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Loving our neighbors
Q: Illegal immigrants are flouting U.S. laws, but does affluent America (or Arizona for that matter) have a larger moral or spiritual obligation to help illegal immigrants who are trying to better their lives? What about religious obligations to welcome the stranger? Are we our brother's keeper?
Our religious obligation is to welcome and show compassion for the "strangers" among us. That is very clear from the biblical texts. Leviticus actually says that the stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you (Leviticus 19:34). Jesus says that he will regard the way we treat the stranger as how we treat him. Immigrants are also our neighbors, and scripture tells us to "love our neighbors as ourselves," and to show hospitality to our neighbors in need.
What is too often lost in the debate about immigration is about the worsening plight of many of America's most vulnerable families -- about how families are being broken up by the U.S. government, forcibly separating children from their parents. And for the media, immigration reform is just another looming political conflict to report, more of the gamesmanship of Washington to cover.
The solution to the 12 million undocumented workers now in this country isn't troops on the border, demanding identity papers and threatening deportation, but working to change the conditions that lead people to come here without papers in the first place. Decades of neglect and irresponsibility by both parties -- liberals and conservatives -- have created this inhumane and complicated problem. We have had two invisible signs on our southern border: "No Trespassing" and "Help Wanted." Those conflicting messages have ensnared many vulnerable and sometimes desperate people. And now we need to fix that broken immigration system that is grinding up vulnerable families.
We need a way to bring people out of the shadows. Let's be tough on crime, but give those whose lives are now here, and who are law-abiding and are contributing to our society, a chance to start an earned path to citizenship. That would be welcoming the stranger and loving our neighbors.
By
Jim Wallis
|
May 26, 2010; 3:06 PM ET
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Posted by: dangeroustalk | June 1, 2010 1:42 AM
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Counterww:
Re: Your post
Tell that to Salvador Allende and the generations of Pinochet. Then talk to the Guatemalans. Since its topical, ask the Columbians about Chiquita International Brands (formerly, the United Fruit Company.) (That is a short list. Get back to me when you are done.)
It's always good to read the Christian point of view, Counter.
Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | May 29, 2010 12:34 AM
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What typical Farnaz bullcrap.
Most of the corruption in Latin America is of their own doing. They need to fix their problems and learn how to have a society that has rule of law, not bribes, and not payoffs to get to where they need to be.
THere are many issues with the world and other countries problems are not the fault of the United States every time.
Posted by: Counterww | May 28, 2010 7:58 PM
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Jim Wallace writes:
We have had two invisible signs on our southern border: "No Trespassing" and "Help Wanted."
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Oh, I think we have other invisible signs, don't you? One would be the sign that reads, "Hear us, South America. WE are the US. We will support the most corrupt among you, assassinate your elected leaders, impose upon you filthy dictators, assist in "covert operations" on your soil, the better to enable blood to flow in your streets."
Then there is the sign that reads: "Not to worry, South America. You can come in through the Mexican border should you be able to summon the funds, survive the coyotes and our border guards."
Sign Three: "ONce you arrive here, you will work for below minimum wage, often in inhuman conditions, and you will have no recourse to remedy."
Sigh Four: "Stay home and fix your own countries, you know, the ones we destroyed."
Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | May 28, 2010 7:36 PM
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As an atheist I hear a lot of Christians tell me about God’s absolute views on various issues. Oddly enough, God can seem to communicate his view on those issues very well. For example, on the issue of illegal immigration, there are some extremely vocal Christians on both sides of the debate.
While different Christians can quote various Bible verses to support whatever position they choose, this issue really goes to the heart of religion itself. To put it simply, religion is a form of tribalism. It is a way of solidifying the in-group and demonizing the out-group. In the case of Christianity, the out-group might be accepted if they completely change who they are and are converted into the in-group.
You can read the rest of my response to this topic:
http://bit.ly/d5Wbmq
I will be responding to every issue posted in the 'On Faith' section. If you would like to be notified when my new response is up, please subscribe.