Immigration an issue of faith, social justice, faith leaders say

Deseret News ^ | Oct. 26, 2011 | Marjorie Cortez

[moonshinner_09]

SALT LAKE CITY — The intersection of faith communities and undocumented immigrants boils down to a basic Christian tenet, said the Rev. Steven R. Mitchell of the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Rock Springs, Wyo.

"Jesus never turned anyone away. Neither do we," the Rev. Mitchell said.

Mark Kadel, director of World Relief Spokane, said the issue must be framed in terms of "real people."

"In God's eye, no one is illegal. They may be undocumented but they're not illegal," said Kadel, who directs programs that work with refugees, immigrants and victims of human trafficking.

The two men were among a panel of faith leaders to address the inaugural Mountain West Summit on immigration issues Wednesday. They were joined by The Rev. Martin Diaz, who represented the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Father Diaz, pastor of St. Therese parish in Midvale, said the Catholic Church had experienced considerable growth as immigrants of Spanish-speaking countries have immigrated to the United States in recent decades.

[moonshinner_09]

Just to ask what laws do these faith groups think apply to those here illegally ? They know they use document fraud to work, is there some reason why faith leaders leave out this ? Then with document fraud the person would have to lie and be dishonest to exist. I never see this listed as being wrong ?

[2ndDivisionVet]

Remind me where Our Lord broke the law or coddled those who did? “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” ~Matthew 5:17

[wastoute]

The version I read has Him saying He is the ONLY way. Sounds kind of “selective” to me. He said, “narrow is the gate and few...” Sounds like He will be turning many away “on that day”. I don’t know which version “the Rev.” is reading. Sounds to me like one he made up his own self. No thanks, I will stick with mine. I read the last bit.

[muawiyah]

The Rev. pulled that “version” out of the same place he pulled his pet gerbil.

[cripplecreek]

Interesting. I was watching a documentary about Jim Jones and the people’s temple today. Social justice and change were common themes of his rambling “sermons”.

[A_perfect_lady]

"Jesus never turned anyone away. Neither do we," the Rev. Mitchell said.

Actually, he did once. Well, at first. If I remember correctly, a woman came to him and said her daughter was dying, and would he help. And he turned her away at first, saying he was only here for the lost lambs of God (usually interpreted as Jews; she wasn't Jewish- IIRC). She persisted, saying "Even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table" (or something like that) and he was moved and told her, "Go home, your daughter is healed."

Of course, we're never told what she actually found when she got home, but the point being, yes he did turn someone away. She won him over by being humble, though, not by screaming Si Se Puede!!! in his face.

[patlin]

Yah’shua HaMashiach never promoted lawlessness!

As it always has been...it always will about body count, whether for political party purposes or religious congregational purposes...

The law & the Constitution be damned!

...and these men have the audacity to call themselves servants of Elohim.

[goat granny]

Social justice, code word for take from the working man and give to the lazy and illegals...Any jerk can call themselves a reverend or faith group...like, oh lets see, the Reverend Sharpten sp/, Reverend Jackson, and those on TV charlatans, or naacp, southern poverty law center.

The funny line is, in God's eye no one is illegal. I think there are some He has said will not enter his kingdom, if its good enough for God to keep some out, so can the USA. ILLEGAL IS A WORD TO YELL..

[SamuraiScot]

"Jesus never turned anyone away. Neither do we," the Rev. Mitchell said.

Say, Rev., kin I stay at your house and use the truck Saturday night? Without asking?

[Flag_This]

"the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber." John 10:1

[rovenstinez]

I wonder if Rev. Mitchell would just live his door open to every homeless, stranger, drifter and thief that wanted to come in. Sounds like he is a hypocrite, and there are many of those in churches. I bet he sleeps in a house with a lock, but he doesn’t want the nation to lock it’s doors. Double standard.

[cripplecreek]

Social justice, code word for take from the working man and give to the lazy and illegals

To make matters worse, they encourage it by promising collective salvation. Unfortunately, God doesn't look at our neighbor and save me because I'm near by. God looks at individual souls.

Not Catholic but I wholeheartedly agree with the Pope when he suggested that collective salvation was demonically inspired.

[Nuocmam]

What happened to “Render onto Caesar those things that are Caesar’s, render onto God the things that are God’s.”? Seems to me that Jesus has said that there are both laws of God and civil laws both of which must be obeyed. NOw if a civil law conflicts with God’s law then God’s law is primary. However, civil law say that there is a method of immigrating in a legal manner. This doesn’t violate God’s law. God’s law would say treat him kindly, it doesn’t say “Don’t ship him home!”

[goat granny]

Render onto Caesar can be construed to always obey Caesar but it is not that at all...A coin was given and Caesars picture was on it, therefore it belongs to Caesar.

Civil law should never super cede Gods law. Thats why we don't vote democrat...their total platform is anti-10 commandants...All of them..murder the unborn, covet your neighbors goods, wife and servants, keep God out of the public square, steal from the people to give to your friends, what commandment do the democrat party obey.....

As one reads scripture, we also get pictures in our heads of the scene we are reading about...I get the picture in my head of the Caesar moment as some smart alec trying to trip up Jesus...He looked the guy in the eye and said who's picture is on that coin, the answer Caesars, in slight disgust the questioner was told to give it to Caesar as it had his picture it.....I just don't see it as a rule that we must all obey the government...we have no Caesar's.

[wastoute]

He told them “if you had the faith of a ssed of mustard you could make that mountain go away to the bottom of the sea.” Days later he took them to a place where they could see the Herodian in the distance. Hmmm....

[TheBattman]

I have asked many who are those who adhere to the whole “Social Justice”/Social Gospel - where that concept comes from and none can give a Biblical answer. IN fact, they completely reject and dismiss the Bible itself:

Deuteronomy 15:11 CLEARLY states that there will ALWAYS be poor people in the land. Now yes - God’s people are commanded to help poor people. Some like to say that all were suppose to be equal - with equal opportunities based on the 7 year cycle of erasing debt... but this command was to nation Israel - and FOR their brethren. It didn’t say you had to give away the farm to those who come in with the purpose of leeching who were from other nations (the heathen).

But correct application of scripture is often not a strong point or concern for those “Christians” who say that those Old Testament verses translate directly to the government. Remember - the command was to individuals as well.

[goat granny]

Toby Keith has a great song called If I was Jesus...catch it on utube if you can Ilove the song...

[danielmryan]

What happened to “Render onto Caesar those things that are Caesar’s, render onto God the things that are God’s.”?

That's what I was wondering. Last time I checked, a prelate who wanted the laws of the land to be squared off with God's law is a theocrat at heart.

[bcsco]

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[stephenjohnbanker]

” The intersection of faith communities and undocumented immigrants boils down to a basic Christian tenet, said the Rev. Steven R. Mitchell of the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Rock Springs, Wyo.

“Jesus never turned anyone away. Neither do we,” the Rev. Mitchell said. “

Yes he did.

If one enters the henhouse the wrong way, without permission, one is a THIEF