The Ku Klux Klan: Crimes and Christianity

During the Reconstruction of the South, the Ku Klux Klan tried to prevent recently released slaves from voting, and threatened white allies of the African Americans. They rode at night wearing white sheets over cardboard hats as masks and then draped white sheets over themselves and their horses. The Ku Klux Klan grew more violent as time went on. The members frightened, tortured, and lynched African Americans and their sympathizers, but t

The Ku Klux Klan has come up with several explications for the action it is known for, The Burning Cross. The Klan explains the burning of the cross as the “light of Jesus Christ, who died for the White Aryan Race” (kkk.com, 1). They say the cross is not destroyed, but “illuminated”. They stand surrounding the cross and call the heat of the flames, the “warmth” of Jesus Christ. They say that it is “the light of His Truth for our race, guiding us in an age of darkness and despair” (kkk.com, 1). The fiery cross is used by the Klan to represent the Christian Civilization. It is said “the Fiery Cross was used in Scottish history as a signal of opposition to tyranny and obedience to God. . . Who could look upon this sublime symbol, or sit in its sacred Holy Light without being inspired with a Holy desire and determination to be a better person? By this Holy Light of the Cross we will preserve”(kkk.com, 3).

he Ku Klux Klansmen were not responsible for all of the crimes committed in its name. It was one of many organizations at that time that were against African Americans. Any group could disguise themselves as the Ku Klux Klan and many did.

Areas all over the world are dealing with terrorism, including the United States. Each has its own equivalent to the Ku Klux Klan. The groups that are doing these acts though are getting harder and harder to track down because of the constantly changing membership and the less formal groups and group meetings. The Ku Klux Klan is no different. Rising racial tensions, due to the Rodney King Beating and O.J. Simpson trial, there could very possible be a rise in the membership and activity of the KKK. The group’s recent anti-abortion stance could be a way for the Klan to gain attention and make way for a new “era”. However, it seems even the most staunch anti-abortion activist wants to be known as a Klan collaborator, due to the stigma attached to it and the other issues that it involves.

Another member that stood out in the second era was Edward Young Clarke who was a major source of funds for the Ku Klux Klan and promoter of the 1915 reincarnation. He was involved in the scandal with Simmons. Elizabeth Tyler was also a major source of funds and promoter of the 1915 reincarnation, and was the third person in the sex scandal. In the third era of the Klansmen, which was during the 50’s and 60’s, the leaders start with Sam Bowers of Mississippi. He was the Imperial Wizard of the White Knights. In 1967, he was found guilty of conspiracy in the 1964 murder of three civil rights workers near Philadelphia. He ended up spending six years in prison beginning in 1970. Another is Robert Shelton from Alabama, who was the Imperial Wizard of the United Ku Klux Klansmen of America, one of the biggest KKK factions, and the leaders of the anti civil rights activists. And yet another of the third era was James R. Venable, whose family owned Stone Mountain and knew Col. Simmons. Venable was the leader of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. In the fourth era, the Major Ku Klux Klan leader was David Duke, who was the Grand Wizard of the Knights during the 1970’s. He was also the leader of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and the National Association for the Advancement of White People. He was elected to the Louisiana state legislature from Matairie, Louisiana. He later ran for governor of Louisiana, against Governor Edwin Edwards. His platform tapped into the working classes frustrations about welfare and affirmative action, violent crime and failing schools, lost jobs, and a stagnant economy (Riley, 29). Finally, we come to the fifth era of the KKK. This era started in the early 1980’s and was led by Pastor Robert E. Miles and Louis Beam. Pastor Miles was the Grand Dragon of the United Knights in Michigan and is currently associated with the Aryan Nations. He promoted the concept of “armed party” and of racist “ultras”

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