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Bible is clear on helping immigrants
abqjournal.com ^ | July 13, 2014 | Justin Remer-thamert / Program Director, New Mexico Faith Coalition For Immigrant Justice

Posted on 07/13/2014 7:53:34 AM PDT by moonshinner_09

Southeast New Mexico is facing a crisis that cuts at the heart of Christian faith and practice.

With Immigration and Customs Enforcement bringing some 600 Central American refugees to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, local citizens are rallying. Tragically, the most vehement response is exceptionally negative, couched in fear, fueled in politicized rhetoric and grounded in anything but biblical, moral and humanitarian concerns.

As faith leaders and pastors in Eddy and Lea Counties, we call for Christian grace, morality and common sense given the looming crisis. We commend events like a planned July 15 interfaith vigil at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper NW in Albuquerque at 6 p.m.

Scripture repeatedly and unapologetically calls us to welcome the stranger, the orphan, the widow. Leviticus 19:33-34 recalls when the people of God were unwanted immigrants in Egypt. Central to the biblical narrative is the call to remember the treatment of the Hebrew people so we never return such inhumanity upon others.

Jesus emphasized this vital law of God’s grace and welcome. Most notably, Matthew 25 reminds us that salvation hinges on caring for “the least of these.” James writes that for faith to be authentic, it must prioritize our care for the orphans and widows in distress. As Central American women and children are brought to our backyard in Eddy County, Christianity demands compassion.

Extending hospitality to the stranger is not an easy practice. We fear what we don’t understand. Accordingly, many have expressed outrage at the decision to house these immigrants at FLETC.

(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Local News; Politics
KEYWORDS: aliens; immigration; nm
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To: slumber1

As to the title...

Is the Bible clear on “helping” foreign illegal alien invaders, many of whom are criminals? My “bible” says that they should be arrested, have any assets seized and deported immediately.


61 posted on 07/13/2014 9:18:24 AM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: moonshinner_09

Another scripture Twister. The bible clearly does not say to allow Illegal aliens to pillage your culture and belief system. In fact God warned his people not to do that. After they did it anyways then they were severely punished.

The bible also does not insert the world “Illegal” in front of Alien. Using the logic of these scripture twisters then any good moral or even Christian culture would be turned into a total mess. Which is the exact plan, and the exact purpose of the powers in control. This pastor along with many others ignores natural law and wishes for us to commit suicide.

While it is Christian to find ways to help them. It is not OK to let them invade your country.
In a few short years this country will be as destitute and corrupt as the countries that these Illegal Immigrants are coming from. And there will not be any place for Americans to run.


62 posted on 07/13/2014 9:24:57 AM PDT by Revel
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To: Flag_This
The Bible does seem pretty clear:

John 10:1

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber

Not to liberals.

Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:

63 posted on 07/13/2014 9:27:20 AM PDT by loboinok (Gun control is hitting what you aim at!)
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To: cuban leaf

yes, we should help them, help them RETURN to their home countries!


64 posted on 07/13/2014 9:32:18 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009 (Obama lied .. the economy died.)
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To: CharlesOConnell
This is what I wrote to Bishop Gerald Barnes, head of the San Bernardino Diocese:

bishops office@sbdiocese.org

Dear Bishop Barnes,

Please convey this message of encouragement and caution to those who are dealing with the suffering and politically exploited immigrant and trafficked youth in our Diocese:

I understand that the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are not optional. Amar es entregarse. The love of Christ impels us to help the needy.

However, Mercy does not impel us to become accessories in crimes, nor to be exploited by the coercive power of a lawless State.

The resettlement of tens or hundreds of thousands of Central American people here is a crime. Both they (unwillingly, in the case of children) and the present Administration (willingly) are breaking the reasonable laws of the United States regarding just, lawful, well-ordered and humane immigration.

This is being done in a manner totally opposed to the Common Good. And the present Administration is using this for partisan political purposes which are at odds with the Rule of Law in our country, and hugely destructive to our citizens' well-being. It amounts enabling to one of the biggest, most immoral human trafficking schemes in the history of the United States.

