Chapter 9 Summary

In the past, social activism was usually derived from the work of inspired believers. These believers had ideas and actions that were motivated and executed by their faith. All throughout Chapter Nine, Dr. Bhattacharyya, analyzes three examples of religiously motivated social activists. These three activists consist of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Vinoba Bhave; and Malcolm X. As discussed in the reading Bhattacharya makes a reference to the power of religion as a motivator for making an abundance of positive changes throughout the word globally. Bhattacharya invites the readers to reflect on how religion influences social, cultural and political actions
According to Freud, Marx and others philosophers, they believed that religion is “the opium
His poor decisions led him to be convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. As he spent time in prison he gained some wisdom, through the guidance of Elijah Muhammad. He began to follow the practices and beliefs of the Nation of Islam. He had self reflections on his past life and the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. The teachings began to make sense to him. He compared the teachings to eras of his life like during the time period where a Caucasian person had been a “devil”; it was this devil that ruined his home, killed his father any maybe even led to him being in prison. After being freed from prison he devoted his life to Muhammad. X believed Muhammed saved his life. He traveled the country giving public preachings, and opening NOI temples. He seeked for people of color to come out from under the burden of oppression and build on their own, and to separate them from white Christian oppressors. Many people assume the wrong thought when thinking of Malcolm X. They assume he was an ignorant, radical terrorist of violence towards caucasians. In some of Malcolm’s speeches he told African Americans to not accept discrimination using all means necessary, including violence. He ended his meetings saying: “Do nothing unto anyone that you would not like to have done unto yourself. Seek peace and never be the aggressor- but if anyone attacks you, we do not teach you to turn the other cheek”. X wasn’t like how King
He considered himself not being a member of any institution or having nothing to do with political parties. His followers were drawn to him because he was authentic and compassionate. Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence influenced him. He learned from him that the basis of nonviolence was fearlessness. Nonviolence is having compassion for others and living truthfully in Vinoba’s perspective. Vinoba’s ability to embrace multiple traditions, his commitment with nonviolence and his work rooted in compassion all fall within Hindu religious