Answering the Call of Conscience. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clayton, Obie
• Is Part Of: Journal of law and religion. Volume 37:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: civil rights -- conscience -- morality -- equality -- justice; Religion and law -- Periodicals; 344.096
• DOI: 10.1017/jlr.2021.63
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-0814

Abstract

Abstract: This essay shows how three institutions—family, religion, and education—coalesced to shape the moral life of John Lewis. Lewis was born into a very religious, though uneducated, family who wished to see their son receive the education they were denied. The young Lewis took their zeal for education and religion into seminary and later college. It was in college that Lewis developed an intolerance for discrimination and came to champion the civil and human rights of all individuals. His call of conscience would not condone the suffering and abuse being generated by a segregated society. This passion for human rights led to his rising into prominence in the political arena, where many referred to him as the "conscience of the nation."