Happy birthday to Rev. Martin Luther King! - the Christian pastor who led the nation to change its laws for the liberation of black people, pressed the government to end the Vietnam war, and called for major public investments to achieve greater economic opportunity. He understood that America is about the state being separated from the church - restraining government from endorsing any particular faith. And he also understood that America is also about the church actively influencing the state. Without the intervention of faithful people like Rev. Martin Luther King, we might still have racist Jim Crow laws on the books.
Martin Luther King Day is a time to celebrate the lively legacy of religious efforts to change the laws and practices of governments. It's a time to remember that the movement to abolish slavery was led by Christian ministers in the 19th century. It's a time to remember that pressure from churches led to the enactment of the laws that abolished child labor.
His lasting inspiration has much to do with the ongoing social witness of churches and temples. I am pleased to witness a remarkable upsurge of activity today among faithful people of many traditions who are pressing for a new US foreign policy based on peaceful cooperation, for universally-accessible health care, and for taking global warming and other ecological threats seriously. (For a sense of how Rev. King's legacy is being carried on by churches now, have a look at the websites listed at the end of this "musing".)
Just because the church takes a stand, that does not mean that those within our congregations are expected to agree with it. There always has been plenty of room for people who don't support various activist efforts of denominations and local churches. Dissent is honored and valued in democratically organized, theologically liberal churches. Progressive Christianity is defined by its willingness to be influenced by divergent voices. Our nation can be influenced by theology without letting it become a theocracy.
Rev. King's dream is far from fulfilled. Some of the causes for which
he lived and died have come to fruition, while others face greater
challenges than ever. There is so much more work to do: let's celebrate
the role of religion in finishing the job that Martin Luther King set
before us!
For links to many progressive religious activist
groups:
https://www.tcpc.org/resources/links.html -- The Center for Progressive Christianity
Some important groups:
http://www.faithfulamerica.org -- Faithful America
http://www.pcu-la.org -- Progressive Christians Uniting
http://www.interfaithalliance.org -- Interfaith Alliance