Since we have been discussing how a religious person reconciles a humanitarian crisis witinh our immigration system, I thought this article would be some food for thought. So far as I can determine, the good folks of PWC have chosen to their better angels and NOT fallen into the ranks of hateful public protests.
Strangers at Our Door: Refugees, a Crisis of Conscience for American Christians
Michael Stafford ABC Religion and Ethics 25 Jul 2014
In the words of Pope Francis, America is experiencing a “humanitarian emergency.” Fleeing instability and violence in Central America, a human tide of thousands of refugees, many of them unaccompanied children, has been flooding across our southern border.
As children often travelling alone, these refugees are uniquely vulnerable. And yet their arrival has been met, in many instances, with ugly scenes including displays of rank nativism, cruelty and hatred. Instead of finding sanctuary and protection, they are the targets of abuse. As CNN has reported regarding one shameful incident in Murrieta, California, “busloads of babies in their mothers’ laps, teens, ‘tweens and toddlers … were met by screaming protesters waving and wearing American flags and bearing signs that read such things as ‘Return to Sender.'” These reactions communicate a brutally simple message: you are not welcome here.
Given such sentiments, it’s not surprising that, politically, there is a powerful push to strengthen border security in order to prevent their entry, and then quickly to return those who do manage to make it across to their countries of origin without much regard for how unsafe conditions there might be. As a result, the “humanitarian emergency” at the border is also a crisis of conscience for American Christians.
Migration has been a constant throughout human history. As a species, humanity has always been on the move. This will undoubtedly be the case in the future as well. Indeed, we can expect even more people to take to the roads and seas in search of safe harbour in the days ahead, as societies become increasingly insecure and brittle under the stress of social, economic and environmental degradation, and the political instability and violence they engender.
But these problems are not unique to the developing world. Only our own arrogance prevents us from recognizing that we may one day be numbered among the world’s masses of displaced persons ourselves. We have thus picked a very poor time to harden our hearts to the plight of refugees and other migrants.
Moreover, as Christians, we owe a special duty of care to refugees. Scripture warns repeatedly against the mistreatment of refugees and immigrants. It identifies them, along with other powerless persons on the margins of society like widows, orphans and the poor, as being under God’s protection. He watches over them; they are among “the least of” our brothers and sisters (Matthew 25:31-46); in caring for them we are, quite literally, serving the Lord himself.
This isn’t surprising. Migrants and migration play a central role in the history of our faith and God’s unfolding plan for humanity. Jesus Christ was himself a refugee – the Gospel of Matthew tells us that the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s terror. Going further back, so too were the patriarchs of Israel – according to the Book of Genesis, famine drove both Abram and Jacob into Egypt. And as people of faith, Christians can say along with Israel that we have lived as strangers in a foreign land, that we have been uprooted and exiled.
But we are more than the spiritual heirs of migrants and refugees, as Americans we are their historical descendants as well. And yet today many among us would deny entry to those driven from their homes by fear, insecurity and violence. We curse those who seek refuge among us with every vile calumny imaginable. We describe them as lecherous criminals, as looters, as diseased, and compare them to a pestilence, a barbarian horde, or an invading army. Ironically, our own ancestors often faced the same toxic mix of fear and hatred when they arrived in America that we now direct at others.
Finally, we must also acknowledge our own role in creating this “humanitarian emergency” in the first place. Here, the young people journeying to the border are the children of our own drug war. Put another way, the violence tearing their societies apart is fueled by our own insatiable appetite for drugs – by the demons of our own addictions. As a result, we bear a significant share of the responsibility for their suffering. Sin, after all, is never a private matter. It always has social consequences.
As Pope Francis has stated:
“A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization – all typical of a throwaway culture – towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world.”
Pope Francis’s words and the example of his own journey to Lampedusa teach a simple lesson: we must encounter these refugees not as alien “others,” but as what they truly are – our own brothers and sisters. Today, American Christians have an obligation both to help shape the tenor of the discussion in a way that recognizes and respects the fundamental human dignity of the refugees, and to render them effective aid and assistance.Strangers, in desperate need, are arriving at our door. As Christians, we cannot respond with cold hearts and locked gates. We must minister to their suffering by offering them shelter and a share of our own abundance. As Christians, we must welcome them in.
