Posted on 06/15/2007 2:21:03 PM PDT by berstbubble
How many religious leaders have you heard address the topic of immigrant rights? How many sermons have you heard on immigration reform? If there were a scripture-to-sermon ratio test, one would expect to hear about 50 sermons on immigrants for every one sermon on homosexuality. That's roughly the ratio of biblical utterances on the two topics.
The overall theme of the Bible's teaching is summed up in Exodus 22:21, "You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt." Reminding the people of biblical Israel that they had been slaves in Egypt, the Hebrews are enjoined to treat aliens, foreigners and sojourners in their midst fairly and with respect. Leviticus 19:34 echoes and expands upon the Exodus teaching. "The alien who resides among you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." From the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews we hear, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unawares."
Funny how those giving “sanctuary” to those who have illegally invaded our country don’t seem to care what Jesus or Saint Paul had to say about respecting a nation’s laws...
Are you suggesting that the clearly (mostly) Godless members of the U.S. Senate would be somehow justified now in their actions to impose illegal immigration into our secular Nation because the Bible commands the Jews to do so in their Promised Land?
Are you serious, or are you just trying to wise us all with your formidable knowledge of the Bible, and your complete disdain for our Constitution, just as our Congress and President are doing?
"Jesus himself obeyed laws that he didnt agree with and he encouraged others to do the same.
Render unto Cesar...."
Taxes are one thing. Please be careful with your extrapolations. They tax my brain. I do not want to have to explain crap all of the time to people who read things without comprehending, and quote things out of context.
This is one of the most misunderstood and distorted passages in the Scriptures. The "Ger Toshav" ("stranger in your midst") was required to obey the law of the land.
Hostile strangers in Biblical times, were exterminated.
an argument that could be used is if we truly believe we have inalienable rights, rights that can’t be taken away by man, and we deny those rights to those across our borders and they have had those God given rights taken away, then we have in fact played the role of man taking away those rights also.
The “inalienable rights” don’t mention freedom to ignore a country’s immigration laws, borders, or sovereignty, and in fact are part of the declaration FORMING our country. Only a sophist, or someone woefully ignorant, would use that phrase to justify invading a country. What if
my pursuit of happiness “requires” me to steal your car, invade your house, or give you TB?
This was written to the Hebrew nation, under a theocracy.
The Bible says a lot about lawbreaking, and what should happen to lawbreakers, as illegal immigrants into the U.S. are.
Lawlessness is ALWAYS condemned in the Bible. Always.
During the life of Jesus Egypt and Judea were both in the Roman Empire, and there were cities in Egypt, like Alexandria, that were heavily populated by Jews, so it is unlikely that Joseph and Mary met with much resistance in their journey to Egypt, and it wouldn’t have been unlawful for them to travel there at the time.
Today I went round & round on this thread that had to do with what Jesus said and how it might apply to extending benefits to illegal aliens.
Expansion of health care for immigrant kids urged
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1850809/posts
I wrote: Even Jesus once said, Let the children eat first.
Before freepers get their panties in a wad like they did on that thread, read Mark 7:28-29
Outstanding KHz! I nominate you for the Ambrose Bierce Award for Chilled Blue Air Sarcasm.
Interesting article, but I wholeheartedly disagree with this author’s interpretation of said scripture. I definitely agree with some of the posters on this thread who speak of the difference between “aliens” as referred to in the Bible, and “aliens” as in Illegal Aliens who pose a threat to the security of our country. I understand about entertaining angels unawares, and of the exhortation to treat others who are guests as if they were Jesus Himself at your door... There are however, big differences between an “Illegal Alien/Immigrant”, and a traveler, a visitor, or a guest. I know there are some ministers out there who like to blur lines (i.e. Stealing food is not a crime if you are starving...), but somehow I think this too is a perversion of what was meant by God’s commandment not to steal.
Come to think of it, are not illegal aliens breaking God’s commandment not to steal when they receive services (usually by fraud) which are meant for those who are citizens, and legal residents as they are not entitled to these things? Is it not stealing from the citizens to take advantage of their tax dollars that are used to pay for these services (i.e. Schools, Emergency Medical Care). Is it not also stealing to create a situation in which people are deprived of their earnings due to social situations created by lawlessness [i.e. high costs of car insurance (due to “undocumented drivers” and uninsured drivers), high costs of medical care (due to non-collectible hospital bills from illegal immigrants who use fake names when going to the hospital), etc...].
And finally, is it not stealing to take a job for less pay and break the laws concerning ID Theft/Fraud, Social Security Fraud, when there are U.S. Citizens, and other LEGAL immigrants in various stages of attaining citizenship who could work those jobs?
I don’t know about all of you, but I personally don’t think that the one verse in Exodus somehow nullifies the Commandments, and nullifies God’s wish for us to be good to each other...
These illegal aliens (CRIMINALS) are the ones who are causing problems to law-abiding people in this country. Treat them fairly — YES — make them abide by the same rules and punishments that are meted out for citizens and other LEGAL aliens. This amnesty bill grants them SPECIAL privileges, and pardons — it is NOT right for our government to treat the citizens of our country in this way. We have followed the laws, and the criminals have not.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.