“Civil Rights” Does Not Mean “Special Rights”

I had a choice to make in writing this post whether to write about remembering my friend’s birthday, or writing something related to Martin Luther King’s day.  Sorry Faith, and Happy Birthday (1/22)!

I am a middle class, white, Christian male; lingering in what is considered, in economic terms, the lower middle class.  I freely admit that I have not, as far as I know, been discriminated against on a personal level due to nationality, gender, or religious beliefs.  I am sure, however, that in various circumstances that others have used discrimination against me with regard to my knowledge in certain subjects, my physical abilities and attributes, my sense of humor or decorum, and my ability to properly use knowledge for certain intended purposes.  And other than the privileges given to all American citizens, I have not, as far as I know, been privileged on a personal level due to nationality, gender, or religious beliefs, except in the fact that I am a Christian pastor ministering in a church that holds particular religious beliefs.  I hope we all agree that churches are allowed to discriminate according to religious beliefs, just as a women’s basketball team ought to be allowed to discriminate according to whether or not one is a woman; or a lacrosse team is allowed to discriminate according to whether one can or cannot play lacrosse.

In remembering MLK, we remember, most commonly, his work toward civil rights.  His work, his stance, and his death for the cause of civil rights is worthily noted and remembered.  It is tremendously important that a civil society, governed by a civil government, allow and protect the rights and privileges of its citizens so that no one person, who is a citizen, is denied equal and free use of those rights and privileges.  However, it has seemed to me lately, that there are some people who are receiving or are attempting to receive special rights under the civil government in which we find ourselves.  This is not that for which MLK fought and died.  I am sure he fought for equal protection under the law, not special protection under the law.  No one deserves to be promoted from one grade to the next in school unless they have attained the necessary knowledge to succeed at the next grade level.  No one deserves to enter a college or university unless one has met the educational requirements a particular school.  No one deserves to be hired by an employer unless they meet the job requirements.  No one deserves to be on a lacrosse team unless they can play lacrosse.  No one deserves to be a member of a Christian church unlessthey profess Christ and meet the requirements of a particular church.  If someone is deserving of any of these privileges, of course, they ought to be allowed.  The danger in giving special rights to some people is it will lead to discrimination against, yet, other people; maybe even against a middle class, white, Christian male.  Being middle class, or being white, or being Christian, or being male are not reasons to deny civil rights, nor are they reasons to award special rights, but we all have equal rights, which are civil rights, under the law.  I am sure, that MLK was fighting for this.

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, wheher it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emporer.” (1 Peter 2:13-17)

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” (Proverbs 29:7)

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)