Lessons from the Immigration Debate
When I originally put this post up last night, it was extremely sarcastic. I kind-of liked it, but then I decided it wasn't charitable enough toward those who disagree with me - so I pulled it. Here, now, is the kinder, gentler, blander version. (Some will note a previous comment that was made to the original post...)
Three observations about the interaction between Christian spirituality and the immigration debate:
1. Jesus' teachings about loving your neighbor (even your enemies), giving up your coat and cloak to someone who asks, and being a good Samaritan seem to be directly applicable to the way we treat impoverished people who want to participate in the American economy. To love those from other countries is to support policies that give them hope for escaping poverty and disease. I see no way around this. Specifically...
2. I don't think Jesus would say that we don't need to love our neighbors simply because the neighbor refuses to obey the laws of our country. This is particularly true where those laws function to keep your neighbor living in squalor. Using the rule of law as a means of avoiding the issue of whether people are being treated justly is a cheap tactic.
3. I am unpersuaded by the arguments that Americans should fight to preserve our "way of life," our jobs, and our healthcare. The Way of Jesus does not involve building walls around and hoarding resources, jobs, government benefits, etc. I can't separate my political position on this issue from my own personal conduct. I don't see how anyone can.
4. Christians, of all people, should be careful about spreading disinformation that is designed to generate fear and anger. For example, a chain email which is now in wide circulation suggests that the Hispanic people have formed a unilateral, paramilitary coalition to take over the American Southwest. As things turn out, much of what the email says is unsubstantiated, and the rest of it comes from statements that were made more than ten years ago by extremist Hispanic politicians. Details can be found here. This tactic is unfair. It attempts to delegitimize and villify the plight of millions of people who would simply like an opportunity to become responsible participants in our robust economy.
5. At the very least, if you're going to oppose pro-immigration policies, you should find a way to do it that does not appeal to people's sense of fear, greed, and anger. If you are a follower of Christ, what does your attitude tell the world about Jesus?
Tags: immigration,Christianity, discipleship
Three observations about the interaction between Christian spirituality and the immigration debate:
1. Jesus' teachings about loving your neighbor (even your enemies), giving up your coat and cloak to someone who asks, and being a good Samaritan seem to be directly applicable to the way we treat impoverished people who want to participate in the American economy. To love those from other countries is to support policies that give them hope for escaping poverty and disease. I see no way around this. Specifically...
2. I don't think Jesus would say that we don't need to love our neighbors simply because the neighbor refuses to obey the laws of our country. This is particularly true where those laws function to keep your neighbor living in squalor. Using the rule of law as a means of avoiding the issue of whether people are being treated justly is a cheap tactic.
3. I am unpersuaded by the arguments that Americans should fight to preserve our "way of life," our jobs, and our healthcare. The Way of Jesus does not involve building walls around and hoarding resources, jobs, government benefits, etc. I can't separate my political position on this issue from my own personal conduct. I don't see how anyone can.
4. Christians, of all people, should be careful about spreading disinformation that is designed to generate fear and anger. For example, a chain email which is now in wide circulation suggests that the Hispanic people have formed a unilateral, paramilitary coalition to take over the American Southwest. As things turn out, much of what the email says is unsubstantiated, and the rest of it comes from statements that were made more than ten years ago by extremist Hispanic politicians. Details can be found here. This tactic is unfair. It attempts to delegitimize and villify the plight of millions of people who would simply like an opportunity to become responsible participants in our robust economy.
5. At the very least, if you're going to oppose pro-immigration policies, you should find a way to do it that does not appeal to people's sense of fear, greed, and anger. If you are a follower of Christ, what does your attitude tell the world about Jesus?
Tags: immigration,Christianity, discipleship
posted by Matt at Tuesday, May 02, 2006
5 Comments:
I happened upon your bLog while I was randomly browsing blogspot. I like your sarcasm and LOVE your spiritual insight. Luckily, blogging allows me to voice my support for your views and pacify my idealistic spirit without being forced to DO anything (I'm idealistic, but way too damn lazy).
I do have a question on the immigration issue, though. I saw in the news that immigration rallies were being held all over the U.S. AND in Mexico. Ummm, don't you technically have to immigrate before you can classify yourself as an immigrant??? How does it help the case of Mexican-Americans to show solidarity with other (non-US) Mexicans on immigration issues? It seems like this would just add weight to the notion that Mexico is planning to annex the southwestern United States and bid for statehood.
Matt,
Thanks for your insightful comments. I've been struggling to put words to my feelings on how Jesus would respond to this issue, but you've given me a boost with this entry.
I don't have a problem with legal immigration. It's been a few centuries since my progenitors were in this position, which likely means they were kicked out of Europe early due to nefarious behavior. :P
I can certainly understand why someone would want to escape the grinding poverty and corruption that is modern Mexico. It's flattering to me as an American that we're still recognized as a place to build a better life, at least by people who haven't been 'educated' as to what a horrible country we are.
That being the case, there are four responsibilites that are being unmet here on a macro scale:
1. There is a process for legal immigration to which some people are not paying the slightest regard, a process that ostensibly comes from a government ordained by God.
2. The process for legal immigration is generous by world standards but probably not generous enough and the government should address that.
3. Employers should obey the laws of their government and should be fined severely if they violate them. Namely, hiring illegal immigrants at cut-rate prices.
4. The government of Mexico is failing its people miserably and should see to its own responsibilities rather than using illegal immigration to the US as its plan to create relatively high-paying jobs.
Meeting the needs of another is my responsibility regardless of their immigration status, if someone needs help I'm not going to ask for a green card first. But Jesus didn't decide that Roman law was there for the breaking because it was unfair for Jews to have to carry backpacks.
It's incomplete to say that "immigrants are doing jobs Americans won't do," the rest of that statement is "won't do at a given price point." American workers will go to work in coal mines and work high steel and other dangerous or unpleasant jobs, just not at minimum wage. Of all the groups that are negatively impacted by the depressive effect of illegal workers on wages, it's the African-American community that likely hurts the most, which may explain why NAACP isn't taking a co-lead role in this issue. And I realize that the issue of illegal immigration encompasses more than just Mexican immigrants, but statistically they're the largest group.
WWJD? Help people, IMO, and encourage them to get right with the law. How is illegal immigration any more spiritually justified than tax evasion? I could do a lot of good for people with the money I pay in income taxes, but it's the law that the government has priority in that manner and we have a direct biblical example to stay straight with The Man in that regard.
I think we should make the immigration process easier and more streamlined, but I don't think it's too much to ask for people to sign the guestbook when they enter the country.
Darren-
I appreciate the way you are willing to put your arguments in the context of the WWJD question. That sort-of rhetoric is missing among a lot of folks on the "anti" side of the immigration debate. (Not suggesting you're fully within that camp yourself - just that, even where you lean in that direction, you want to be faithful to the Kingdom...)
Matt, I think I have become enlightened recently that our religious movement is overly consumed by details related to the events of one Sunday morning hour and curiously disinterested in the other 167 hours to be had in a week. When it really comes down to it, Jesus didn't say, "and make sure you get the worship right above all", he said to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, comfort the sad and attend to the sick. I'm all for bare-knuckle brawling over women's role in the church, projected song lyrics, praise teams and instrumental music AFTER we have Jesus' To Do list accomplished.
Guess I had better rise from my couch and do some of those things, then. *sheepish grimace*
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