Could the Late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr have been a Saint?

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Marybeloved

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I’ve started this thread due to obvious confusion with the other one about Dr. King and sanctity- People thought I was asking if he was an officially recognized Saint- Of course he’s not, he belonged to a communion that does not do that.

Now, people called Mother Teresa a living Saint long before she died, and many believed that both she and Pope JPII were Saints long before their official beatifications, and called for their canonization on the basis of evidence of sanctity in them.

**Do you believe that Dr. King was possibly a Saint as per his life? **

(I hope that what I’m asking is clear this time)
 
I believe he is, at the least, a Christian martyr. All members of Rev. King’s movement had to sign a “Pledge of Non-Violence Commitment Card” which consists of the following:

*I hereby pledge myself—my person and body—to the nonviolent movement. Therefore I will keep the following Ten Commandments:
  1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
  2. Remember always that the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation — not victory.
  3. Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
  4. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
  5. Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
  6. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
  7. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
  8. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
  9. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
  10. Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.
I sign this pledge, having seriously considered what I do and with the determination and will to persevere.*

He was a Christian, first and foremost. It’s unfortunate that society seems to have ignored the fact that he was a man of faith and it was his faith that moved him to be who he was and what he did.
 
Marybeloved said:
Now, people called Mother Teresa a living Saint long before she died, and many believed that both she and Pope JPII were Saints long before their official beatifications …
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Canonisation is a process by which the Church declares that a man or woman is a saint. They were, of course, a saint during their lifetime. Canonisation is the Church’s posthumous confirmation that they are a saint.
 
Although MLK was a great political and social hero of the United States, in his personal life he was far from being a saint. According to some historical documents, notably FBI investigative papers, his private life left much to be desired from what one would expect from a clergyman of any religion and definately that of a saint.
These documents are not anti-black propaganda. They were FBI surveilance reports. In fact, they were never made public during MLK’S lifetime. They were only released long after the death of J. Edgar Hoover who had ordered surveilance of Dr. King for reasons best known to JEH.
 
The answer to the OP’s question is: absolutely.

He could be.

If the question were “is he a saint?”, the answer is we don’t know.

The only people we know for certain are Saints are those who have been canonized by Holy Mother Church. We know of no one specifically who is in hell (this is not to imply that there aren’t many, however).

(Speaking from a Catholic viewpoint.)
 
Marybeloved said:
I’ve started this thread due to obvious confusion with the other one about Dr. King and sanctity- People thought I was asking if he was an officially recognized Saint- Of course he’s not, he belonged to a communion that does not do that.

Now, people called Mother Teresa a living Saint long before she died, and many believed that both she and Pope JPII were Saints long before their official beatifications, and called for their canonization on the basis of evidence of sanctity in them.

**Do you believe that Dr. King was possibly a Saint as per his life? **

(I hope that what I’m asking is clear this time)
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Greetings Marybeloved,

Everyone in heaven are saints, though they may not be “officially recognized by the Catholic Church.” We are called to be saints. So if he is in heaven then yes he is a saint, though not an officially recognized saint by the Catholic Church.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit
 
lutherlic said:
The answer to the OP’s question is: absolutely.

He could be.

If the question were “is he a saint?”, the answer is we don’t know.

The only people we know for certain are Saints are those who have been canonized by Holy Mother Church. We know of no one specifically who is in hell (this is not to imply that there aren’t many, however).

(Speaking from a Catholic viewpoint.)
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Greetings Lutherlic,

Are you implying there may be saints in Hell? I have to disagree with that. Saints do not get sent to Hell.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit
 
Marybeloved said:
I’ve started this thread due to obvious confusion with the other one about Dr. King and sanctity- People thought I was asking if he was an officially recognized Saint- Of course he’s not, he belonged to a communion that does not do that.

Now, people called Mother Teresa a living Saint long before she died, and many believed that both she and Pope JPII were Saints long before their official beatifications, and called for their canonization on the basis of evidence of sanctity in them.

**Do you believe that Dr. King was possibly a Saint as per his life? **

(I hope that what I’m asking is clear this time)
Click to expand...
No. I do not believe that Dr. King was a saint during his lifetime; his personal life was far from saintly. America will always be grateful to him for his public and couragous stand againt racism and violence, but it takes much more than that to be a saint.
 
