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PDF versionLeviticus 19: 33-34
by Demetria Martinez on May. 03, 2010
One of the most heartening things about the immigrants rights movement today is the involvement by U.S. citizens who are people of faith. Thousands turned out in the streets around the country -- side by side with immigrants -- to demand humane immigration reform and to express outrage at Arizona legislation that cracks down on immigrants. The concern for immmigrants' rights is mirrored in migration theology, a growing area of scholarship that examines what the Bible has to say about how we treat "the stranger among us."
Migration theologians frequently cite Leviticus 19: 33-34. "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
The focus of migration theology is on the treatment of the "alien" in terms of charity and justice; they need our help and, according to the Biblical tradition of hospitality, we must respond. (See NCR, September 18, 2009, "Theology in the Age of Migration.")
But there is more to this story. What if we are the ones in need of help from immigrants? What if we need the presence of immigrants to aid us in the battle against ethnocentrism rooted in white supremacist attitudes?
This is the argument put forth by Jose F. Morales Jr. in the March issue of Sojourners magazine. Immigration reform -- bringing scores of immigrants out of the shadows -- will "allow the church to pray and worship in a new way" as immigrants and non-immigrants alike work together to build God’s kingdom on earth, Morales writes. "In this light, it can be argued that the church must rise up in support of the immigrant ... in order to provide healing for a church and nation in need of repentance and reform. Diversity within the church will not only be liberation for a nation trapped in its own white skin, but it will also serve as a crucial spiritual discipline for the white American church."
Morales's argument is one rarely heard. Hopefully, more and more scholars will integrate migration theology with an understanding of the history of racism in America. Such an understanding will require that we repent—and in so doing, renew our spirits and rebuild our churches on a firmer foundation, in the image of God.
God bless you, Ms.
God bless you, Ms. Martinez.
May you ever be so strong, and just.
Thank you.
Support Legal immigration.
Support Legal immigration. Not ILLEGAL immigration.
Law-breakers are illegals and therefore have no respect for our Country, or law and order.
Hmm. God didn't seem to
Hmm. God didn't seem to differentiate.
Where does the Scripture
Where does the Scripture discuss whether an immigrant to a foreign land has "papers?"
God specifically spoke out
God specifically spoke out against stealing. He specifically said that the laborer is entitled to the fruits of his labor.
How do you misconstrue this to mean that lawbreakers can sneak into our country and steal services that they are not entitled to? They are stealing from all of us! If they want to come to this country, there is a LINE of people waiting their turn.
If I decide to go to YOUR home, break in, help myself to your money and your belongings, I would imagine you'd call the police and have me arrested. When criminals break into churches and steal valuable vestments or items belonging to the church, they are arrested and put in jail. There is no difference! If these people do not like the way things are going in their own country, they should take charge of the corrupt politicians that encourage them to come here, make money under the table WITHOUT rendering unto Caesar what is his, and send the money back to their home country.
If you wish to put YOUR money where your MOUTH is, why don't you sponsor an immigrant family and be responsible for their upkeep and bills!
One should not quote
One should not quote Scripture like the Devil to make a case for tolerance of illegal immigration by economic opportunists who are not refugees, asylum seekers or legal entrants. The Holy family were running for Baby Jesus' very life. The aliens were not stealing identities, social services and robbing the residents of their living. The Catholic Church and the Secular authorities have a first duty to the sheep in their own country.
Amnesty or even legal retention of the millions of illegal immigrants would be a bad idea for both Mexico (and other sending countries to a lesser extent) and the United States. It would do nothing to promote the best solution as proposed by both B16 and JPII, to have the sending countries repair their social policies that make it difficult for their own people to get ahead and which promote emigration. It would embed the drug culture into this country It would more than decimate Mexico with family reunification It would not prevent the loss of billions of dollars per year in remittances to this already fragile economy. It would do nothing to get legal American residents back to work. It would do nothing to punish greedy employers. It would do nothing to raise wages for the supporters of legal American families. The Bishops are doing the same thing here as they did in the sex abuse crisis. They are more concerned with the wrongdoers than the sexual abuse victims or the legal American resident victims whose jobs and livelihood have been stolen by illegal opportunists.http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/borderpatrol.asp
Nothing will change your mind
Nothing will change your mind "legal American resident victims whose jobs and livelihood have been stolen by illegal " Jobs go out the door when we buy foreign cars, computers, shoes, food.... the list is very long. Next the majority of countries are going through a financial Global melt down led by the USA financial institutions.
You can blame whom ever you want, and this may make you feel good but this will not resolve the problem.
You have a right to want to "raise wages for the supporters of legal American families"
I sent a comment about the
I sent a comment about the fact that the author and the person she quotes are racist. It was not printed.
Is there any explanation other than the intent to stifle thought on the issue?
Here is something from your
Here is something from your LEVITICUS 20: 13
Quote:
" 'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
If we except on single line of the Bible to protect those that have broken the law, then we have to live with the entire Bible...I don't believe Liberals could/would do that, it goes against what they are selling! Which is not the Bible, it is Communism at it's highest level...
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