In a sense, however, Bedingfield is doing us all a favor, by forcing the libertarian Left and Right to work with people of faith and the pragmatic Middle to achieve comprehensive immigration reform this year.
As Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform points out, there some important Biblical principles that surround immigration:
- All people, regardless of national origin or citizenship status, are made in the "image of God" and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect (Genesis 1:26-27, 9:6).
- There is an undeniable responsibility to love and show compassion for the stranger among us (Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 25:31-46).
- Immigrants are our neighbors, both literally and figuratively, and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves and show mercy to neighbors in need (Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:25-37).
- While the rule of law is necessary to protect a society, there is a Biblical mandate to oppose unjust laws and systems that harm and oppress people made in God's image, especially the vulnerable (Isaiah 10:1-4, Jeremiah 7:1-7, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-7).
3 comments:
Though I haven't studied the Arizona legislation in depth, what I have heard and read leads me to believe it is rather idiotic, latent with abuse and inciting civil unrest. Perhaps now America will address the root causes of illegal immigration now that its symptoms have asserted themselves.
It's May 1st today. Generally, every new bill after May 1st is dead on arrival unless 2/3 of the legislature decides otherwise.
A bill must have already been passed out of one chamber prior to May 1st for that bill to be considered by the other chamber, unless 2/3 want to consider it.
Tough to do, but it might happen, of course. The legislature often overrides Sanford's veto, so 2/3 happens all the time. We'll see.
Amendment(s) have addressed possible abuses of racial profiling. I find it much more palatable. Not a comprehensive solution, but a step in the right direction. Citizenship is quintessential to identity, all the more so when it comes to criminal conduct.
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