Whoa brother, I don't know about all that, I just hope he walks his talk.  I don't know much about the man, that is to say I only know what I see in the media.  He as many others have said many things that can divide people rather than bring them together.  I hope if he is a civil rights activist, that he is more pragmatic in his approach in helping his fellow man...  All his fellow man regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, background, history, etc...  We live in the here and now and should try to influence the here and now, based upon what is happening here and now! Not attempt to hijack history to promote our own agendas or "correct" past misdeeds unless they are still occurring here and now!

As for his followers, I hope they will not be "brought along" so easily.  No I believe that everyone has a core belief system to which they base their reality.  This set of beliefs will grow and be ever changing over time based upon experiences, but eventually will "give way to" or "refine" a core/base set of beliefs. (Truths based on their experiences and environment)  Some people who subscribe to religious/faith-based beliefs tend to have many of those beliefs at their core usually brought about by INDIVIDUAL deep conversion. (The very reason why they are at the core)   Thus I feel that anyone being able to change religious beliefs so easily did not deeply believe in what they subscribed too in the first place.  I am a hot or cold type of guy, not luke warm!  

It is my hope that those "followers" are truly "believers" and if a change was to occur as you suggest I hope it comes from within and not from Al's Decisions! 

Ps. Mike, I do hope your right!