What passage from the Bible did Atwater particularly identify with?
The correct answer and explanation is :
Atwater, who is often identified as the influential civil rights advocate and activist, particularly resonated with the biblical passage from Matthew 25:35-40. This passage reads:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
The passage continues with the righteous being told by Jesus, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Explanation:
For Atwater, this passage was significant because it emphasized a call to action grounded in compassion, equality, and social justice—core values that aligned with her advocacy. Atwater was passionate about working to improve the lives of marginalized people, particularly those suffering from systemic inequality. She often spoke out against racial injustice and inequality in the U.S., particularly focusing on the rights of Black Americans, the poor, and other disenfranchised groups.
The biblical teaching that helping others is akin to serving Christ deeply moved Atwater and gave her the moral foundation to continue her activism. It motivated her to work relentlessly for social change, especially in addressing issues like poverty, injustice, and the rights of prisoners. It inspired her to put others’ needs first, just as the passage encourages followers of Christ to do.
Atwater believed that her Christian faith provided her with the strength and ethical framework to challenge oppressive systems. By identifying with the passage in Matthew 25, she understood her life’s work as not only a fight for civil rights but also as a fulfillment of a divine calling to aid the most vulnerable in society. This passage encapsulated her belief in service to others as an expression of love and faith.