Martin Luther Kings Christian Ethics in Politics

Henry A.

History 390

February-12-2007

Title: Martin Luther Kings Christian Ethics In Politics

Thesis: Martin Luther King commitment to economic and social justice went beyond the reflection and dived in the arena of active life. His ethical religious background helped shape his though on civil disobedience for the betterment of minorities. Martins legacy of civil disobedience was rooted in his refusal to separate religious faith and moral considerations from politics, legal matters, and social reform. His actions transcended the boundaries of law, politics, and religion, and composed his academic teachings with those god.

Brief Analysis:

In his life, Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished many amazing things for minorities in the United States and all over the world. He helped spread concept of freedom and democracy throughout the world. Through all of the tough decisions he had to make, and all of the situations he had to overcome. Martin faith and or religion were the back bone that led him to never stray far from his morals and ethics.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born January 15, 1929 into a middle class family in Atlanta Georgia. He was the son of a minister and was very intelligent. He entered high school at age 13.

In the 11th grade, he entered an oratorical contest sponsored by the Negro Elks in a distant Georgia town. Martin Jr. spoke on "The Negro and the Constitution" and one a prize for his speech. On the way back to Atlanta, he and his teacher reviewed the exciting events of the day. Presently the bus stopped and some whites got on. There were no seats left so the bus driver ordered Martin and his teacher to get up and stand. King refused to budge. The driver threatened him and called him a "black son-of-a-bitch," until at last he heeded his teacher's whispers and he got out of his seat. For the rest of the trip home, he and his teacher were jostled around as the bus traveled down the highway. King later said, "It was the angriest I have ever been in my life.” Moreover his quest for equality would eventually lead him to attend Boston University’s School of Theology. It was here were Martin would acquire three great influences in his life. The first was his doctorate in theology which was his motivation for being (religion), meets his wife Corretta, and learns the ways of Gandhi

.

Martin read all that he could about Gandhi

and he was very impressed by Gandhi’s ways and his success. Gandhi

believed in peaceful protest and Dr. King also though that this would be effective. After receiving his PhD, many churches expressed interest in having Dr. King become their head minister.

Dr. King became the head minister of a church in Montgomery Alabama and achieved national fame for leading the famous bus boycott. Dr. King quickly became a respected national figure. People started to realize that the young Dr. King had something about him, something that made him very special.

After