some of the a few of the subsections (concept, people) in the Intro to Christianity book I came across short articles on MLK Jr. and Caesar Chavez. For various reasons these are two men that have always been interesting to me, although I know far less about Chavez.

The Bible has a great deal to say on how one should live, and it is always interesting to see the practical ways by which individuals walk out those commands. Both Chavez and MLK are incredible individuals who accomplished a great deal on behalf of their people. Chavez is kind of legendary in Los Angeles, and everyone knows the reputation of MLK. They were both deeply driven by their religious beliefs, and used these beliefs to form a large diverse body of support.

Nonviolent activism seems to be the best, and most universally agreed upon, way for religious groups to advocate their political beliefs; however, this still requires disobedience from established authority, which is a tricky subject. The question is, how far can one go to change society? The Biblical stories surrounding the early church don't talk about abortion protests or bus-boycotts; rather, those individuals changed their society by virtue of nothing more than their presence. Is a dynamic church one that is politically active and vocal, or one that goes about its religious business? I realize this is kind of a continuation of my blog from last night, but there are so many ways to consider this issue.

Either way there is a lot to be said for any man or woman that can shoulder the burdens, hopes, and expectations of an entire community. Also, at least in MLK's place, the depth of forgiveness that a person has to walk through is pretty amazing. Reading his "Letters from a Birmingham Jail" I'm always struck by the complete lack of bitterness towards people that have been enslaving and murdering blacks for generations. I definitely get the sense that his spiritual upbringing is the only thing that could have given him the strength to do what he did in the manner that he did; it is especially amazing when compared with the militarism of Malcolm X.