I'm not sure how often (if ever?) there has been a topic here on the astounding racism in the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrines and Covenants, written copies of Brigham Young's sermons, and various other writings of individuals in the Mormon hierarchy.
I note that just about 10 years after the King assassination, the Mormon hierarchy pulled the plug on their institutional racism.
Granted, I find the hinky revelation (via a 'feeling', not a 'Thus saith the Lord' kind of cosmic correction fluid event) and the manner of it's implementation (executive fiat) odious in the extreme, and the actual motivation for the change being due more to the church desiring members in foreign countries and consequently, more money flowing into the Salt Lake City coffers and less to the shaming King cast their way. Still, he gave the Mormons a headache, and set the stage for eventual repudiation of their doctrinal racism.
Additionally, Bayard Rustin worked tirelessly with King, despite the times and the potential for damage to King's leadership, as Senator Strom Thurmond demonstrated. Bayard also was a good friend of Thurgood Marshall. After many decades, President Obama gave Bayard a posthumous medal of freedom.
There are far worse Christers out there than Martin Luther King. Black and white Christians in the homophobe orbit can learn from King. After they get that fixed, we can work on the atheism angle.
I note that just about 10 years after the King assassination, the Mormon hierarchy pulled the plug on their institutional racism.
Granted, I find the hinky revelation (via a 'feeling', not a 'Thus saith the Lord' kind of cosmic correction fluid event) and the manner of it's implementation (executive fiat) odious in the extreme, and the actual motivation for the change being due more to the church desiring members in foreign countries and consequently, more money flowing into the Salt Lake City coffers and less to the shaming King cast their way. Still, he gave the Mormons a headache, and set the stage for eventual repudiation of their doctrinal racism.
Additionally, Bayard Rustin worked tirelessly with King, despite the times and the potential for damage to King's leadership, as Senator Strom Thurmond demonstrated. Bayard also was a good friend of Thurgood Marshall. After many decades, President Obama gave Bayard a posthumous medal of freedom.
There are far worse Christers out there than Martin Luther King. Black and white Christians in the homophobe orbit can learn from King. After they get that fixed, we can work on the atheism angle.
