Posted on 03/24/2006 11:55:00 AM PST by pulaskibush
What Christians should do regarding illegal immigration has been an ongoing debate for a long time. Recently, Christianity was entered into the debate over immigration bills being worked on in the US Congress by Senator Hillary Clinton. Hillary basically advanced the argument that opposing illegal immigration is "un-Christian" and claimed that such enforcement would be the same as making the Good Samaritan and Jesus criminals. Missing from Hillary's comments were quotes from the Bible. While immigration from Mexico is of course not mentioned, there are issues that illegal immigration bring up that are mentioned in the Bible.
Romans 13:5-8 5Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience. 6For this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service. 7Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due. 8Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one's fellowmen, meeting all its requirements].
Matthew 17:24-27 24When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half shekel [the temple tax] went up to Peter and said, Does not your Teacher pay the half shekel?(C) 25He answered, Yes. And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him [about it] first, saying, what do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or tribute--from their own sons or from others [k]not of their own family? 26And when Peter said, from other people [l]not of their own family, Jesus said to him, then the sons are exempt. 27However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them [m]to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for me and for yourself.
Luke 10:33-35
33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
US citizens are required to pay sales and income tax. Many illegals only pay sales tax and are hired by businesses for the purpose of paying their share of the taxes. US Taxpayer money is supposed to pay for government services to US Citizens. Instead, millions of taxpayer dollars go to people who should not even be in the country. Hillary used the Sunday school story character The Good Samaritan in her statement about Christians and illegals. Hillary, along with many illegal immigrant advocates fails to realize that the Samaritan did not use someone else’s money to take care of the robbery victim, but his own.
Luke 1: 1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
Acts 22:25-29
25As they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't even been tried?"26The officer went to the commander and asked, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!" 27So the commander went over and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I certainly am," Paul replied. 28"I am, too," the commander muttered, "and it cost me plenty!" "But I am a citizen by birth!" 29The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.
Even the right to live in heaven is described as "citizenship" Ephesians 2-19 19So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.
Being an illegal immigrant is just becoming better than being Citizen of the United States of America. In some states, such as Kansas, illegals can get in-state tuition for college that is not available to US citizens going to another state. There are also several taxpayer funded programs that are available to illegals that are not available to US Citizens. Citizenship is supposed to be a great honor. Legal immigrants work hard to learn English and study our constitution to become US Citizens. Many legal immigrants risk death by joining the military in order to become citizens. The illegal immigrant agenda wants to cheat this honor with backdoor deals and amnesties.
1 Samuel 8:3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.
Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
Acts 24:26 24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Daniel 6:4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
Matthew 23:1-4 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Luke 2:46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
While pro-illegal immigrant Christians claim to help illegal immigrants, they do nothing to stop the cause of the suffering; corruption. The Mexican Government is well known for its corruption and negligence toward its people. When the Negligent Narco Regime of Mexico ignored hundreds of murders in Juarez, we heard virtually nothing from these Christian organizations that claim to help hispanics. Nor do we hear any demand that the Mexican Government pay for housing, healthcare, education, and other necessities that the Mexican government is supposed to provide Mexicans. That burden has been put upon the American taxpayer thanks to Hispanic activist groups such as the lawyers of MALDEF. These Christian organizations could also put pressure on corrupt businesses such as Tyson Foods to stop hiring illegals and breaking US law, instead they help corrupt businesses by helping the trafficking of illegals. Helping illegal immigration also helps the human/drug trafficing business, which enslaves and abuses the neglected citizens of other countries. It is not Christian to be a useful idiot of evil.
Matthew 23:5-7 5"Everything they(Pharisees) do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'
John 12:3-8 3Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." Peter 4 : 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Luke 14:13 is one of the many verses that say to help the poor. However, there are other verses in the Bible that deal with many of the “bleeding heart types” that twist the act of helping the poor into their own agenda. Many people “help the poor” to make an effort to draw attention to themselves. Many in the illegal immigration agenda claim to help the poor so that they can advance the ideas of multiculturalism, “Aztlan” (the racist Hispanic succession of the Southwest from the United States), socialist equality, and similar agendas. To criticize their agenda is portrayed as being “mean” to those in poverty. There are also those who think that it’s OK to break the law if you are “helping the poor”, the Bible states otherwise.
5. Negligence
Exodus 21:28-29 28 "If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death.
2 Chronicles 29:8-11 8 Therefore, the anger of the LORD has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes. 9 This is why our fathers have fallen by the sword and why our sons and daughters and our wives are in captivity. 10 Now I intend to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger will turn away from us. 11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense."
