Inspirational Quotes by William Sloane Coffin (American Clergyman)

William Sloane Coffin Jr. (1924–2006) was a prominent American clergyman, social activist, and vocal critic of war and injustice. A charismatic preacher and progressive leader, he became a significant figure in the civil rights, anti-Vietnam War, and nuclear disarmament movements, blending moral conviction with sharp wit and eloquence.

Born in New York City, Coffin came from a privileged background. His father, an advertising executive, passed away when he was 10. He attended Deerfield Academy, Yale University, and later Union Theological Seminary. His time at Yale, where he studied under notable theologians such as Reinhold Niebuhr, laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to social justice. He also served as an officer in the United States Army during World War II and worked briefly with the CIA, experiences that profoundly shaped his worldview.

Coffin’s most notable achievements include his tenure as chaplain at Yale University 1958–75. There, he became a leading voice in the civil rights movement, famously organizing Freedom Rides and supporting voter registration in the South. During the Vietnam War, he gained national attention by advocating draft resistance, resulting in his arrest in 1968. In the 1980s, as pastor of Riverside Church in New York City, he championed nuclear disarmament and economic justice, cementing his role as a prophetic voice of his era.

His writings further amplified his influence. Coffin authored several works, including Letters to a Young Doubter (2004,) A Holy Impatience (2004,) and Credo (2004,) which encapsulate his views on faith, morality, and activism. His autobiography is Once to Every Man (1977.)

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