What Role Did Religion Play In The Civil Rights Movement Of The 1960s

Martin Luther King and Malcom X, both prominent figures in the Civil Rights movement, had vastly different views on segregation and violence. The first time these two met was at the U.S. Capitol in 1964 to watch the Senate debate on a Civil Rights bill. Of the two, Martin Luther king had the better philosophy for America in the 1960’s because of his views on Integration, economics, and anti-violence.

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were both civil rights leaders during the 1960’s. They were both revolutionary in their ideas, but the each had very different approaches on crucial issues. So whose philosophy was more appropriate for the time period? After examining the philosophies of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X on the following issues: violence, integration, and protesting, it is clear that Malcolm X had the better philosophy for America in the 1960’s.

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and Malcolm X were the two particular most prevalent, most influential individuals of the Civil Rights Movement. Their tactics, ideologies, childhoods, and ideas of freedom differed in virtually every aspect. The ways in which these men sought transformation in society are where the majority of their differences existed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a huge proponent for peaceful demonstrations, silent marches, and nonviolent public sit-ins, where he and his supporters made open, unrestricted declarations for equality and integration. His entire philosophy on optimism and love originated from his Baptist roots and was a direct cause of his peaceful, nonviolent upbringing. In contrast, Malcolm X had a turbulent and traumatic childhood that led to a more forceful, direct form of demonstration that never pushed for peace and love and national social harmony. His religion and main area of support, the Nation of Islam, did not believe a simple sit-in or peaceful protest would create a change in society. Instead, he advocated for Black Nationalism, not for integration. Malcolm X encouraged the black community to become autonomous, to function separately from white society. A number of striking similarities existed between these men, however. Both men were intelligent from a young age, were raised in the same religion, had a staggering awareness of the national racial tensions in America, fought for justice for their people, pushed for social and

Although Martin Luther King and Malcolm X both provided exceptional leadership during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, both took different paths in fighting for African American rights. The two, separately, were the defining figures of the 1960's black freedom struggle. On one side, you had a comfortable middle-class family southern Baptist: King, who advocated nonviolence learned through the studying of Gandhi juxtaposed with X, advocating social awareness who learned by experiencing injustice in society while studying lessons on Islam and black power. Popular understanding has King on top of the list as the more influential leader during the Civil Rights Movement but is this really the case? Through the study of analyzing each

was also distinguished by his faith and the work he dedicated to the churches he attended. He used his religious beliefs as a substantial part of his Civil Rights campaign. He was encouraged to use this strong part of his life to help him “as a potential force for social change” (“Martin”). Instead of using violent practices, King could use his spiritual beliefs as another non-violent method towards his Civil Rights movement. Using a non-violent approach created a tension that forced a community to address the topic. Since his faith was a tremendous part of his life, King used his perpetual religious views as a vast component in his protests for Civil Rights which helped with conquering his ambition to eradicate segregation in the South.

Two main black activist leaders of the early 1950's were Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Today, both of these men would be remembered as 'great leaders'. However, these two men had totally different approaches towards meeting the same main goal. Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X fought for civil rights; however Malcolm X also wanted to have a separate black society whereas Martin Luther "wanted the integration of white people with black people. Malcolm X believed that violence was the key to his goat whereas Martin Luther King chose to take the non‑violent approach This is one reason why some black activists rejected, the approach of Martin Luther King to civil rights.

Following the Second World War and in the middle of the civil rights movement, the 1960s was a progressive, yet hard time for African Americans in America. During the era of civil rights, there was a plethora amount of protests both peaceful and violent that all had a common goal. The goal was equality and freedom from oppression for all African Americans. There were many leaders of this era, the most known is probably Martin Luther King Jr, however there was another leader quite opposite of Dr. King in terms of philosophy; his name was Malcom X. Originally born as Malcolm Little, he later changed his name to Malcolm X in 1952. Malcom X was often criticized for preaching violence, but in his eyes this was Black Nationalism.

Church and the Civil Rights Movement The burnings of the black churches affected the very heart of the African American community. The church was very important to the black communities. The church was a place of worship for African American people of "all denominations to unite together and worship God" (Gadzekpo, 1997). The church was also a place where African Americans could be nurtured by the spirit of God.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were leaders with many followers during the 1960’s Civil Rights movement. They were both ministers that had many people already following them and their number of followers only grew with their ideas and beliefs. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X had many great ideas on how America should be.While they both led their followers down the path to civil rights they both met their end by the hands of the people who did not want them to continue to make a difference the way they were for African Americans in America. Although Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X both made real changes regarding civil rights, they did not always agree on how to go about seeking out a

The Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power movement were two monumental movements advocating for the rights, liberties, and equalities of African Americans in the 1960’s. While both had similar interests and long term goals for African Americans, these movements, their leaders, actions and influences were vastly different than one another. The Civil Rights Movement which largely credits their accomplishments to the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr based and grounded itself on moral principles that were distinguished by the importance of non-violence (HistoryNet). The Black Power Movement aligned itself and defined its actions by leader, Malcom X. Malcom X, like Dr. King, pushed for the rights of African Americans and drew a wide following. However, he differed from Dr. King, in that he did not condemn violence, especially when he believed it was in self-defense, for him this was a justified action to fight against the oppression the African American faced by white supremacy (History.com). The stance on violence is the essential and most critical division of these two movements in their principles and actions. In addition, this dividing stance would result in differences in the way they were perceived by established society. Although, they would have differences with each other, in the end, this would not be enough to stop either from focusing on their long term goal of improving the rights, liberties, freedoms and equality of African Americans.

The struggle to obtain gay and civil rights has been directly influenced by religion, either in a positive or negative way. More specifically, religion has served as a disadvantage to achieving gay rights and an advantage to those that participated in the civil rights movement. Contrary to the recent successes of the gay rights movement, there have been a lot of obstacles along the way and most of them have been due to religious beliefs and practices. Religion opposes gay rights, especially gay marriage on the basis that it immoral and unnatural, it is against the word of God and it is incompatible with religious beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups(Eskridge,15). On the other hand, religion more directly influences the outcome of the civil rights movement by providing a basis for unity among African Americans. The concepts and strategies of the civil rights movement alluded to Biblical stories and admonitions. The church provided a physical shelter for African Americans to congregate and organize marches, sit-ins and protests, but also a spiritual overlook that guided them to the freedom that they always deserved.

The civil rights movement was made up to give African Americans freedom that white citizens loved and took for granted, like eating in specific restaurants, voting, and going to churches that they wanted to worship in. African Americans suffered from beatings and arrest as a part of their everyday lives. The church gave African Americans hope and was a religious safe haven. During the time of slavery ancestors of African Americans looked to God for freedom which is why the love of religion is so strong. African American Christians saw the church as a safe place where they could be during the civil rights movement that provided moral and spiritual support. Most of the black communities had at least one church that provided them with spiritual,

The Civil Rights Movement was an African American revolution, that started because African Americans were being judged by the color of their skin. Africans Americans felt as though they were second class citizens. They were segregated within the school system, businesses, assaulted daily by white citizens with fists or attack by police dogs, and denied equal rights. African Americans felt that things had to change and that they deserve all rights as an American. The religious beliefs that was foundation of the Civil Rights Movement differ. Martin Luther King, Jr’s. religion was Christianity, and felt that all Americans should be integrated and get along despite the brutality of some white supremacists. But Malcolm X’s religion was Muslim and more militant. His belief in Black Nationalism was that white America wanted to keep African Americans from empowering themselves by political, economic and social success and that violence could be use if needed. Black Nationalism also wanted to promote separatism from white America. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr. preached using nonviolence and integration; on the other hand, Malcom X advocated using violence and

Dr. King and Malcolm X strived to achieve equality for blacks under the law, more specifically, voting rights, desegregation, and more representation in government and politics. However, both men differed immensely in their tactics and strategies. For Dr. King, the negotiations could be brought about by the persistence of a nonviolent plan where, the oppressed people’s determination would overcome the will of the oppressor in the hearts and minds of the nation. He firmly believed in the principles of Mahatma Gandhi’s method of nonviolence resistance, which had been successful in driving the British out of India. For example, according to King, one of the resisters, or black mans goals is not to humiliate the opponent, (the white man) but to win his friendship and understanding. Dr. King proposed a passive resistance, based on “the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice” (“Pilgrimage to Non Violence” King, 112). He claimed the center of nonviolence is based on the principle of love, or understanding. Dr. King emphasized that the white man should not be held responsible for the minorities and blacks being oppressed. Here is where the two leaders oppose each other. Malcolm X felt social injustice and racism had endured too long, and it was

Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X were very huge leading figures during the Civil Rights movement. Though they had many differences, they had some similarities. Both men’s fathers were preachers and both men were religious preachers themselves. Dr. King and Malcolm X were around the same age and they were both assassinated. Coincidentally, both men had the same number of children and eventually they had the same ideologies for the Civil Rights Movement. However, Dr. King and Malcolm X were different in ways such as Malcolm X wanted black supremacy and Dr. King wanted equality, Malcolm X saw violence as an option to achieve his goals if peace did not work and Dr. King believed in complete nonviolence, and Malcolm X