Warfare would be denounced by King
In the United States we celebrated the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Many of his famous words were quoted passionately at ceremonies throughout the country. His words that I have chosen to emphasize are those that were spoken at Riverside Church, NY on April 4, 1967 in an address labeled Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence. I urge everybody who endorses the philosophy of non-violence of Dr. King to read and absorb his message.
“I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed without haven first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of weapons in the world today, my own government.”
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”
In what direction has the government gone since that statement was made?
The United States supplies weapons to numerous countries around the world, many for profit, many paid for by taxpayers. How do be put a stop to the fueling of conflicts that cause death and destruction? To echo the words spoken in 1967
“Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we all must protest.”
Henry David Thoreau made a protest in 1846 by refusing to pay the poll tax. He refused to pay the tax because of its association with the institution pf slavery. Is non- payment of taxes a path of civil disobedience to consider when these taxes support the weapons industry at a dreadful cost life and property?
Pope Francis said on Jan. 14, that modern warfare is “a crime against humanity”, adding that “We can no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the altar of retaliation.”
I think that Rev. Dr. King would agree with him.
Dolores Libow