Many of those who enter this country illegally are criminals, diseased, and even terrorist. What will be the excuse if one of the illegals being housed in a church becomes the next Denver Cop Killer? If activist help some illegals crossing the border, who turn out to have the bird flu, will the activists not be partially responsible for the negligent homicide of 1,000’s? Being Christian does not mean giving food, clothing, and shelter from the law to the next Mohammed Atta. When illegal immigrants cause harm in the US, those who help them share some of the blame.
http://www.bible.com/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1602024/posts
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040912/news_mz1e12dresse.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1602459/posts
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/surferslim/text1.html
Hillary Clinton was caught stealing furnishings from the White House. That is against the 10 Commandments. She has also given false testimony "I can't remember" under oath.
She has no ground on which to stand and be critical.
I forgot to seperate this verse.
Did the Lord Jesus Christ legally emigrate to Egypt?
When did Christ visit Egypt?
Chapter 2, verses 13 through 23 ...
Ping for later
Christ was taken to Egypt as a child when Mary and Joseph fled the murderous Herod. Joseph did not violate any law in living in Egypt.
Since he was a very young child, I don't think he had much choice.
Are you sure? What do you know of Roman residency laws?
He was God Almighy however. Do you think anything was done to Him against His will?
Egypt was a part of Rome, as was Palestine. One of the great advantages of Rome at the time of Christ, and on into the first centuries of the Church, was freedom to travel, as well as safety from pirates at sea, and bandits on the roads...due to the legions' Pax Romana.
So yes, of course it was legal for Mary, Joseph and Jesus to go to Egypt...just as it was later fully legal for Paul to journey all over the Mediterranean. Not to be rude, frankly, if you know anything about the ancient world, its a kind of silly question.
Besides, even with modern nation-states, not empires, visas, passports, and residency laws are a very new phenomena--post WWI actually. 100+ years ago if a person traveled, since it was very expensive, they were generally treated as semi-nobility...and could come and go across borders as they pleased without any papers (unless it was a time of war).
"Hillary Clinton was caught stealing furnishings from the White House. That is against the 10 Commandments. She has also given false testimony "I can't remember" under oath."
Brother, you only scratched the surface.
Don't forget her cattle futures swindle and follow-up lies. How about how she slandered the White House travel staff and tried to put an innocent man in prision. And remember how she tried to channel up from Hell the ghost of Elanor Roosevelt?
19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and told him, 20"Get up and take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead." 21So Joseph returned immediately to Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22But when he learned that the new ruler was Herod's son Archelaus, he was afraid. Then, in another dream, he was warned to go to Galilee. 23So they went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets concerning the Messiah: "He will be called a Nazarene."
I'll admit that I should have said that "it does not appear that Joseph did not violate any law while living in Egypt".
Like I said Jesus never went to Egypt, he was taken there. Jesus did not become His own man to say until the age of accountability. Me taking a baby to the store is not the same as the baby going to the store by them selves.
He was God Almighy however. Do you think anything was done to Him against His will?
I thought that Jesus did the Fathers will. Not my will but thy will be done. The will of the Father not the will of the Son.
Ummm ... Jesus was first living in the Herodian protectorate, and was there because his parents were supposed to be getting enumerated and taxed.
Besides, even with modern nation-states, not empires, visas, passports, and residency laws are a very new phenomena--post WWI actually. 100+ years ago if a person traveled, since it was very expensive, they were generally treated as semi-nobility...and could come and go across borders as they pleased without any papers (unless it was a time of war).
I don't think we treated immigrants to this country as semi-nobility. And certainly all through the Christian era of Europe, pilgrim travellers came and went as they pleased, people settled in new lands in the East, etc. This simply goes to show that restrictions on emigration and immigration are a phenomena of the modern State, and not necessarily a natural power for a government. Our Constitution, in fact, gives Congress a power to "establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization", but not a power to restrict cross-border movement or immigration. As I said, the Declaration of Independence accuses King George of attempting "to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither".
I never said immigrants were treated like semi-nobility...rather travelers, and needed no paperwork.
Herod was a vassal king under Rome. Besides most all scholars say the holy family didn't flee until months or even a couple years after Jesus birth, right after the Magi came...surely they had already registered...and were not fleeing to avoid tax. Going to Egyptian province of Rome from the Judaen province was not illegal, surely.
As to the question of whether a nation-state has a right to protect its own borders, give me a break....you've been reading too many libertarian dreams (nightmares).
When I see crowds of protestors waving Mexican flags in the USA, it tells me these people are NOT here to become American, rather are wanting America to become Mexican...not the kind of immigrants we need.
Ask him when he comes back.
I thought he just left Chicago, and was headed for New Orleans.
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.