I believe we must fed the hungry when we see them, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. I will cooperate with merciful acts with all my heart.

I urge you to tell the government authorities that you, and we the faithful Catholics in your diocese, will house and help these unfortunate Central American young people, only pending the reunification of their families via their swift and compassionate repatriation to their countries of origin.

Sincerely yours in Christ, [name]

65 posted on 07/13/2014 9:35:36 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly with your God)
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To: Patton@Bastogne
Serve them a hot lunch ... and DEPORT these people (specifically children) back to their EVIL governments ...

No, no, no… deport them overseas.
Make it really difficult for them to become repeat offenders.

66 posted on 07/13/2014 9:36:02 AM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Bogey78O
There is a difference between a guest and someone demanding you house and clothe them.

Why, why, why would you go there?

(Lk 6:29)
If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

67 posted on 07/13/2014 9:42:00 AM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Flag_This
OH, excellent use of that scripture.
68 posted on 07/13/2014 9:43:55 AM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: moonshinner_09

What can be more Christian then to clean these kids up and return them to their loving families and home countries? This would free them from pawns of the drug cartels and sleazebag politicians.


69 posted on 07/13/2014 10:05:25 AM PDT by kenmcg (b)
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To: moonshinner_09

The Bible is against suicide, and this invasion is cultural suicide.


70 posted on 07/13/2014 10:38:12 AM PDT by Exton1
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To: moonshinner_09
Matthew 25 reminds us that salvation hinges on caring for “the least of these.”

The author is an idiot.

71 posted on 07/13/2014 11:00:03 AM PDT by tbpiper
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To: mdmathis6

If you read the story, Christ washed all of his disciples feet and gave a lesson on Christian love and Christian leadership...”He who is the leader of all is the servant of all”


Yep. The problem is that we are so removed from such a time that although we can get the message through words, the symbolic washing of feet just feels stupid.


72 posted on 07/13/2014 1:13:34 PM PDT by cuban leaf (The US will not survive the obama presidency. The world may not either.)
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To: bunkerhill7

The poster I had earlier responded to was trying to justify our government’s aiding and abetting illegal aliens’ crashing our system with the example of Pharoah offering kindness to Joseph’s family. Obama is not Pharoah and he is flouting our constitution that he also is subject to! Let’s not be obtuse!


73 posted on 07/13/2014 2:48:40 PM PDT by mdmathis6
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To: Mr Rogers; moonshinner_09
I’m all for helping the poor...in their own country

I've just come up with the solution for our border crisis...

First, we need to stop the Mexican Army's incursions into our country. When they fire upon border agents we need to respond with a few A-10s. Attacking our people must be seen as an “Act of Suicide.”

Next, we need to claim and control a portion of Mexico, adjacent to our border, roughly 100 square miles in size. On this land we should build a facility to assist and aid migrants. We can start with standard portable military shelters and eventually build permanent structures.

Invite US and international NGOs (doctors without borders, Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, etc...) to participate in care and comfort of those in need.

Set up a center to evaluate the situation of the migrants to determine whether they should continue on into the US or if it would be better to direct them to another location.

Results, everybody wins!

74 posted on 07/13/2014 3:03:44 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: mdmathis6

The Egyptians got more out of them economically keeping them enslaved, but they also feared them as a security risk and tried to limit their numbers passing laws enforcing infanticide of their 1st born.


The law stated ALL Jewish Males were to be put to death. Later, the Angel of Death passed through the city to kill every first born male child (from the highest born to the lowest). The Angel “passed-over” all houses marked with the blood of the lamb.


75 posted on 07/13/2014 3:24:28 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: moonshinner_09

This is NOT a Theocracy! IF ANY “Christians” on this forum believe this horse shit, they can speak up and say so.


76 posted on 07/13/2014 6:55:48 PM PDT by nomad
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To: Rides_A_Red_Horse; All

“of their 1st born.”

Indeed it was all their males...correction on point acknowledged!


77 posted on 07/13/2014 9:22:36 PM PDT by mdmathis6
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