Theology of the Movement Theology of the Movement
The Montgomery bus boycott was a cohesive and organized
strategic operation. It's main principles were based on the
principle's of non-violent resistance, making it the first
explicitly non-violent movement in United States history. Moral
and legal justification, along with the ideals of the Christian
doctrine of love was used as a basis for the movement. Martin
Luther King jr. formulated and taught a unique non-violent
philosophy that was drawn from the ideas of people such as:
Walter Rauschenbusch and Mahatmas Gandhi. Rauschenbusch, taught
Jesus in application to modern society and Mahatmas Gandhi,
believed in non-resistance methods known as "ahimsa".
Gandhi believed that the "practices of vindicating the truth
by inflicting suffering on himself rather than the opponent, and
by foreswearing violence in his work for ultimate reconciliation
with his opponents by returning good for evil and by openly
breaking unjust laws and willingly paying the penalty for the
same" (the black protest movement). King believed that God
provided the ideal-love, but Gandhi provided the technique.
Therefore King incorporated these ideas into a non-violent
philosophy that guided the boycott as well as the civil rights
movement as a whole. The characteristics of his philosophy are: 
1.) Non-violence is not used as a solution to fear. It is not because one is afraid of physical violence. King pointed out that it indeed was a courageous act, and could only be practiced by the strongest of men.
2.) Non-violence never wants to embarrass or destroy the opponent; rather it calls for a better understanding of the other. King states that things such as boycotts are only utilized to make the opponent aware of reality and to make him feel guilty and shamed of his actions.
3.) The attack utilized by non-violent movements is not aimed at certain "evil" people, but only evil ideas, practices and laws.
4.) One must be able to endure suffering without retaliation against the opponent. King sums up this aspect, using the words of Gandhi, "Rivers of blood may have to flow before we gain our freedom, but it must be our blood".
5.) To practice this theology one not only resists physical violence of the opposition, but an internal one as well. It is critical for a practitioner of a non-violent resistance to love his enemy. King states that by hating one's opponent, essentially they are contributing to the same evil that is exerted by their enemy. King promoted agape love to be used in non-violent resistance. Agape love is a Christian love that promotes good will to all humans--friends or foes.
6.) Non-violent resistance us based on the idea that the "universe is on the side of justice". One must have faith in the future in order to understand that their struggle is not in vein.
While these ideas encompassed many people's beliefs of non-violent resistance, King's idea has a foundation based in a Christian God. However, it was made clear by King that one did not have to be a Christian to believe in these practices. He truly believed that this philosophy was based on love and that love conquered all.
On the first night of the protest, King stated, "our methods will be that of persuasion, not coercion. Our actions must be guided by the deepest principles of our Christian faith. Love must be our regulating ideal. Once again we must hear the words of Jesus echoing across the centuries: 'love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you. If we fail to do this protest will end up, as a meaningless drama on the stage of history and its memory will be shrouded with the ugly garments of shame. You (must) protest courageously and yet with dignity and Christian love. (Pg 49)". King's comments foreshadowed the spirit of love and justice that was the driving force of the movement.
King's non-violent philosophy was not solely based on Ghandian
principle, but combined with the deep African-American history of
spirituality and slavery. He combined the principles of non-violence,
the practices of Gandhi, the idea of good and evil (they were
very important in the black church) and the spirit. Even though
King's movement was more spiritual than Gandhi's this non violent
ideal proved to be a driving force for one of the greatest
movements in African American history.
What was the Montgomery bus boycott
Montgomery, Alabama circa 1955
Read the law that called for segregation on the buses
White reaction and oppositional forces
Why was the boycott an important movement
photograph courtesy of http://www.indiagov.org/Gandhi/gallery