For years I have taken up this issue with some of our interim pastors (previous church located overseas). They constantly tried to tell me how unChristian I was and that my own family was made up of immigrants, which they were, back in the late 1180s. However, they immigrated here legally and with documentation. Both my sons have married women from S. America. They are becoming citizens, one has her ceremony this coming Tuesday!
That said, I always stated that we have always been a nation of laws, and those who cross illegally are breaking those laws. In my opinion, especially knowing the high cost those illegals pay to coyotes to bring them over, they should go back to the border and request whatever paperwork needed to begin a legal application. They ALWAYS gave me he Good Samaritan story and the verse about how to treat the stranger among you, but both are taken out of context. And these are pastors, mind you! I also asked them about the lawlessness, murdering of border property owners, looting of their property, killing of their cattle and other animals, etc. It is all lawlessness. They said that it was unfortunate, but that these people probably provoked them.
People believe the set of facts that conveniently fit their ideology, or their social beliefs. It was so frustrating I could hardly stand it. I know they talked to others at the church about my being unloving, etc. I have done many mission trips, work with the poor, etc. They have NO IDEA. But in their minds, a true Christian cannot turn away an illegal without hurting God. There is this perceived Christian behavior that looks on the downtrodden and believe that they can do no wrong. Anyone who argues with them is wrong. I have compassion for the downtrodden, as well. But how do they get 6-10K to pay a coyote to cross over illegally? It doesn’t cost that much to file paperwork to come legally. They want to come over and not be beholden to our tax laws, to earn money to send back to wherever and to take advantage of our system of welfare, but not have to pay into it. I’m a very giving person, but this is lawlessness. PERIOD!
WELL put, Shery!