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Evangelicals on Immigration Reform: 'How We Treat the Stranger Is How We Treat Christ'
Christian Post ^ | 05/09/2013 | Stoyan Zaimov

Posted on 05/09/2013 2:22:10 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

The evangelical "Pray for Reform: 92 Days of Prayer and Action to Pass Immigration Reform" campaign called on Congress in a press call on Wednesday to pass meaningful legislation in the next 92 days, throwing further support behind the current momentum in Congress to finally pass a immigration reform bill.

The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, explained in the press call that the number 92 is significant for evangelicals because the Hebrew word for immigration is mentioned 92 times in the Old Testament.

"This number represents the biblical call to welcome the stranger. I'm convinced that we stand on the edge of the Jordan called 'immigration reform.' On the other side lies the promised land of integration, secured borders and safer communities," Rodriguez said.

"We have 11 million hard-working, God-loving family individuals who contribute daily to the spiritual and economic well-being of our nation, waiting to step in," he continued, calling on Congress to show "prophetic courage" when deciding on such measures.

Immigration reform has become a bipartisan issued after the November 2012 election, with both Republicans and Democrats insisting that it is time America found viable solutions for the roughly 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal documents.

The Evangelical Immigration Table leaders have sent Congress a letter calling for bipartisan passage of a bill within 92 days, which they hope will both be fair on American taxpayers but also provide opportunities for undocumented immigrants. In a previous press call in March, EIT outlined some of the key provisions it hopes to see in an immigration reform bill.

EIT argued, however, that those who have been trying to obtain citizenship through a legal path should be addressed first: "This will ensure that those applying now do not enjoy an advantage over those who have been trying to comply with immigration laws, while allowing all qualified applicants to earn status within a reasonable period."

Jim Wallis, president and CEO of the Christian ministry Sojourners, noted on Wednesday that in the dysfunctional political system in Washington D.C., immigration reform is one of the few issues that has a chance of receiving bipartisan support.

"How we treat the stranger is how we treat Christ himself. That message is converting evangelicals by the thousands, by the millions – and we've seen now how that conversation is changing politics," Wallis said.

"We're praying that the dysfunction can be overcome for the sake of 11 million vulnerable undocumented people that Jesus calls us to welcome. Prayer is necessary in these final stages. We are going to pray without ceasing that they can put aside their interests and agendas and finally do something together for those people and for the common good," he added.

Dr. Richard Land, outgoing president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and incoming president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) in Charlotte, N.C., called immigration reform a "moral issue."

"We are calling on Congress not to act like politicians who are focused on the next election, but to act as statesmen and stateswomen who are focused on the next generation," Land said.

He highlighted how legislation has already gone further than many people thought was possible, and explained that the Prayer for Reform campaign shows Congress that evangelicals are behind them on this issue.

"We must begin the mending process, we must focus on the human dignity of each of these individuals and their families and look upon them as the assets that they are, not as liabilities to our nation's future," Land added.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: 113th; aliens; christians; evangelicals; illegals; immigration; reform
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To: SeekAndFind

Now the Good Samaritan only needs to call a social worker, who will sign up the traveller with the Roman Empire’s office of Bread, Circuses, Welfare, SNAP, heating assistance and free public housing.

It’s so easy to be a Good Samaritan!


21 posted on 05/09/2013 2:42:35 PM PDT by PGR88
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To: SeekAndFind

Goofy concept, since it doesn’t take into consideration how some strangers treat other strangers in ways that Jesus would never treat anyone whether or not they were familiar to him or a stranger to him.


22 posted on 05/09/2013 2:44:05 PM PDT by This I Wonder32460
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To: SeekAndFind

Millions of people have come to America seeking a better life.
They did so legally using the system set up for that purpose. They worked paid taxes, contributed to society.
What a slap in their face to grant amnesty to millions that came here ILLEGALLY and burdened our society.


23 posted on 05/09/2013 2:45:18 PM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Where can I go to sign up for the American Revolution 2013 and the Crusades 2013?)
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To: SeekAndFind

These people already have countries and citizenship there.

They are strangers here. There, no.


24 posted on 05/09/2013 2:46:48 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto!)
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To: montag813

Now that makes sense, convert not stranger. Stranger always seems a scary word to me as some strangers are dangerous.


25 posted on 05/09/2013 2:47:00 PM PDT by This I Wonder32460
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To: SeekAndFind

illegals are not stragers, they are criminals and invaders.

How does one treat the theif who steals the college seat from a citizen or legal resident?

How does one treat the theif who steals the job from the citizen or legal resident by subverting the law?

This is no priest he is a pimp.


26 posted on 05/09/2013 2:47:06 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: SeekAndFind

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

— John 10:1


27 posted on 05/09/2013 2:48:00 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (Life, liberty, property, family, RKBA, sovereignty, security, borders, independence, the oath.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Remember that these people have their own country, and they are citizens of Mexico. If someone entered your home, and started using your stuff, I doubt your first inclination would be to welcome them. Even if you were friendly to them, why ask them to stay, even if they offered to do work around your home?


28 posted on 05/09/2013 2:48:51 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy (Best WoT news at rantburg.com)
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To: SeekAndFind

I completely disagree with the progressive, pro-Muslim, emergent church on their stand on this. They are just an arm of the democrat party.

No one should pay attention to them.


29 posted on 05/09/2013 2:50:51 PM PDT by Truth2012
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To: SeekAndFind
"This number represents the biblical call to welcome the strangercriminal. I'm convinced that we stand on the edge of the Jordan called 'immigration reform.' On the other side lies the promised land of integration, secured borders and safer communities," Rodriguez said.

