Posted on 10/18/2009 7:30:22 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
LONDON – The head of the World Council of Churches has called upon Christians to live out the core message in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan and treat others as their neighbors.
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia was speaking at the opening of the WCC’s conference on the response of churches to racism and other forms of discrimination and exclusion.
Pointing to the unprecedented gains of anti-immigration parties in the recent European Parliament election, Kobia warned that racism was “still alive” in the world.
He urged some 50 church leaders and theologians convening in Utrecht, in the Netherlands, to learn from the biblical concept of hospitality demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan which, he said, challenged Christians to enter into "a form of intimacy with strangers and the unknown."
While the Samaritan had no obligation to help the Jew, his sworn enemy, he “acted contrary to the universal expectations and against his own cultural history and community interest,” said Kobia.
“He showed mercy in spite of it all,” he added. “The Good Samaritan showed mercy when he could have exacted rough justice.”
The conference, which ends Wednesday, marks the 40th anniversary of the WCC’s Combat Racism campaign to assist the victims of racial discrimination in different parts of the world, most prominently in South Africa under the apartheid regime.
Kobia said Christians needed to embrace people of different races and faiths.
“Christ calls us to be neighbors of immigrants, of oppressed minorities within our own nations, of all who are in need of a neighbor,” he said. “Christ calls us to be neighbors of people of other races who come to be a part of our community.
“Christ calls us to be neighbors of people of other faiths who become part of a society where Christianity is the majority.”
Kobia concluded with an appeal to Christians to oppose all systems, structures, and policies that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion.
“We are called to reiterate our clear position that racism is a sin against God who determines the color and race of all those God creates.”
The conference, which Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is joining, is expected to draw up strategies and networks to advocate against racism within society and the church.
The World Council of Churches. One of biggest leftist groups in the world masquerading as Christians.
Immigrants should be expected to obey the laws of European society, not given free reign to ravage underage brides and commit honor killings with impunity.
The polices they advocate will result in the total demise of the Christian church in Europe in time. Muslims are not tolerant of other faiths in their “neighborhood”
Rough justice?? What the heck is this turd world idiot gibbering about? Man oh man.
“We are called to reiterate our clear position that racism is a sin against God who determines the color and race of all those God creates.”
What a bunch of worthless morons. If this was about race, we wouldn’t care when they murder their own children.
I don't understand the mindset. Do they really think that these people are going to convert to Christianity? This is like our politicians that somehow think that giving illegal invaders amnesty will all of a sudden make them good Americans. Stupidity is running rampant in the leadership of many organizations.
He couldn’t be bothered to read the Bible so he made up a story where a Samaritan lets an unrepentant murderer walk freely in his house.
“to live out the core message in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan and treat others as their neighbors.”
Then why dont they start by not attacking and smearing people just because they disagree with them.
LEGAL IMMIGRANTS are welcome.
Doesn't The Bible require one to obey laws...HMMMM?.....
.....This is like the lefty mantra "What would Jesus drive?" It is a nonsense question and/or statement.
Neighbors? Sure. They have their lot right next to mine and I’ll be very nice to them. As a matter of fact, let’s give them a huge lot. A lot where they can have full citizenship. A lot where they can speak their own language. A lot where they can have their own culture. A lot where they can have their own government.
Let’s call thesd lots, “Mexico” and “Canada”. Howdy neighbor.
If they need an organization....
Christ called on us to be good neighbors. You stay on your side of the border and we’ll stay on ours. The Good Samaritan did not help someone who had entered the country illegally. And we DO help those who are here illegally. Free medical care for all!
They loved Soviet Communism and now they love Islamofascism with it’s intolerance of every religion and any tolerance. How Christlike— not!
I treat everyone like my neighbor.
Don’t steal from me, don’t trespass and don’t make threats and I promise to follow the same rules. Break them and we are no longer neighbors, we are enemies.
Everyone gets along fine unless they break the rules, kinda like illegal alien criminals.
I don’t know about anyone else, but my neighbors don’t move into my house unwelcome and uninvited. Around here we call them “criminals”....
hh
Ok help them and then send them home...
Sometimes being a good neighbor means just saying no.
Just more leftist Bible-twisting for political advantage, that’s all.
When they move into your home - uninvited- they cease to be "neighbors" they become squatters.
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