Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists.
This quote directly speaks to the church's refusal to stand behind the protestors, and its refusal to address the hartred and violence perpetuated against the people. The church's complacency.
But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom.
In the quote above, King is thanking those church leaders who've walked with him in the struggle for Civil Rights.