Prospectus
king & christianity
wanted it to be well known that he was a Baptist preacher
belonged to strong baptist family
Baptist heritage
wanted nothing to do with ministery in his younger years
Subtopic
inspiration
inspired by Benjamin Mays: college president of Morehouse at time
Howard Thurman: author of the social gospel volume "Jesus and the Disinherited"
Tolstoy & christianity
quest for the "ultimate truth"
did not believe church's interpretation of the bible
criticized church for engaging in warfare, class bias in policing citizens, made aristocrats rich at expense of serfs
mission was to reform the world in the light of Christian love
advocated non-violence and pacifism
confronted issues of the day & was successful in becoming a model
used intellect and faith to battle the forces of wealth and power
took limited steps to increase standard of living of those around him
Tolstoy & inspiration
non-violence ideas caught Gandhi's attention
Gandhi established a commune in South Africa b/c of Tolstoy (Tolstoy Farm)