I know about the plagiarism charges, but then again, even Thomas Jefferson has plagiarized from John Locke’s Second Treatise when drafting the Declaration of Independence, so I’m still not so sure (I know if I were to go by the idea that even one instance of plagiarism makes one irredeemable, let alone multiple instances, our entire country was founded on a lie thanks to Jefferson and thus doesn’t deserve to exist at all that we should all keel over and die, and I’m pretty sure even you would find that way too extreme to embrace.). And besides, that still doesn’t address how he can be a communist and write, whether plagiarized or not, that kind of tract denouncing it. This isn’t like George Lucas where he tried to condemn so-called “American Imperialism” with Star Wars yet ironically enough ended up condemning his heroes in the USSR instead, since he specifically indicates Communism is bad and can never mix with Christianity. I know if I were MLK, and a communist especially, then plagiarist or not, I’d deliberately avoid making any statements that even imply I think Communism is bad and cannot mix well with Christianity.
And quite frankly, if they wanted to keep the legend intact, why on earth would they let this slip? If you’re going to bother claiming this bit, just release the tapes. Otherwise, keep your dang mouth shut. Those are the only two options.
Also, I’m definitely doubtful Levison wrote that paper on how Christianity and Communism can never mix. As you said, he was a Communist, and I’m doubtful a Communist, an open communist I should add, would write a paper outright condemning Communism in favor of Christianity. I know I wouldn’t if I had been a Communist. Vladimir Lenin, Jim Jones, and Pope Francis among others certainly didn’t. If anything, had Levison written that paper, he would have condemned Christianity, not Communism.
Do not respond to me again as your mind is incapable of staying on topic.
“...the Declaration of Independence ....”
This was NOT an academic document! I am not sure the idea of plagiarism even applies. Locke wrote his literary works with the idea that they might be used and applied. Seems to me Jefferson was doing exactly what Locke wanted to see happen. You could also “argue” in some sense that Locke stole from numerous other philosophers probably going back to Plato.