Though many sources have stated that religious concurrence betters the social resources of an
individual, no hard evidence has been found to prove this. Ties to social engagement, however,
can be found through many religions. Many religious groups view charitable activity such
as the giving of alms, and helping those who suffer as something they are obligated to do in
order to satisfy their faith, and uphold the principles that go along with it. Some of the most
prominent social and political activists of our time were motivated by their faith, and their own
interpretations of the sacred doctrine of their Religion. Not so coincidental, many hospitals,
social service agencies, and clinics can trace the roots of their foundation back to religious
tradition.
Religion is not easily defined. Karl Marx once said “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed
creature. The heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the
opium of the people.” According to Marx, it is by the circulation of false beliefs that religion
allows the downtrodden and unfortunate to accept their lot. That statement cannot be proven true
or false. What history tells us is Religion can be a powerful force for change that challenges not
only social systems but political as well. Desmond Tutu, former Archbishop of the Anglican
Church of South Africa, was driven by his religious commitments to take a stand against
apartheid in his country. For theists such as Tutu, Religion is not a drug, but a guiding force for
social involvement and active resistance.
Swasti Bhattacharyya presents a trio of well-known, religiously motivated, social activists. These
men were positively influenced by their religions enough to take action in their aspirations for
social, cultural, and political change, and went on to make great strides in changing the face of
their society. Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Vinoba Bhave.
Dr. King, grew up in a stable two parent home, received an excellent education, and had strong
ties to his religious traditions, as his father Revered Martin Luther King was a well-known
minister. Though he grew up in a time of heavy segregation and very present racism, his Mother
instilled in him a sense of “somebodiness”, and to never let the system make him feel inferior.
At the age of 14 King had won an award for the deliverance of a speech entitled, “The Negro
and the Constitution”. Dr. King said “We cannot truly be Christian people so long as we flout
the central teachings of Jesus, loving one another.” Dr. King believed that Jesus’s show of love
was to be lived out in everyday relationships, and that the true pacifism is the “courageous
confrontation of evil by power of love.” After examining the writings and teachings of Mahatma
Ghandi, King developed ideas of how to interpret and apply the teachings on a social level.
Dr. King took a stand, he was a civil rights activists, and a beacon of faith in the AfricanAmerican community during a time in history when things were quite devastating for blacks. He
promoted peaceful protests, and had many times been arrested for acts of such, like sit-ins. His
message was love and this generated a loyal following of supporters. In many of his infamous
speeches Dr. King quotes the New Testament. He preached to his fellowship that violence was
not the answer, and would do no justice to the situation at hand. His faith enabled him to see that
there was a place for suffering in the world.
Malcolm X, formerly Malcolm Little was a sandy haired young man orphaned when his father
was murdered by local members of the Ku Klux Klan. His mother, consumed by grief and
depression was institutionalized soon after. Brother X bounced around a cluster of foster homes
until he reached adult hood and took to the streets. A life of drugs and crime led Malcolm X
to prison. For four years he studied principles of the Islamic faith and the teachings of Elijah
Muhammad which redefined the way he saw the world. When X was granted parole he became a
member of the Nation of Islam, and quickly rose to a position of prominence and respect within
the organization. Brother X went on to found the Organization for Afro American Unity, whose
mission is to eliminate political oppression, social degradation and economic exploitation.
A confidant and friend to the great Mahatma Ghandi, Vinoba Bhave is a man whose social
activism and involvement many people don’t know about. Bhave makes no religious claims, and
believes that it is right to love all people no matter their traditions or back-round. He is quoted
to have said that" his work is rooted in compassion and love”. Hindu is a word used to describe
a group of people that reside on the western border of India, who happens not to be Muslim,
Jewish, or Christian. Bhave believed that one should never act in a way or commit an act that
would cause regret or consequence. Poverty in India happened to be a huge problem; Bhave went
upon a campaign on his own. He walked tens of miles, across his country over the course of
years. Preaching for the rich to lend a hand to the poor and allow at least one unfortunate person
to live in their home and work the land. In 1959 A group of women who chose to follow Bhave
and his teachings formed Vidya Mandir, an ashram for women. These women live modestly and
their mission in life is to help the poor and preach the message of love to all. Bhave’s beliefs and
teachings have now inspired many to broadcast the message of social equality, love, respect and
compassion.
Before reading this article I had never thought about the connections between an individual’s
religious traditions and their social engagement. Though I now realize how big of a role faith
plays in a person’s motivation to change the status quo. Early childhood experiences and
interpretation of the principles that dominate said faith also play a major role. Dr. King had a
stable upbringing, two-parent home and strong religious ties. The message he preached was
one of love and non-violent protest. He took a stand in a way many are afraid or simply don’t
know how to. Brother Malcolm X’s childhood experience included no parents, no siblings,
and no religious stronghold. His life experiences of his father being murdered, mother being
locked away, and him being placed in an orphan An individual of keen intellect and charisma
he preached a message that was uplifting but the malicious undertone of racism was perpetuate.
Vinoba Bhave, a man of no religious affiliation studied from the days of his youth beside the
great Mahatma Ghandi, and the only thing he cared for was love compassion and social equality.
Religions ties to social engagement run deep. Much of who we are is defined in our religious
beliefs and therefore who we become and what we do are heavily dependent upon the principles
