Bible has lots to say about immigration

seattlepi.com ^ | May 19, 2006 | Anthony B. Robinson

[teawithmisswilliams]

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...

[Radix]

It is fact that the Bible admonishes Israel to treat immigrants with decency and respect, etc...

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?

[Moseley]

The Bible DOES NOT TELL US to allow foreigners into society.

The Bible tells us how to treat those WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE COUNTRY... THAT IS LEGAL immigrants.

Nothing in the Bible tells us that foreigners should be allowed to BREAK THE LAWS of the society.

Nothing in the Bible tells us that foreigners should be ALLOWED IN to the country.

The Bible tells us how to treat foreigners AFTER THEY ARE LAWFULLY IN THE COUNTRY.

What the Bible says presupposes that the foreigner is LEGALLY in the country.

Then, once the foreigner is LAWFULLY in the country, THEY MUST BE TREATED FAIRLY.

However, what does the Bible say about obeying the law:

SEE ROMANS CHAPTER 13:

1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

[Radix]

"Jesus himself obeyed laws that he didn’t 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.

[Moseley]

And why can't they do it in Mexico?

There is no famine in Mexico.

There is no war in Mexico.

There is no natural disaster in Mexico.

There is no persecution in Mexico.

THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANYONE TO LEAVE MEXICO TO COME TO THE USA.

WHAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING IS PURE GREED, NOT NEED. Usually, liberals understand that pure GREED is not a Christian concept.

[Alouette]

"You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt."

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.

[joesbucks]

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.

[teawithmisswilliams]

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?

[SerpentDove]

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.

[pallis]

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.

[kilohertz]

I wonder if Jesus’ mother and adopted father sinned when they fled into Egypt with him while he was a child...

In 1 AD, both Judea and Egypt were Roman possessions. Joseph and Mary didn't leave the state they were in. You bet they paid local taxes owed, under the Roman tax-farming system (remember, Matthew, the tax collector?), and they likely registered wherever required (wasn't the purpose of the trip to Bethlehem tax registration?)

This sort of "Joseph and Mary were illegal aliens" nonsense is as bad as when the homeless hustlers declared that Joseph and Mary were "homeless" ... when in fact they just could not find an inn one evening!

[kilohertz]

The biblical plagues of locusts more accurately describe our present situation.

You know, I've always wondered, when the Pharaoh used the Hebrew slaves to build his treasure cities, what did that do to the wages of free Egyptian masons?

Or were those just jobs Egyptians wouldn't do ... ;-)

[Kevmo]

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

[VR-21]

Outstanding KHz! I nominate you for the Ambrose Bierce Award for Chilled Blue Air Sarcasm.

[Old_Mil]

I've posted this before...

...the Bible does indeed have a lot to say about immigration. In fact, there's a whole book devoted to it: Ruth.

In it, we learn that when we move to a new land, we do so with permission and bring along the attitude: "Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."

A Biblical attitude towards immigration doesn't involve surrendering national identity, language, law, and organization in favor of anarchy so that corporations can improve the bottom line. It doesn't involve allowing your homeland to be colonized by a people devoted to the worship of Allah. It doesn't involve almost everything that both the Democrats and Republicans are trying to advance with this bill and real Christians should stand against it.

[no dems]

Talk about a stretch. Have these people ever heard of “taking the WHOLE counsel of God”?
I was at an Immigration Hearing in Houston some months ago and all the Mexican illegals and American moonbats were wearing T-shirts with that Scripture from Exodous on them
I wonder if they can quote another verse in the entire Bible.

[LibertyRocks]

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.