I wonder sometimes if MLK would be such an influential figure if he wasn't a Christian. Did his occupation help elicit more supporters?
From what I hear from his "I Have a Dream" Speech, there is heavy symbolism from Christianity and while people can say those messages (some of them) are not exclusively Christian, I can't help but wonder where else would he have drawn his ideas from.
What do you think?
2007-06-20 05:40:37 · 10 answers · asked by leikevy 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
His choice of religion doesn't matter although the fact that he was a minister did make his words pack a bit more punch and, in his earlier years, provide him with an audience. His message is what matters and I wonder why one of these so-called big-shot Imams, Mullahs, et al won't stand up for Peace. MLK,Jr. was a very brave and enlightened individual cut down in his prime by someone filled with hate for a person simply because he was different.
2007-06-20 07:32:37 · answer #1 · answered by 34th B.G. - USAAF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been said that "Truth is truth"...No matter what language, what religion, or what politics are attached--The truth will always win out...eventually.
Ghandi once said that he was "a Muslim, a Christian, a Hindu, and a Jew"....and this was in a time & place when Muslims and Hindus were killing each other--and Christians were still trying to rule them.
His message was simple..."Let's all live together in peace."...and He was able to spur a revolution without violence.
Dr. King espoused the same philosophy...and, like Ghandi he was successful.....and assasinated for it.
The same message can be found in the teachings of Socrates, the Koran, Budhism, Hinduism, and the teachings of Jesus in the New Testiment..(Someone else who was killed for his beliefs)...Even in the poetry of John Lennon...(Hmmm...Are we sensing a pattern here?) It seems that asking for peace can be a dangerous thing!
Dr.Kings religion served as a catalyst for his message in a deeply Christian south...where he started his message as a preacher from his pulpate...But, as often happens with the truth, the message became bigger than the man.
The Buddah, Socrates, the Hindi philosophers....most had never heard of Jesus. Mohamed respected the teachings of Jesus and projected the same message for his followers, only to have his message drowned in the modern wave of fanaticism. John Lennon was an agnostic...not sure if God even existed...but his message held the same truths.
Racial problems still exist, but we've come a long way from the "White Only" drinking fountains of Dr. Kings day. Dr. King's message is still out there.
But from Socrates to Lennon.....for someone to stand up and cry out that there are injustices in the world...and that we need to treat our fellow man with love and respect....seems to be an invitation for someone to kill them!!
2007-06-20 07:38:47 · answer #2 · answered by MACHNGUN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His Christianity and his status as a minister were crucial to his influence in the US, among blacks and whites alike. Even now, someone with a similar message from a different background would get nowhere. If Gandhi appeared in the US today, he would be a minor figure.
If only a Gandhi or Martin Luther King would appear in the world of Islam.
2007-06-20 05:48:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He wouldn't have been called 'Martin Luther' if he wasn't brought up as a Christian, so that would have been different. No he wouldn't have been as influential, as most of the people he was addressing came from a Christian background, and very few of them would have given much weight to his views if they thought he was of a different religion to them. Similarly, it is mostly irreligious people who have taken a very shallow interest in the character and life of John Lennon who are prepared to idolise him, and mostly hindu nationalists who are prepared to give semi divine status to Mo Ghandi.
People make gods and prophets in their own image.
2007-06-23 07:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not Christian and I admire MLK ideals and ideas. I would have supported him despite his religous background but I cannot speak for anyone else. I believe it has to do with the golden rule and you don't need to be christian to follow those ideals.
2007-06-20 05:48:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
MLK was influenced by Gandhian Ahimsa(nonviolence) philosophy from Indian philosophy,but mlking stated that Jesus was his main inspiration. I don't think MLk would have come about without Jesus and the Beatitudes.
2007-06-20 12:52:05 · answer #6 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes because Gandhi was successful as the leader of non-violence as well (Gandhi was a Hindu who respected people of all faiths).
2007-06-20 06:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
he would. it doesnt matter religon. ghandi wasnt christian and he did somthing similar with the indians
2007-06-20 06:00:32 · answer #8 · answered by John K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think so. I hate jesus freaks but I love that guy and respect his vision.
2007-06-20 05:57:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes.
2007-06-20 05:48:16 · answer #10 · answered by Lee Hal 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