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The immigration debate: Does Jesus matter?
A pastor-friend emailed an article about the down-side of immigration.
Here’s an edited version of my response:
Dear _____ :
The most challenging thing for me about this debate is not what liberals or conservatives think, or whether immigration has been largely good or bad, or whether or not it’s in the economic interest of the American citizen. All those are important, I’m sure, but – since we are “citizens of another country” – I wonder if they are what matters most. I wonder if this question could be more important: What’s Jesus’ example?
For instance, Read the rest of this entry »
Immigration insights
Michael and Katerina at Evangelical Catholicism have a useful roundup of Catholic views on immigration, as well as some others (generously, including one of mine), for a May 1 observation. They write:
On this day, May 1st, which is Labor Day for most Latin American countries, many in this country will flock to the streets to demand a humane and comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. Let us condemn deportation and other actions that violate human dignity. Let us pray for a humanization of the people behind the numbers and the statistics, for people to understand the difference between the violation of a civil law and a criminal law, and for a consistent ethic of human life.
I find this very right-on, and reflective of the nature of Jesus: Caring for people is more important than minding the rules. The words at EC take the debate to a nobler level. I think you’ll be inspired by what you read there.
Related Posts: Christ in the Migrant , Reclaiming America from illegal immigrants [cartoon], We want you to feel like you belong [news], “Christian” values, Jesus’ preference for the poor [sermon], We Are Citizens of Another Nation [sermon]
Tags: migrants, immigrants, Mexicans, illegal+immigration, deportation, border, Monte Asbury
“But they broke the law”
You hear it everywhere in the American immigration debate these days. Sometimes it's whispered in reverential awe, as if this blasphemy awaits fire from heaven. Other times, it's said with resignation, or a wise nod: Everyone knows those who break the law must pay. It is simply so.
When I hear "They broke the law," I think "You mean you didn't?"
You didn't speed on the way to work? Smoke pot in college? Drink under-age in high school? Fudge your tax return? Neglect the seat-belt? Not once?
Or, at another level: Governments – who write those laws – are also in the business of breaking them. For instance, is spying legal? Is there anything the CIA does in foreign lands that is legal there?
Or how about the American-sponsored state, Israel? Far as I know, every nation in the world except the U.S. agrees that Israel's occupation of West Bank lands is in violation of international law. Yet Israel protects its border-busting with tanks, gunships, and encouragement provided by American politicians, some of whom think it time to get tough on poor Mexicans … because they broke the law.
The word hypocrisy comes to mind.
Contrast that with the dilemma of many Mexican parents. Shall they raise their children in poverty, or shall they "break the law?" Which is the moral course?
Whose sin – that of the law-breaker or that of the law-maker – more egregious? Whose motive more noble?
Technorati Tags: immigration, law, illegal, border, lawbreaker, Mexican, amnesty