Martin Luther King was a democratic socialist
“Economic justice would require a land where men will not take necessities to give luxuries to the few.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many conservatives today, in contrast to 60 years ago, are proud to call Martin…
Mahatma Gandhi’s profound influence on Martin Luther King
Christ furnished the spirit and motivation, while Gandhi furnished the method. —Martin Luther King, Jr. I firmly believe that the Gandhian philosophy of nonviolent resistance is the only logical and moral approach to the solution of the race problem in…
Let’s Keep Gandhi and King Foremost in Mind
by Nick Gier I don’t want to harm anyone. I just want to be heard. —young black protester Let me say, as I’ve always said, that riots are socially destructive and self-defeating. —Martin Luther King, “The Other America” (1967) When they…
Mahatma Gandhi: Charismatic Saint of Non-Violence
by Nick Gier, Professor Emeritus, University of Idaho It is too early to clothe me in sainthood. I myself do not feel to be a saint in any shape or form. –M. K. Gandhi Martin Luther King helps us to…
The Origins of Religious Violence: An Asian Perspective
Nicholas F. Gier (Lexington Books, 2014) The first nine chapters contain detailed analyses of Asian religious history in six countries where religiously motivated violence has been alleged or is apparently evident. Except for the violence caused by the fusion of…
The Founders were Woke: Why Aren’t You?
by Nick Gier The pure conservative is fighting against the progress of the universe. —Alfred North Whitehead The Buddha (the “Awakened One”) was woke. Jesus was woke. The Greek and Roman philosophers were woke. Medieval Islamic philosophers were woke.…
How Did We Lose Our Ancient Color Blindness?
By Nick Gier, Professor Emeritus, University of Idaho We tend to think that the two great scourges of humankind, sexism and racism, have been around since the beginning of time. With regard to sexism, this is true. Aristotle, for example,…
The Bible as Social Justice Theology
by Nick Gier Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.—Jesus, Mathew 25:40 Just as GOP attempts to restrict voting might also affect Republicans, its…
The Ugly Truth vs. the Big Lie: The Difference between BLM and Capitol Rioters
by Nick Gier Peaceful protestors should be protected and arsonists and anarchists should be prosecuted.—Joe Biden (7/30/20) People not affiliated with the protests are creating havoc on the streets.—Minneapolis activist Mike Griffin The Capitol is not a liquor store.—Rabbi Yosie…
1965–The Year Federal Troops Were Needed: A Tribute to John Lewis
by Nick Gier He never threw a brick. He never lit a match. —Rep. James Clyburn on John Lewis Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.—John…