Being a student of the bible, I have studied the forbearance toward aliens passages in the bible, and especially in light of the fact that Christians are “strangers (aliens) and pilgrims in this land” who are seeking a better city. I would hope for that forebearance toward the Churches that the Bible recommends toward aliens in the Old Testament. Jesus, himself, is the offspring of those who were aliens and that whether one discusses the march toward the promised land under Moses or one deals with the life story of Ruth. In many lands today, Christians are severely persecuted and their only security is found in fleeing those regimes.
Therefore, it is instructive to contemplate the biblical passages on aliens in foreign lands. It is not an easy subject and the dividing line between forebearance and strict adherence to law is a matter that CAN be up in the air for some folks. For the bishops to come down in a more lenient place is not necessarily a political decision on their part. It might well be a theological concern on their part that is heartfelt and sincere. To the extent that sincerity drives their position, I’m willing to be lenient toward the bishops.
Sincerity, of course, doesn’t make them biblically right. As you or someone else has pointed out on this thread, there is a point at which continual, knowing violation of law ceases to be anything more than willful, harmful, intentional illegality.
I do believe in kindness toward illegal immigrants who are not violent or destructive, who are simply seeking a better life. As Hannity always points out, who can blame them for seeing that this is a better country.
So, whatever plan we decide on for dealing with aliens, I do hope that it is considerate in terms of treatment. As a former supporter of both Perry and Gingrich, I do believe there are ways of dealing with people that are not mean-spirited or insensitive.
Is allowing someone to live off our social services “collectivism”? At one level, social services themselves are collectivist, so there is the necessity to admit that this nation already has a collectivist streak. I think for ill, because I believe it destroys individual initiative and weakens the nation.
So, to the extent that illegals consume resources without putting anything in to help pay their way, then they are unjustly feeding off of our collectivist streak. But, I’d say the same about a welfare deadbeat, too.
I’ve long wondered if it isn’t a far better policy to limit the vote to those who pay property tax either as a direct property owner or as a portion of a rental payment.
"Kindness" with your own resources is charity. "Kindness" with resources that have been taken by force from others is tyranny and corruption.
Is allowing someone to live off our social services “collectivism”? At one level, social services themselves are collectivist, so there is the necessity to admit that this nation already has a collectivist streak. I think for ill, because I believe it destroys individual initiative and weakens the nation.
There is collectivism woven all through our government at every level, and this is precisely what has us hurtling toward the cliff of fiscal collapse. I think that we will only be able to save ourselves from tyranny and impoverishment if we turn away from collectivism and seek to reduce or eliminate it everywhere. This is a project that necessarily will never end.