I guess some folks are cherry picking on this one too.
I am enjoying watching Greg L. try to recycle his old red circle rant. I doubt if he will be as successful as he was in the past. Beating up on kids isn’t the most popular thing to do. Beating up on Christian groups who are trying to help at-risk kids isn’t the most popular thing to do. Pissing off the Republicans with class and money isn’t too smart either.
Then there is the idea of using data to create a story rather than using data to support what is really happening.
Nice try at pulling random facts out of your ass, Greg. Nice job trying to make something out of nothing at all. Nice job of trying to work up the troops by spreading fear and hate.
I was raised a Presbyterian but have long since left organized religion in the rear view mirror. The hypocrisy I saw in church just hurried me along on my journey. However, I won’t say that lessons learned while attending church as a child were lost on me. That is why it’s exasperating to see “Christians” bellowing about children that a Christian organization has helped in their time of need. I suppose a rude awakening is in store for these people if their “heaven” materializes for I doubt they’ll get a chance to enter.
Luckily for PWC when Greg L. and HSM surfaced, there were many decent people who stepped up to counter their fear-mongering and hatred. I appreciate the work Moon, Elena, Alanna, Unity in the Community, Frank Principi, Marty Nohe, and many other folks did to offer compassionate solutions. I wonder how many people who stepped up to the microphone at the marathon BOCS meeting are proud of the way they sounded or parroted the usual fear-based hysteria over criminals or disease. Their children may well look back at their behavior in shame.
Thank you Censored. I hope that is why people are more reticent to rise up now. That kind of hate makes you feel sick inside. Try as they may to turn these children into “diseased criminals”, my hope is that it will fail. Time will tell.
Yes, I too have been disgusted by Greg’s tactics to turn basic facts into some kind of conspiracy theory about these children being sheltered at YFT. OMG, YFT has been taking kids in since 2012! So the eff what, its legal dummy. They have a contract with the feds, so what! Their facility can house kids in need, so they take kids in need. Nothing nefarious, in fact, the very fact that no one KNEW they were there until someone blabbed the information should be enough to calm people’s fears!
Christian charity requires us to temporarily provide food, shelter and medical care to these children who have needs, which were created by a difficult, dangerous journey to the US border. It does not require us to allow them to stay in the US permanently. The anger results from the fact that few of us believe that US law will be followed to deport those who are not subject to dire circumstances. There has been no evidence to prove that these kids emerged due to dire circumstances. It appears far more likely that people are are using their kids to take advantage of a law designed to curtail human trafficking/exploitation in order to gain entry to the US.
According to some non denominational Christians, Catholics aren’t Christian. So quoting the Pope may be a moot point.
Please show me where the word “temporary” appears in “Christian” doctrine. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing, just looking to validate your statement about what Christian charity “requires”.
Sure Kelly, people in 3rd world countries are studying immigration law in the US! Have you seen Obama’s legislative package to congress? Maybe do a little research before you comment. No one is suggesting all these kids be allowed to stay, not even the President. Living in a country that is more dangerous than Iraq qualifies as a dangerous place to live.
President Obama said on TV last night that they were all being deported. they are also thinking about doing the paper work in the country of origin. Its cheaper. No housing issues if they apply there.
People will finally get their “line.”
Leviticus 19:33-34English Standard Version (ESV)
33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+19%3A33-34&version=ESV
If you have a problem with The Lord, Kelly, take it up with Him on your day of judgment.
@Lyssa
The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is instructive. The Good Samaritan helps the Levite to get back on his feet and then (presumably) sends him on his way.
@Starryflights
Leviticus also calls for homosexuals to be put to death, so I am not sure that we should take too many of our cues from this Old Testament chapter.
I find it interesting that folks who strenuously argue for separation between religion and public policy are willing to use religion when it advances their purpose in public policy.
@Elena
What makes you think I have not done my research? I am very aware of the proposed legislation, but do not believe it will be carried out. Trust that the federal government can, and will, do what it promises is near an all-time low (have you heard about the VA scandal?). Only a small minority of these illegal aliens is likely to be deported: liberal judges will look for excuses to allow them to stay; many won’t show up for their immigration hearings; the system will be overwhelmed by the vast numbers.