He wouldn’t be considered for canonization because he was not Catholic. From my understanding, canonized saints of course have to be Catholic.
 
Guys, I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut- But please stop posting about what canonization is and the fact that he has not been canonized- I made it clear that I’m not asking if he’s been officially recognized as a Saint (canonized) because obviously he has not- His Church does not do that so how can he possibly be canonized?🤷.

I’m asking if you personally believe that he displayed the life of a saint or clear signs of sanctity as seen against the lives of Catholic saints and Blesseds.
 
I dont think he should be, 1- he was not catholic, 2- there are so many historical “saints” in political nature but that does not mean he/they were Godly or saint like. I do not feel he was saint like at all and does has some questionable things in his past that is not “saint like.”
IE extra marital affairs.
 
CompSciGuy said:
He wouldn’t be considered for canonization because he was not Catholic. From my understanding, canonized saints of course have to be Catholic.
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Yes- canonized saints- but not saints in general- Do you think he displayed clear evidence of sanctity?
 
George_Stegmeir said:
Although MLK was a great political and social hero of the United States, in his personal life he was far from being a saint. According to some historical documents, notably FBI investigative papers, his private life left much to be desired from what one would expect from a clergyman of any religion and definately that of a saint.
These documents are not anti-black propaganda. They were FBI surveilance reports. In fact, they were never made public during MLK’S lifetime. They were only released long after the death of J. Edgar Hoover who had ordered surveilance of Dr. King for reasons best known to JEH.
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Catholic1954 said:
No. I do not believe that Dr. King was a saint during his lifetime; his personal life was far from saintly. America will always be grateful to him for his public and couragous stand againt racism and violence, but it takes much more than that to be a saint.
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Intriguing. I got this answer in the other thread. What exactly did he do privately that fell short of his saintly public image?
 
According to publically released FBI documents MLK was not faithful to his wife Coretta, and had several mistresses. This, of course has been glossed over by the media and his biograpphers, especially in these times of sexual permissiveness.
This, of course does not lessen his secular greatness, but it definately does not allow sainthood.
 
George_Stegmeir said:
According to publically released FBI documents MLK was not faithful to his wife Coretta, and had several mistresses. This, of course has been glossed over by the media and his biograpphers, especially in these times of sexual permissiveness.
This, of course does not lessen his secular greatness, but it definately does not allow sainthood.
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Agreed 👍.

I’m in a personal search for a bonafide candidate for consideration for the position of “Protestant Saint”. I guess I’ll have to keep looking then ;).
 
Anathama_Sit said:
Greetings Lutherlic,

Are you implying there may be saints in Hell? I have to disagree with that. Saints do not get sent to Hell.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit
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No! I only mentioned hell for completeness. Saints are not in hell by definition.
 
George_Stegmeir said:
Although MLK was a great political and social hero of the United States, in his personal life he was far from being a saint. According to some historical documents, notably FBI investigative papers, his private life left much to be desired from what one would expect from a clergyman of any religion and definately that of a saint.
These documents are not anti-black propaganda. They were FBI surveilance reports. In fact, they were never made public during MLK’S lifetime. They were only released long after the death of J. Edgar Hoover who had ordered surveilance of Dr. King for reasons best known to JEH.
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👍👍👍

I usally get shot down when discussing MLK, precisly what your saying here. Most people know only of his movement and leave it at that. So, no MLK should not be a saint.

God bless

jesus g
 
lutherlic said:
No! I only mentioned hell for completeness. Saints are not in hell by definition.
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Greetings Lutherlic,

I thought to check before replying any further. Glad to see we are on the same page.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit
 
I read one of his writings about Jesus not being a Divine Person. I don’t think God does not work through these people too since there is much work to be done for material needs, but a theology that elevates material needs or places spiritual salvation below ones worldly cares is not seeking the Kingdom of God. Social justice cannot be separated from Heavenly salvation nor must it be elevated above its correct place in glorifying God. If MLK were a priest with this theological view, he would not make it through the canonical process, unlike St. Dorthy Day who did.
 
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