The problem of racial profiling and other concerns over the state’s immigration policy have prompted religious leaders to call for a humane solution to what seems to be an intractable national problem.
Since 1991, LARCUM, an ecumenical group of South Carolina bishops representing the Lutheran Synod, two Episcopal dioceses, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston and the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, has been meeting to discuss matters theological, ecumenical, ecclesiastical and practical.
Lately, the conversation has shifted to the issue of illegal immigration. These leaders are promoting dialogue and reconciliation and citing the Bible repeatedly.
They make no distinction on those who were in Israel legally and those who were not. The Bible, however, does. In many instances in the Bible, there are examples of requesting permission to cross borders (Joseph’s brothers requesting permission of pharaoh to stay in Egypt — which was granted; Moses requesting permission to cross the borders of Edom — and being refused, and escorted by an army to make sure they stayed out). In other words, even then nations had borders that were defended and had some sort of process for requesting immigration. Some were welcoming, others were not. But if you were there without permission, you did not have legal status.
The Bible has two words for stranger — one ([i]Ger[/i])for a legal sojourner in the country who has rights of law and all the benefits of a guest — the legal alien; and one ([i]Zar[/i]for those ‘passing through’ or without intent of staying who is NOT granted protection of the laws of the country — the illegal alien. (Anyone can Google this to find deeper explanations and studies.)
They also call Jesus a ‘refugee’ but He wasn’t — where the Roman Empire was, those in the Empire could travel from one place to another. The Holy Family going to Egypt was no different than our going from Florida to Texas for a job.
They also ignore the fact that the Bible calls us to obey the laws of the government (as long as it does not conflict with our duty to God). A nation setting up immigration laws such as our that provide a path for guest workers, student visas, and a path to citizenship is hardly a burden to the Christian conscience.
Peace
Jim E. <>< The religious leaders in the article are putting their cause first and twisting the Bible to fit that cause, rather than the other way around.
The Hebrews didn’t exactly stand in line to show papers at border checkpoints when they entered Israel. I’m not sure the Bible tells us much about American immigration policy in the 21st Century. The current system doesn’t work for the economic and security interests of the country. But aside from that, the Christian response to the plight of those who are harmed by the effects of current laws and policies is that we minister to their needs. This includes legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, and citizens who may be adversely affected by a structure that politicians have no stomach to address.
Apologies: “Israel” should read “Canaan” in last comment. Getting terribly sloppy around here, these days.
I believe libraryjim is engaging in biblical Eisegesis , that is to read into scripture, to support a populist and restricting view of immigration,. While there is a distinction between types of aliens, there is no difference in the treatment of each class.
Leviticus 19: 33:34
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.
Deuteronomy 10:19
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
Note the reason the Indicative: strangers in the land of Egypt.
Starting from the 1920’s and onward, I feel the immigration policy is based on restrictionism, racism, and or populism. I find no support scriptures to say America should kick out all democratic leaning immigrants and a few undesirable white one to boot, lock up borders and place restriction on business hiring policies. American conservative immigration policy is affront to Christian values but also the value of Liberty under Capitalism.
There was a time in America one has to survive the trip over, be healthy and willing to work to get in until some time in 1920’s or so due to various immigration scares mixed with populism and overt racism.
I believe we need to protect the border but also insure safe and open passage to those who want to come a trade and work in the US. Finally, I leave a parting quote from The Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
4, there is no right by any one to open US borders. The preamble to the Declaration has nothing to do with an aliens entry into the United States particularly if that entry is illegal.
Interesting, Scatcatpdx, you accuse me of “Eisegesis, that is to read into scripture, to support a … view of immigration,” then you go and do the same, yet see nothing wrong in YOUR doing so. 🙂
NoVa, you are right that we need to treat all in such a way as to minister to their needs, yet that includes insisting that if they broke our laws by coming here illegally, they need to return to their country of origin and follow the law when seeking to immigrate. We should not encourage them in lawbreaking.
Peace!
Jim <><