A commenter on my previous post made reference to Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, written on April 6, 1963. I must admit that I had never read the letter in full – until this morning.
The letter is addressed to Dr King’s “fellow clergymen”.
It is probably one of the most moving pieces of prose I have read. It should be required reading in every school in this country.
In this letter Dr King defines the nature of his own belief. He also expresses his disgust at “moderates” who turn a blind eye to segregation and racial hatred. Indeed at one point the letter turns into a polemic on the church – but not on the most elemental aspect of his “inner spiritual church”.
Read the following words (from a much longer letter) and think of Northern Ireland and our churches when reading the piece - churches that accept and reflect the religious segregation that exists in our society.
“I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. I do not say this as one of those negative critics who can always find something wrong with the church. I say this as a minister of the gospel, who loves the church; who was nurtured in its bosom; who has been sustained by its spiritual blessings and who will remain true to it… Continue reading ‘Security of Stained Glass Windows’
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