Posted on 02/19/2016 6:27:15 AM PST by SeekAndFind
In response to Donald Trump's call for constructing a wall at our southern border so as to stem the illegal migrations into our country, Pope Francis indicated that Mr. Trump was "not a Christian," since, as the Pope says, "Christians build bridges, not walls."
As a rabbi, it is not for me to decide what is Christian, however I can speak to what the Bible says about such matters.
Throughout the Bible, certainly the Old Testament, God impels us to do those things necessary for self-defense, those things required to ensure safety from disease, and to protect a nation's borders so as not to suffer economic and health risks, or violence. In Deutoronomy (22:26) we are told that if one sees a young lady being attacked, the good citizen should defend her in all ways necessary so as to protect her chastity, her dignity, and her well being. Since we can do that in behalf of others we can do that in behalf of ourselves. Self defense is mentioned also in Exodus 22:1
Self-defense is not something merely permissible, but obligatory, a sacred duty. The purpose of building a wall is not to be mean spirited but to protect innocent American citizens from assaults that are happening, from diseases that are entering the country, and from the reported jihadists coming over the border in stealth with the intent of killing us.
Prior to multi-culturalism becoming the single, most important virtue, as designated today by society's ruling class, there was one virtue that stood above all else, namely, the duty of fathers and mothers to protect their children, brothers to protect their sisters, and a country's leaders to protect the citizens who rely on their leaders for such protection.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
‘Il Papa’ embraces Raul Castro but calls Donald Trump anti-Christian!
A good first step for the Pope would be to tear down the walls surrounding Vatican City and greatly liberalize their immigration laws.
He gives obama a crucifix after obama is on record voting 3 times against providing medical care to children born alive after abortions
Excellent summary by the Rabbi!
Throughout the Bible, certainly the Old Testament, God impels us to do those things necessary for self-defense, those things required to ensure safety from disease, and to protect a nation’s borders so as not to suffer economic and health risks, or violence. In Deutoronomy (22:26) we are told that if one sees a young lady being attacked, the good citizen should defend her in all ways necessary so as to protect her chastity, her dignity, and her well being. Since we can do that in behalf of others we can do that in behalf of ourselves. Self defense is mentioned also in Exodus 22:1
Self-defense is not something merely permissible, but obligatory, a sacred duty. The purpose of building a wall is not to be mean spirited but to protect innocent American citizens from assaults that are happening, from diseases that are entering the country, and from the reported jihadists coming over the border in stealth with the intent of killing us.
Prior to multi-culturalism becoming the single, most important virtue, as designated today by society’s ruling class, there was one virtue that stood above all else, namely, the duty of fathers and mothers to protect their children, brothers to protect their sisters, and a country’s leaders to protect the citizens who rely on their leaders for such protection.
El Pope, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!
The Vatican wall was first built in 852 A.D. to fend off Muslim attackers. It is guarded today with the elite Swiss Guards with all types of guns shown below:
Pope on His Vatican Walls pointing to Germany for his unwanted immigrants!
SNIP
Phil Pullella, Reuters: Today, you spoke very eloquently about the problems of immigration. On the other side of the border, there is a very tough electoral battle. One of the candidates for the White House, Republican Donald Trump, in an interview recently said that you are a political man and he even said that you are a pawn, an instrument of the Mexican government for migration politics. Trump said that if he’s elected, he wants to build 2,500 kilometers of wall along the border. He wants to deport 11 million illegal immigrants, separating families, etcetera. I would like to ask you, what do you think of these accusations against you and if a North American Catholic can vote for a person like this?
Pope Francis: Thank God he said I was a politician because Aristotle defined the human person as ‘animal politicus.’ At least I am a human person. As to whether I am a pawn, well, maybe, I don’t know. I’ll leave that up to your judgment and that of the people. And then, a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the Gospel. As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved in that. I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt.
SNIP
Bible lessons for El Pope from a Rabbi.
I recall King Hezekiah trying to build a bridge with the Babylonians by inviting their representatives into Jerusalem and showing them all its inner workings and treasures. Even after Isaiah had given God’s warning on this. We all know how that turned out. If you don’t, read Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This Pope is essentially asking us to do the same thing. I also recall that God specifically ordered Nehemiah to build a wall around Jerusalem.
RE: We all know how that turned out.
I think the Babylonian invasion did not happen in his lifetime but in the lifetime of his descendants.
I guess that’s the reason why we continue kicking the can down the road... most politicians reckon they won’t see disaster while they are still alive.
This is an ancient wall, it has nothing to do with keeping everybody out. I was born in Rome so I can tell you, as would any other tourist, that anyone can access the Vatican grounds. Its history is detailed in this wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonine_City
The pope is making huge mistakes. He will regret them as it is beginning to prove that he is human and he will make more. He came from a hard communists country.
Stupid Mexicans should have built a wall around texas and california a couple hundred years ago, but we will and keep them out, yee haw! You Lose!
This is irony personified.
The Trump wall would be built to protect America from muslim terrorists, as well as other things that the government is sworn to protect its citizens from.
The wall around the Vatican was built to protect them from muslims. Mr. Trump is basically doing the same thing!
Yes, anyone can access it. But you still have to go through the gates. Gates that do have guards, do you not?
I was a tourist in Rome. The only part of Vatican City, beyond St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums, that I was allowed to see was that which I could gaze upon from the roof of St. Peter's.
It looked quite nice, though.
ML/NJ
They were the Persian Empire and their generous multi cultural out reach spanned all the way to Grease.
The Swiss Guards are manly for the protection of the Pope and I think the gate to his residence, They a small part of the Vatican police force. They are formidably trained, and carefully chosen. They have never stopped anyone from entering the Vatican unless you give them a reason.
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