Final answer:
Douglas Hudgins believed that as a Christian pastor, his duty did not include addressing social issues like segregation, instead opting for a spiritual focus disconnected from social justice. This perspective was supported by historical justifications for segregation found in interpretations of the Bible, such as the 'Curse of Ham.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The logic of Douglas Hudgins' thinking regarding his duty as a Christian (Baptist) pastor in relation to segregation can be understood against the backdrop of the prevailing racial attitudes and justifications of the time. The Bible was often cited as a source of authority for segregationist beliefs, with the 'Curse of Ham' being used as a justification for the subjugation of African Americans. This theological rationalization was one among several that provided a moral and religious underpinning for segregationist policies during the Jim Crow era.
During the civil rights movement, many in the white religious community upheld segregation, believing that Christianity had no concern with social issues, including segregation. This belief allowed for a disconnect between spiritual matters and earthly social injustices. Prominent religious figures like Hudgins would adhere to the idea that their responsibility as religious leaders did not extend to advocating against segregation or supporting civil rights causes directly, advocating for compliance with the law without necessarily agreeing with the moral underpinnings of the civil rights movement.
Hudgins and others may have seen their roles as pastoral and spiritual, rather than social or political, thus avoiding direct engagement with the civil rights struggles of African Americans.