Posted on 07/09/2010 7:20:27 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Over 220 pastors in state of Texas have drafted and signed a statement expressing their support behind what they believe to be the best balance between justice and compassion in regards to border security and immigration issues.
“In the course of our history as a nation, challenges and crisis moments have arisen that required principled leadership and the laying aside of partisan politics,” the pastors state in the preamble of their Declaration on Border Security and Immigration Reform. “Such is the need before us in our day regarding the escalating illegal immigration crisis and the security of our national borders.“
According to the pastors, it is “clear and evident” that the “crisis” regarding the state of the nation’s border security and immigration system “must be addressed rapidly, justly and humanely with equal regard to both rule of law and God-given value of every individual.”
“Holy Scriptures demand that justice and compassion be balanced with neither improperly dominant over the other in our hearts and our laws,” the pastors say.
Though the immigration issue had faded into the background for many after Congress failed to overhaul the immigration system in 2007, it was revived with the signing of Arizona's contentious new law, which instructs police to demand proof of a questionable person's legal status.
More than 20 states are discussing efforts similar to Arizona's. An Associated Press-GfK poll last month, meanwhile, found that 85 percent of people now rank immigration as an important issue.
"[T]he majority of people ... demand secure borders, credible enforcement of our current immigration laws by our federal government, reforming the broken immigration system, and humanely addressing those who have entered the country illegally," argue signers of the pastors' declaration.
That given, the ministers are calling upon elected state and national leaders to stop their political bickering, engage in genuine dialogue, cooperate with one another, and pledge to resolve the crisis by taking the three steps detailed in their declaration.
The pastors aim to see:
1) The national borders first secured, 2) The immigration system then reformed, and 3) A just process to legal status for specified illegal immigrants then implemented.
“We the undersigned pastors declare our commitment to using our voice and influence in every way possible to support these principles,” the pastors conclude in their declaration. “We will also publicly hold accountable those who choose to remain silent, who are divisive for purely political purposes, or who act in opposition to these principles.”
Signers of the declaration so far include over 220 pastors in Texas and around 50 pastors from other states in the nation. Some of the most notable names include megachurch pastors Robert Koke of Shoreline Christian Church in Austin, Steve Riggle of Grace Community Church in Houston, and Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston.
RE: Promoting anything but prison and deportation of an illegal alien is criminal!
The declaration states this in STEP 3 :
“Any person found to have committed crimes against property or person while here, or with a felony criminal record in his or her home country, should be denied legal status of any kind and deported.”
Do you disagree with that ?
RE: Keep it inside the church and keep their mouths shut outside of it!
Why ? Aren’t pastors American citizens too ? Is the first amendment only limited to non-clergy ? I don’t see that in the original intent of the framers at all.
RE: I wish that Christians would actually follow the words of Christ and not just think of how AMNESTY would enrich them.
I wish people would at least attempt to understand what people are trying to say instead of ascribing sinister motives to others which would require them to read other people’s minds.
And give AMNESTY to what remains!
It is dishonest to pretend otherwise. I am shocked at the attempt to lie about it (just like McCain does).
“Do you disagree with that ?”
Yes just by puting one foot into this country is just as illegal and should be put in prison and deported!
Just by saying deport someone that has committed a second crime only should be deported is speaking out of their backsides!
“Are issues like Abortion, Homosexuality and Gay Marriage considered politics ?”
It depends on the context. If used as a moral lesson no, if used as vote for or against someone yes.
“Why ? Aren’t pastors American citizens too ?”
Not if/when they are representing some church because they are given tax exempt status and have no business sticking their foot in politics.
If they want to quit the church and go get a job and bitch they have every right to do so but not as long as they are part of a church.
RE: Christianity Today is not a credible news source. You are welcome to try again.
Between you and Christianity Today, I’ll take them thank you.
Why don’t you cite your source to refute them ?
RE: Securing the border first does not make it okay to the grant Amnesty
You keep using that word without defining it. What exactly is Amnesty to you ?
RE:
Once again, why do you want to grant illegal immigrants who broke federal law legal status?
No I would not. That is why I questioned their use of the word — SPECIFIC. They did not define it clearly.
RE: Legal immigrants OBEY the law and you and other Christians are throwing them to the side. Disgusting.
This is where we disagree. STEP 2 of the Declaration SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF HELPING *LEGAL* IMMIGRANTS.
The dcoument might not be perfect, but to entirely trash it and call it scum ( your words not mine ) is UNCALLED FOR.
Yes, the Pastors’ income is taxable. The employees of corporations pay income taxes too but so do the corporations.
From what I’ve read the churches were exempted because of all the charitable work they did. Just how much charitable, not-for-profit work do the majority of churches do these days? My opinion is not enough to be completely tax exempt. Especially since they’re getting into the business of lobbying government for more “social justice”.
RE: Not if/when they are representing some church because they are given tax exempt status and have no business sticking their foot in politics.
Then don’t say they should keep their mouths shut outside the church when they preach on a moral issue in the church.
They in fact SHOULD KEEP THEIR MOUTHS OPEN AS CITIZENS.
I see nothing wrong with Pastor Smith peaking out against abortion in Church and then speaking out against abortion AS AN INDIVIDUAL IN HARMONY with what he taught in church, as Citizen Smith.
Politics cannot be entirely separated from Morality. The two are closely interlinked.
RE: Christianity Today is not a credible news source.
SEE HERE THEN (SURVEY OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA vs McCAIN ) :
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p2
Churches (and all pastors) should have the same free speech as any other entity in this country, whether or not the organizations pay any sort of taxes. There is no Constitutional justification for making free speech dependent upon the payment of any tax. The taxation excuse for muzzling others' free speech in this country is evil and disgusting!
I Agree with almost all of the declaration except this :
“While illegal immigrants have violated immigration laws to enter the country or overstayed their lawfully permitted time, there needs to be a process of providing those who qualify, are involved in lawful commerce and wish to remain here a means of doing so either as guest workers or eventually as citizens, with the proviso that they be required to display proficiency in the English language and critical facts about our American history, the basis of our constitutional republic and the duties of citizenship within a reasonable period of time to qualify for either status.”
I would amend that to say all who have overstayed their lawfully permitted time MUST BE REQUIRED TO RETURN HOME WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
After they have returned home, they are permitted to re-apply for immigration, provided they qualify.
as long as he/she/it is a pastor they have no right to speak out outside the church.
They can’t have it both ways, if they are part of a church shut up if they want to speak out disasssociate themselves form the church.
Just turn by that tree with all the leaves, right?
Churches are evil and discusting!
Pastors have jobs. Why should they “go get a job”? Again, why is the payment of taxes obligatory before anyone has free speech which is guaranteed to all in this country as part of our basic freedoms?
If you ever once attended my church you would never say that.
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