This past week I was reading an article on illegal immigration--a hot political topic--and something caught my attention. The author said that evangelicals (conservative Christians) were divided on illegal immigration, and this created uncertainty in the upcoming fall elections.
At first this struck me as strange that evangelicals would have an opinion on a non-moral issue like illegal immigration. I mean, do evangelicals have positions on the deficit, highway bills, or other non-moral issues? But I quickly reconsidered. Why wouldn't how we treat other human beings be considered a moral issue?
So, what then is a Christian position on illegal immigration. Should illegal immigrants be shipped back to their native country immediately, given temporary work permits, or given amnesty? What should Christians and churches do when they find an illegal immigrant?
James
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6 months ago
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Ever since you posted this, I have been thinking about it. I could never come up with a response that seperated my personal views, laws, and church all in one confusing answer.
I would think the Christian way, would be to love them, treat them as the Lord would, and help them in any way you can. Saying that strikes me as odd, as my personal views come in as I do.
On one side of the fence, the law, where anyone that comes in illegally can be removed. On the other, personal views, anyone that comes in and doesn't make an effort to better society(ie, sells drugs, joins gangs, does something non productive to society) should be tossed, and never allowed back. And the Christian side, help your fellow neighbors. As it says nothing about immigration in the bible I don't think, its hard to go by anything other than aspire to be like the Lord, and love everyone.
Kind of weird to think, what would Jesus do if he saw a guy jumping a fence, trying to go somewhere to possibly help his family.. what would he say...
Matt,
This is indeed a complicated issue, as you indicate. We have an obligation to help all people, particularly the down and out. We also have an obligation to follow the laws, so long as they are not immoral.
The question is, is it immoral to reap the benefits of illegal immigrants (cheap labor), but then deport them whenever convenient? And it is one thing to agree with a law in theory, but what about the good, hard-working illegal immigrant with whom we are sharing the gospel? Do we have an obligation to report them? If we do not, are we rewarding lawbreakers while keeping lawabiding foreign workers out?
I confess not knowing all the answers to these issues. Both justice and mercy must be looked at, certainly.
I think its one of those things that you have to look at the situation and go from there.
Jose, law abiding illegal immigrant that just came to the country to make money to send home to Mexico so that his family can have a better chance of surviving, does his work and goes home and lives a happy existence doing what he can to help his family.
Pablo, introducing drugs by trafficing his family across the border, or across the Gulf Coast. Lives for himself, lives to build a drug business or other illegal aspects...
Id be more inclined to keep my mouth shut for Pedro than Pablo.
I think comparing an issue like this is like comparing apples and oranges. I don't believe you can take Christianity, Government, and a hot issue such as this and stir it together and get something that works. Any way you look at it, personal views and such will get thrown in and all that will come out is a mess.
Just my 2 cents though, others may think otherwise.
And I missed your immoral deporatation question.. I think its wrong, and extremely messed up to reap cheap labor from someone and then kick them out when their purpose has been served.. In no way should this happen.
The subject of illegal immigration is indeed hot now. As a Christian, I do not think we can justify condoning breaking the law. The question posed by a blogger about "What would Jesus do if he saw a person climbing the fence to help his family...." is a great question to dwell upon. When I sin or break the law and then, try to justify it in my mind, I am convicted by the Holy Spirit and by scripture. In Biblical times, prophets spoke against kings. How do we know when it is "right" to speak against authority and "break the law" at the appropriate time? Is there an appropriate time for Christians to break the law? And if so, what laws?
Matt,
It is indeed a delimma, as you point out. Christians historically have definitely held that they must tell the gospel, even if it breaks the law. Hence, you Christians smuggling Bibles into Russia and China.
Beyond this, it gets pretty hazy. An argument could be made not to pay taxes if the government is doing immoral things. This would support the government. It seems logical, right. But Jesus blew this out of the water, saying to pay taxes to Caesar--even though the Roman government was thoroughly pagan.
So rationalizations can be made for anything. I suppose the question I ask is, Is there another way to help people that doesn't break the law? If there is, then we should take it. If there isn't (like with the ban against Bibles), then we have to follow God's law. In the US, it is hard to imagine that there isn't another way to help people. In other countries, with less freedom, this may not be true.
The fact is, we can help illegal immigrants in other ways (send money and food to Mexico, help them get citizenship).
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