Civil Rights Sermon Is Mislaid but Not Forgotten - Essay Example

Civil Rights Sermon is Mislaid but not Forgotten of the Religion and Theology of the Concerned March 19, Civil Rights Sermon is Mislaid but not Forgotten The New York Times article Civil Rights Sermon is mislaid but Not Forgotten by Samuel G Freedman pertains to a sermon delivered by a Methodist minister Clay F Lee, way back in December 1964 that accrued the interest of Professor Davis W Houck affiliated to the Florida State University, who is compiling the lay oratory hailing from the Civil Rights era.

Sadly this sermon by Clay F Lee got misplaced. In 1964, Clay F Lee happened to be a minister at First Methodist Church in Philadelphia, at a time when three civil right activists were found murdered under suspicious circumstances in that area. Many of the accomplished white elites and clergy in those times were resorting to distorted interpretations of the sacred text to justify racism and prejudice. It was amidst these trying times that Bishop Clay F Lee delivered a sermon that boldly criticized and challenged the bigotry he witnessed.

Bishop Lee’s act of coming heavily on racial intolerance was indeed really courageous and bold, considering the times and place amidst which he delivered this sermon. There is no denying the fact that during times when intolerance and prejudice command social recognition and support, it is possible even for the most well intentioned people to get swayed in favor of the majority opinion. However, it is the duty of religious leadership in such times to not to give in to popular opinion and sentiments and to uphold the voice of sanity and love.

The primary duty of the religious teachers is to lead the people from darkness towards light, irrespective of the opposition and intimidation they are to contend with, as was rightly done by Bishop Clay F Lee. ReferencesFreedman, G.S. (2014, March 7). Civil Rights Sermon is mislaid but Not Forgotten. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/us/civil-rights-sermon-is-mislaid-but-not-forgotten.html?_r=1