Minister’s Horrific Suicide Was Intended To Inspire Social Justice
Click here for reuse options!From segregated churches of East Texas to destitute slums of India, the Rev. Charles Moore fought for human rights.
He delivered sermons about racism and sexism. He stood vigil against the death penalty. He went on a hunger strike to protest discrimination against gays and lesbians.
But during retirement, the United Methodist minister questioned whether he had done enough. He saw the broken world around him.
On a Monday afternoon in June, Moore, 79, drove from his home in Allen to Grand Saline, the town of his childhood about 70 miles east of Dallas. He traveled along country roads near fields of wildflowers and grazing cattle. In a strip-mall parking lot, outside a dollar store, beauty salon and pharmacy, he knelt down, doused himself with gasoline and lit himself on fire.
As flames engulfed him, he screamed and tried to stand. Witnesses rushed to put out the blaze with shirts, bottled water and, finally, an extinguisher.
He was flown unconscious to a Dallas hospital, where he died from burn injuries.
Moore had intended his act to be a grand but selfless gesture in the manner of Buddhist monks who have done the same before him.
“I would much prefer to go on living and enjoy my beloved wife and grandchildren and others, but I have come to believe that only my self-immolation will get the attention of anybody and perhaps inspire some to higher service,” he wrote in one of the notes he left behind.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Cheston Catalano
Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.
8 responses to Minister’s Horrific Suicide Was Intended To Inspire Social Justice
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Carla Akins July 17th, 2014 at 05:02
Wow, my condolences to Moore’s family. Here’s the deal folks, if someone you love is acting unusual or out of sorts – encourage them to speak to a specialist. Cognitive therapy (talk therapy) is hugely successful, affordable (or free), and saves lives.
Carla Akins July 17th, 2014 at 05:02
Wow, my condolences to Moore’s family. Here’s the deal folks, if someone you love is acting unusual or out of sorts – encourage them to speak to a specialist. Cognitive therapy (talk therapy) is hugely successful, affordable (or free), and saves lives.
Suzanne McFly July 17th, 2014 at 11:03
He made the world better by being here, leaving hurts his loved ones terribly.
Suzanne McFly July 17th, 2014 at 11:03
He made the world better by being here, leaving hurts his loved ones terribly.
Bianca Bradley July 17th, 2014 at 12:18
Closes eyes, may his sacrifice be noticed and appreciated and may no one else think they have to make the same sacrifice.
Bianca Bradley July 17th, 2014 at 12:18
Closes eyes, may his sacrifice be noticed and appreciated and may no one else think they have to make the same sacrifice.
redhawtmella July 21st, 2014 at 19:57
This guy was in serious need of help. I doubt that there weren’t signs beforehand of mental illness. :(
redhawtmella July 21st, 2014 at 19:57
This guy was in serious need of help. I doubt that there weren’t signs beforehand of mental illness. :(