"We have 11 million hard-working-ened, God-loving family individualslaw-despising, career criminals who contributesponge daily from the spiritual and economic well-being of our nation, waiting to step inmooch off of gringo's," he continued, calling on Congress to show "prophetic courage" when deciding on such measures.

Immigration reform has become a bipartisan issued after the November 2012 election, with both Republicans and Democrats insisting that it is time America found viable solutions for the roughly 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal documentsas criminals in defiance of our laws.

The Evangelical Immigration Table leaders have sent Congress a letter calling for bipartisan passage of a bill within 92 days, which they hope will both be fair on American taxpayers but also provide opportunities for undocumented immigrants. In a previous press call in March, EIT outlined some of the key provisions it hopes to see in an immigration reform bill.

EIT argued, however, that those who have been trying to obtain citizenship through a legal path should be addressed first: "This will ensure that those applying now do not enjoy an advantage over those who have been trying to comply with immigration laws, while allowing all qualified applicants to earn status within a reasonable period."

Jim Wallis, president and CEO of the Christian ministry Sojourners and committed opponent of the risen Christ, noted on Wednesday that in the dysfunctional political system in Washington D.C., immigration reform is one of the few issues that has a chance of receiving bipartisan support.

"How we treat the strangercriminal is how we treat Christ himself, . That message is converting evangelicalsindoctrinating the uniformed, fuzzy thinkers by the thousands, by the millions – and we've seen now how that conversation is changing politics," Wallis said.

"We're praying politicking that the dysfunction can be overcome for the sake of 11 million vulnerable undocumented peoplehostile invaders of US sovereignty that JesusMarxism calls us to welcome. Prayer Politickingis necessary in these final stages. We are going to praycampaign without ceasing that they can put aside their interests and agendas and finally do something together for those people and for the common goodinternational Marxism," he added.

Dr. Richard Land, outgoing president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and incoming president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) in Charlotte, N.C., called immigration reform a "moral issue."

"We are calling on Congress not to act like politicians who are focused on the next election, but to act as statesmen and stateswomen who are focused on the next generation," Land said.

He highlighted how legislation has already gone further than many people thought was possible, and explained that the Prayer for Reform campaign shows Congress that evangelicals are behind them on this issue.

"We must begin the mending process, we must focus on the human dignity of each of these individualsblatant law defiers and their families and look upon them as the assetsblood-sucking, anti-American welfare leeches that they are, not as liabilities to our nation's future," Land added.

30 posted on 05/09/2013 2:52:58 PM PDT by LucianOfSamasota (Tanstaafl - its not just for breakfast anymore...)
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To: montag813; WVNan; stylecouncilor; windcliff

God for you, both. You are wise. Thanks so much.

s, w, ping.


31 posted on 05/09/2013 2:53:38 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: SeekAndFind

So . . . they’re saying we should whip and crucify illegal aliens?


32 posted on 05/09/2013 2:56:01 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (People are idiots.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Ann Coulter’s column today said it best. Salvation isn’t just for US citizens. A Mexican can find salvation in Mexico as easy (and probably easier) that he can in the US as a criminal. To say that we can only help Mexicans by allowing them to invade our country makes God very small. They should be praying that Mexico improves instead.


33 posted on 05/09/2013 2:56:34 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: Truth2012

“I completely disagree with the ... emergent church on their stand on this”

The emergent church has a stand on something?


34 posted on 05/09/2013 3:01:40 PM PDT by Gil4 (Progressives - Trying to repeal the Law of Supply and Demand since 1848)
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To: SeekAndFind

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.


35 posted on 05/09/2013 3:03:25 PM PDT by Sergio (An object at rest cannot be stopped! - The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight)
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To: EternalVigilance

Darn...ya beat me to it.


36 posted on 05/09/2013 3:06:15 PM PDT by Sergio (An object at rest cannot be stopped! - The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight)
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To: SeekAndFind

These ‘pious for only our cause’ clergy and evangelists are reason why I have had a long arms length away relationship from the likes for years. I recall Jesus saying something like “Give unto Cesare that which is Cesare’s and unto God that which is of God”. These ‘pious’ thieves of personal and governmental authority are not caring for my welfare. They care only for what they can control by use of twisted and contrived biblical history.


37 posted on 05/09/2013 3:15:30 PM PDT by noinfringers2
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To: SeekAndFind

This nation once used a term called Manifest Destiny to describe the purpose of our country. We were to be a nation of Gods laws to help spread the Gospel to the rest of the world. There were laws put in place to bring in good people and keep out the bad. The only discrimination was in the content of character.

This was to be a growing vibrant system designed to strengthen us here so we could grow to become that shining beacon on the hill, not to just draw all manner of people but to show the rest of the world that they too should become Godly nations to enjoy the benefits thereof.

This call for amnesty is turning this all on its head.


38 posted on 05/09/2013 3:16:54 PM PDT by ResponseAbility (The truth of liberalism is the stupid can feel smart, the lazy entitled, and the immoral unashamed)
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To: SeekAndFind

A stranger broke down on the side of the road, you help.

Eleven million, or twenty million, strangers coming into your homeland, you call the cavalry to expel them.


39 posted on 05/09/2013 3:19:19 PM PDT by marron
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To: Gil4

Look up emergent church movement- yes they do


40 posted on 05/09/2013 3:19:24 PM PDT by Truth2012
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