Unfortunately my research is too good to accept this legislation at face value. The historical track record for issues like this is very poor and unlikely to get better in such a politicized environment.
I guarantee that the coyotes are very well aware of US law for these children and are using it as part of their sales pitch to potential customers who want transport to the US.
@Kelly_3406
The Sisters of the Good Samaritan Order of St Benedict might not support that analogy. We could spend a week selectively tossing out biblical references – the biggies “love thy neighbor” and “do unto others” really do trump just about everything else in the bible (in my non-Christian Catholic mind). No one says we have to be martyers but we sure should be kind. I don’t know too many people that believe we should take in all that want to enter – but as I said before, I’m sure if Honduras had oil fields, we’d be big humanitarians sending cash, building schools, highways and other infrastructures and making speeches and patting ourselves on the back.
I’d rather send my tax dollars to Latin America than Egypt.
A little African story told to me many times in many countries. A little boy works hard at the school in his village and then moves on to the big city. He is a talented boy and a hard worker. He gets a job. He saves his money. He starts a business in the big city. He becomes prosperous. His reputation spreads.
Soon people start showing up at his doorstep. Not just ordinary people — his brothers and sisters, his nephews and nieces, his cousins, anyone in his family tree on all sides. They invoke the ancient custom that a man who becomes wealthy is obliged to take care of all his poorer relatives. So he does. He provides lodging, food, clothes, transportation, school tuition and fees, medical care, salaries for positions in his business, wedding feasts, and funeral costs.
Then, one day, the little boy from the village wakes up to find that he is a grown man in serious debt. A lot of smiles and verbal pats on the back but a bank account in serious jeopardy. I know. They usually tried to hit me up for loans.
Then there is the bird feeder story people use when they want to back out of anything charitable or when they don’t want certain people immigrating.
However, when hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters hit Americans are very generous. I suppose that is because that kind of “relief” is safe. The victims are there and we are here. If busloads of Katrina or Haiti victims had been brought here I expect our check books would have been put away and our kindness and charitable outlook would have dried up.
El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) said that the UAC’s are getting their interpretations of US immigration law and the Obama administration’s attitudes toward illegal immigration from the likes of UNIVISION and other media. That has given rise to the belief that, if you can get across the border, you will very likely be given a “permiso” to stay. The assessment was taken from interviews of UAC’s. Not so much the violence at home, it seems, as taking advantage of a preceived opportunity to get here and stay without being a hunted illegal alien.
Unless EPIC has some hidden channel it pipes in to the White House, I am going to say they are full of it. I listen to TV a lot, different news channels. I read a lot of different headlines in various periodicals. I do not see “Obama’s attitude” ever as being anything other than do not make this dangerous journey. You will be sent home. That is all I have ever seen.
Kids are given a permiso which is a paper for a deportation hearing.
When a country has a murder rate of 1 out of 14, I hardly think that can be a sign of no violence. Those countries have been filled with violence and poverty for years. Sorry. Everything I know (like from talking to adults and teenagers from those countries) and have read cries bullshit on the EPIC.
I also listened to Fox and friends this morning and their interpretation was unlike anything heard on the rest of the news sources. It seems that there are no little children and that everyone is a fully grown 16 year old at least. Most are gang members and are just pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. I have never heard anything like it. Back to turning off Faux News for another rmonth.
Every so often I force myself to watch just to see where all the misinformation is coming from.
The President of Honduras says that the “coyotes” are the salesmen for convincing Hondurans to migrate to America because, under Obama, they will certainly be able to get into and stay in the USA. The “coyotes” are doing a hard and lucrative sell of their escort services.
Why would we listen to the president of the Honduras? The guy obviously doesn’t care if most of the people there live in poverty and danger. I would. call BS on him. If there was no problem the coyotes would be howling in the wind and no one would listen.
I would say that EPIC knows a hell of a lot more about this border situation than anyone on this blog. They are reporting what the interviewed UAC’s say is their driving force for the current migration, whether anyone else likes it or not.
And the Prexy of Honduras is not the only one fingering the coyotes as primary salesmen for the migration. This is a big payday for these guys, who are no doubt connected to or paying off the cartels.
“Why would we listen to the president of Honduras”? Ask your guy Obama. He’s the one who invited the fellow up here for talks— along with counterparts in El Salvador and Guatemala.
