Posted on 05/06/2008 9:09:10 AM PDT by raybbr
E-mail Father Jonathan
Yesterday, May Day, we witnessed some of the largest demonstrations of immigrants on American soil. The masses of mostly brown skinned activists and their followers were protesting what they consider unjust immigration policy and practice in the United States of America. Strewn conspicuously throughout the congregants, one couldn't help but notice church banners, crosses and other religious symbols. It would seem we are witnessing faith-based immigration reform activism. Does this mean God is on the side of the protesters?
Seeing these demonstrations on television, my thoughts darted back and forth between the immigration arguments of social conservatives, with their focus on the respect for law and national security (both of which are good objectives), and their liberal counterparts, with their focus on the protection of human rights (also a very good thing).
I believe the immigration reform logjam we now encounter is due in great part to the false premise that the good immigration objectives of the conservative movement are incompatible with the good objective, in this case, of liberal activists. When religious leaders or institutions give priority to the defense of human rights (as they should), this false premise becomes even more compelling. After all, have you ever seen a priest or a pastor protesting illegal border crossing? There is a reason for this, but it's not what most would think. Related
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I didn’t “misuse” anything, bub.
I just cut and pasted it. Take it as you will.
The Mexican government is using illegal invasion of the U.S. as a solution to its poverty and poor government and using illegal invaders as an income source.
The Bush Administration is using illegal invaders to support his globalist buddies and their domestic corporate cadres who are thirsting for the same kind of cheap exploitable labor here that their counterparts enjoy in Red China and other third world ratholes.
The Democrats view illegal invaders the same way they view inner city voters - an exploitable ignorant resource to generate votes and consequently more social programs and bureaucracy with which to reward their cronies with well-paying meaningless unproductive jobs.
The priest is saying that a lot of these "tools" are just human beings trying to improve their lives and we should recognize that, as well as recognize that we have an equal responsibility to enforce rational immigration and border laws - all of which Jorge, the Rats and the Mexican plutocrats ignore.
“What a load? So God will not take a stand is what he’s basically saying. “
Well, that’s an improvement from what some of the bishops were saying. This is a ‘walkback’. The bishops in 2006, in particular liberal bishops like in LA (Bishop Mahoney), made noises about the need for amnesty as an act of compassion to the illegal aliens.
It didnt work. It was wrong. It ignored the impact (negative) that illegal immigration has on low-wage workers, the impact on communities in social cost, etc. We cannot have out-of-control immigration, and amnesty would have made it worse. Lost in the argument was the case for an orderly immigration system that treats (legal) immigrants with respect. Lost in the argument was the fact that immigrants are hurt too by illegal immigration.
“Social conservatives and liberals alike would be wise to re-examine their approach to our present crisis of illegal immigration. God is on the side of human rights and also on the side of legality and security. It is our problem if we choose one over the other and pretend that we are righteous.”
This is a very helpful statement, in that in brings some Catholic church voices that want a balance in how they approach this. If the Church either steps out of the politics, or at least acknowledges the need for legality and security, then they will not and cannot be for unbalanced amnesty proposals.
Summary: This column is a liberal ‘white flag’ - “we give up on the amnesty, we need a balanced approach”
PS “And wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear from a Republican pundit that no love for law or security is ever a valid excuse for treating people like animals, or slaves?”
Let me be the first to say this - no love for law or security is a valid excuse for treating people like slaves.
ping
No, I don’t think Malachi was writing about border agents.
As I said at the beginning of my post, most scripture addresses individual attitude and behavior. Granted, most of the OT dealt with a theocracy, but NT writers and Jesus spoke to individuals.
I believe that when Malachi mentioned “sorcerers . . . adulterers . . . perjurers . . . those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans . . . those who turn away an alien,” he was speaking about personal responsibility for good behavior, not government policy.
Thus, because I do fear the Lord, I treat everyone with the love of a neighbor, apart from my sincere wish that government would deal with the legal side of border control and immigration.
Get it? Two issues — government’s responsibility and that of us to be Christlike and kind to everyone in our personal dealings.
Once we accept that premise the battle is lost.
You and I both know that scripture does not directly address the illegal immigration situation, “bub.” Some people deserve to be helped, and others do not, “bub.”
Of course I get it. Why would you expect to be flamed for that?
Absolutely, yes.
I'm pretty sure the Catholic godess, Mary, must be. Why else would all these liberal Catholic priests be wanting us to surrender our national sovreignty?
Why would I expect to be flamed for that?
Because there are a few knee-jerk nutcases on FR who look for a reason to flame rather than think. You’re obviously not one of them. :-)
“Some people deserve to be helped, and others do not . . .”
Really?
I feed hungy kids every week. Many of them are illegal. I don’t ask, but it’s obvious.
No, I’m not Catholic. I’m very not-Catholic, and this is not Catholic church-related, nor does it involve sanctuary. It’s just me and my friends, doing what is right.
I beg to differ with your opinion. Here’s another passage from scripture that you can accept or reject as you choose:
‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:35-40
Where did I say to deny kids food?
I am talking about the people who are entering this country to further their illegal expolits, be they drugs, organized crime, or the like. That is what is being imported into our country, and the Lord does not smile upon it. If we continue to tolerate it, we will continue to reap the horrible repercussions. We need to build the fence, and then help people in Mexico as needed. Obstruction to those efforts is not in any way godly, and does nothing to address the real problems.
Kudos for helping people, just don’t obstruct people who want to fix the underlying problems.
Oh, and don’t assume anything about what I do or don’t do to help the poor. I’m not advertising.
NO!! God tells us ALL to "be obedient to the laws of the land, and to submit to authority!" There is NO WAY He would ever ask ANY Americans/churches to break the law! Obedience to God is demanded and found many times throughout the Bible.
Look past the banners to see which churches support illegal immigration and you will find churches who have ulterior motives. Usually, it's about money!
Here's a few Scriptures where God admonishes us to be obedient to the laws/leaders of the land. He, of course, is the supreme law!
Ro 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Ro 13:2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Testimony of James R. Edwards, Jr., Ph.D.
Adjunct Fellow, Hudson Institute
House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration
May 22, 2007
http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/Edwards070522.pdf
Sure, on an individual basis one finds most of these people worthy of help but making exceptions for the “good” among the sheer inundation of invaders merely clouds the black and white question “Are you here legally?”.
If we don’t make them fearful and uncomfortable the forces of evil, greed and obfuscation will continue to succeed in reducing our United States to a Third World anarchy. Right now the downturn of our economy has reduced the influx and has seen more illegals than usual return to their homelands voluntarily on their own dime.
That blows up the “economic refugee” argument.
We HAVE to complete the fence. India did it and it works.
Can you point me to any sources on this? I am in desperate need of some good news.
bttt
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