MLK Commitment Card

[Stan]

Commitment Card

Martin Luther King, Jr.

1963

I hereby pledge myself—my person and body—to the nonviolent movement. Therefore I will keep the following ten commandments:

1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.

2. Remember always that the non—violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation — not victory.

3. Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.

4. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.

5. Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.

6. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.

7. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.

8. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.

9. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.

10.Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.

I sign this pledge, having seriously considered what I do and with the determination and will to persevere.

Name____________________

Address__________________

Phone___________________

Nearest Relative___________

Address__________________

Besides demonstrations, I could also help the movement by: (Circle the proper items)

Run errands, Drive my car, Fix food for volunteers, Clerical work, Make phone calls, Answer phones, Mimeograph, Type, Print Signs, Distribute leaflets.

ALABAMA CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Birmingham Affiliate of S.C.L.C.

505 ½ North 17th Street

F.L. Shuttlesworth, President

[Taylor]

MLK was a good man in my opinion. If you want to read something that shows his true character go to http://almaz.com/nobel/peace/MLK-jail.html and read this letter he wrote while in jail. It is quite impressive.

[lazarus]

I not sure about the non-violent part but everything else is good.

[olger]

"Proclamation of Amnesty and Pardon Granted to

All Persons of European Descent

Whereas, Europeans kept my forebears in bondage some three centuries toiling without pay,

Whereas, Europeans ignored the human rights pledges of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution,

Whereas, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments meant little more than empty words,

Therefore, Americans of European ancestry are guilty of great crimes against my ancestors and their progeny.

But, in the recognition Europeans themselves have been victims of various and sundry human rights violations to wit: the Norman Conquest, the Irish Potato Famine, Decline of the Hapsburg Dynasty, Napoleonic and Czarist adventurism, and gratuitous insults and speculations about the intelligence of Europeans of Polish descent,

I, Walter E. Williams, do declare full and general amnesty and pardon to all persons of European ancestry, for both their own grievances, and those of their forebears, against my people.

Therefore, from this day forward Americans of European ancestry can stand straight and proud knowing they are without guilt and thus obliged not to act like darn fools in their relationships with Americans of African ancestry.

Walter E. Williams, Gracious and Generous Grantor"

I like this guy,

olger

[lazarus]

I'm not sure how that is relevat to my comments

[lazarus]

sorry, that sounded cold! How does the quote from this gentlemen relate to what I posted.

To advance the cause of human rights sometime we need to use violence!

[Taylor]

Lazarus, if everyone would be as aware of "sounding cold" as you have just demonstrated....this website, our churches, our schools would be much friendlier places. Thanks for that! You are to be commended!

[olger]

Laz said: "To advance the cause of human rights sometime we need to use violence!"

God said unto Noah: "The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth" (Genesis 6:13).

all the best,

olger

[lazarus]

Aw come on olga.....! I think the flood was a pretty violent event.

The Bible is full if violence. Some of it sanctioned by God. Violence can be justified in some circumstances.

[Gail]

Ooo... I smell a topic that's gonna roll!

:)

[lazarus]

lol

[Gerr]

I not sure about the non-violent part but everything else is good.

You might want to read 1 Pet 2.

Violence only begets more violence. The Middle East mess has demonstrated that beyond the shadow of a doubt. The natural heart wants to strike back at injustices, but the greatest force for change in God's universe is still love.

Gerry

[olger]

It doesn't take any wisdom to fight. Anyone can do it.

olger

[lazarus]

So.......... I guess some of us here are saying that it was wrong to go into Iraq because of the reasons stated above. It was wrong to wage WW1 WW2 etc. There should have been no intervention in Rawanda. There should have been no intervention in the former Yugoslavia.....and I could give you some more.

[Bravus]

The non-violent movement was for social and legal change within countries, e.g. Ghandi in India and MLK in the US. I don't think it was intended for situations such as WW II, though I can't speak for those involved.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that an absolute pacifist position can be argued for, but I'm not sure that the MLK card would commit one to absolute pacifism.

[lazarus]

Bravus, What kind of justifications do you think MLK/Ghandi would make for the use of violence of WW2? Not a rhetorical question, tryin' to see what you think.

If there's a justification for war against the Nazi's or Saddam Hussein there must be justification for violence against a dude down the street who wants to bomb your house.

If someone was coming to burn my house down I would take out my rifle too! That is simply protecting your family. I think my family and friends would appreciate my violence at that time.

[lazarus]

So no one was really willing to bite on this........but

I have come to the view that violence is ligimate in certain circumstances when seeking to protect your "people" family or country. My assumption is that those who believe were are right to be in Iraq/Afghanistan would be intellectually honest and agree.