Aren't Justice and Love Supposed to Be Our Things?
- Dr. King turns his attention to the white church, which he thinks hasn't done the movement any favors, either.
- He praises the eight clergymen for doing some good things, and mentions Rev. Stallings in particular.
- But even though he loves the church and always will, he's super disappointed.
- He thought the white church in the South would support the movement as soon as the bus boycott started in Montgomery. But no. Most kept away from the controversy, if not opposing the movement outright.
- Even then, he came to Birmingham thinking maybe it'd be different there.
- Nope.
- Dr. King bemoans the nonsense so many white clergymen are spouting. He wonders if they don't understand the Bible.
- He also wonders about the church sometimes, wondering what people are doing in all these churches if they're not interested in helping the Black community in their struggle. How can Christians stand by while all these bigots are running around, running for office, and holding office?
- He doesn't know the answer. He admits to crying about it. He loves the church and the deep love and wisdom it stands for. But that love and wisdom is seriously hard to find today.
- He says that Christians used to have moral and ethical power. They were the minority, persecuted but ever-faithful. Not anymore.
- Dr. King worries that if the church keeps this up, it'll fade into irrelevance.
- He concludes this section by praising those few religious people who have taken a stand to join the movement, saying that these are the true heroes of the church.