How do I know that EPIC is not politically driven like other government agencies supposedly are? I don’t. I wouldn’t necessarily listen to a spokesman from the federation of border patrols or whatever they call themselves either.
He should invite the leaders from those countries here to talk. That doesn’t mean he has to hang on their every word.
@Lyssa
The “do unto others” verse has a second part, which of course is “as you would have them do to you”. From my perspective, if I was assisted with clothing, shelter and medical care, I would be grateful and thus do everything possible not to be a further burden. I would not dream of taking advantage of their generosity and charity to break laws or illegally remain in the host country. It is one thing to provide assistance to get someone back on his feet, but quite another to allow him to take advantage. So in my opinion providing care for this flood of illegal aliens and then deporting them does fulfill the requirements of “do unto others”.
The Good Sisters of the Good Samaritan Order of St Benedict might disagree with my viewpoint, but many of the people coming across the border are probably Catholic. The church has long supported Catholics that came across the border.
Kelly. They are children–he flood you are talking about. Those are the children who are receiving this supposed charity. They are receiving it because they are in our custody. You feed, cloth, and provide shelter for those in your custody.
I would also venture to say that if you were a poor illegal immigrant adult, you would not be racing home if you knew all you had to face was poverty–a poverty like you and I have never known.
..and don’t forget “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us.” That’s a little more open ended than “as you would have them do unto you”. And I’ll bet you say it much more often?
I think it might be hard to turn EPIC into a politically driven intel unit in the way you seem to mean. It was started by the DEA to cover border drug smugging but is now manned by people from almost every security agency in the government. That includes Homeland Security. If that kind of unit is politically driven, it would be more likely toward providing reporting that matched the public statements coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania, regardless of the occupant at the time.
Nice evasion. You asked why “anyone” would listen to the guy from Honduras. Obviously POTUS doesn’t agree with you.
@Lyssa
Forgiving someone’s trespass does not imply that the trespasser gets to benefit from the deed. For example, a murderer may request, and be granted, forgiveness by the victim’s family, but that does not mean that his sentence gets commuted.
We need to treat illegal aliens with compassion and dignity (including food and shelter after their difficult journey) …. while sending them back to their native countries to wait their turn in line.
Please me where the line is? There is no line.
This situation is a humanitarian crisis, not your ordinary swim across the Rio Grande.
It really cannot be treated like illegal immigration. Any kids that come into the country unaccompanied without a visa are illegal immigrants, aren’t they?
Leaping to murder is a quite a leap for this discussion and hardly analogous here. Anyone taught well about forgiveness knows forgiveness and salvation are not the same thing. Not a new thought.
I’m talking simply about kindness towards some unfortunate children. The world is full of poor people. Disparaging them is unkind. -30-
I agree with you about kindness. These children’s lives are in jeopardy.
You are wrong if you think that I am disparaging anyone. The point is to use an extreme case to explain the logic. In both cases the law was broken. In both cases there is no reason to overlook what was done.
Kindness does NOT equate to allowing 10,000s of unfortunate kids to remain in the country. There is no legitimate evidence that returning the kids to their countries places their lives in danger. Sure, there is gang violence, but that exists here too. It has proven to be extremely dangerous in some US inner cities as well. So allowing these kids to remain in the USA solves nothing, but does divert resources from American children who need assistance just as badly.
I have been to places with real poverty during my previous military career. My observation is that the ones that are truly in need are those that are not able to pay coyotes to get across the border and thus have to remain in country. True kindness would be to assist these countries to solve their root problems, rather than to provide feel-good band aid solutions that benefit only a few.
We could send assistance if it were just poverty. It isn’t. Lives are in danger, according to the author.
Would you say the same thing to boatloads of Jewish children if you could go back in time? We pretty much know the outcome there. Decent people from all over the world took in Jewish children. Even then, it wasn’t enough.
I feel particularly partial to rescuing these kids because they are from the Americas. These kids have barely gone to school in their lives. I hardly think Dream Act thinking is motivating them either.
I do not think there are really many lives in danger. Although 10s of thousands of children have flocked to the US, millions have remained behind. If there was an epidemic of violence against kids in Latin America, it would be huge news. We would know for sure, and there would be no debate. There has been some speculation that there COULD be violence, but it has not materialized.