National Association of Evangelicals Provides Moral Model on Immigration Reform

After nearly two years of collective scripture study, discernment, and dialogue, on Oct. 8 the National Association of Evangelicals spoke publicly for the first time in support of immigration reform. The resolution passed with no dissent from the 40 denominations that comprise the NAE. This is a monumental step, and I commend NAE president Leith Anderson for his boldness in taking this issue to the leaders of the NAE and to leaders in Congress.

You know the wind has shifted in Congress when moderate and conservative evangelical leaders testify before the U.S. Senate in support of an earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Such a hearing would not have taken place in the climate of the last legislative debate. I believe the NAE statement reflects a different tone in Washington and in the U.S. with respect to immigration reform. Church leaders who have been personally and privately supportive of immigrants and their struggles have now publicly declared that it is morally wrong to keep families apart, and that it is morally right to fix the broken system so that immigrants are treated with respect and mercy.

I encourage you to read the NAE statement, especially the biblical foundations portion, which calls us to remember "the Bible does not offer a blueprint for modern legislation, but it can serve as a moral compass and shape the attitudes of those who believe in God." The NAE has set a model before us to take seriously the call of scripture and to act prophetically when it comes to pressing moral issues.

Jim Wallis is the author of The Great Awakening, Editor-in-Chief of Sojourners and blogs at www.godspolitics.com.

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Comments

[Norski]

Only 11 of the 40 NAE members have actually come out in support of this resolution. The rest are ignoring it or refusing to recognize it, including the largest organization with 20% of the total NAE membership. Most of those who voted for the resolution have been shown to not reflect the views of those they represent but in good old Christian fashion those votes are being ignored rather than repudiated. Meanwhile, President Anderson who represents ONE church in Minnesota glories in his recognition. This is another perfect example of a few activists hijacking an assembly.

A CNN Poll released today says that 73% of Americans want to see the number of Illegal Immigrants in the USA reduced. With 60% wanting the number of Illegal Immigrants reduced either significantly or completely to zero.

I admire the abilities of the person who wrote this opinion piece to so completely spin this into such a pro Illegal Immigration accomplishment while ignoring the realities of what is really happening.

[deezus]

It may be morally wrong to keep families apart, but it is equally morally wrong to break immigration laws.

[nee]

ILLEGAL ALIENS should be sent home and those who hire them should be heavily fined. ILLEGALS don't need a path to citizenship they need a path that takes them back to their own countries. We spend BILLION on people who don't belong here. We need to use this money on our own citizens.

[JEP57]

If it's morally wrong to keep families of illegal immigrants separated, maybe they should have thought of that before they came across the border illegally. It's like someone commiting a crime and going to jail, then saying it's immoral to keep that person separated from their family. It kind of goes with the territory. Illegal aliens being deported can always bring their families back with them so there's no separation.

[conscioushope]

JEP~

Your compassion is underwhelming, as well as your awareness of the complex issues involved.

[belly dancer]

Is your problem with Mexicans?...their are 50,000 Illegal Irish immigrants in this country as well as many other illegal Euro's..you might not really be that upset at Illegals...you might just be a bigot who doesn't like Mexicans

[NYCLatinaLiberal]

These figures illustrate some other members of the illegal immigrant population in the United States, according to the Census Bureau estimate and INS estimate for 2000:

Canada 156,231
France 36,477
Germany 113,327
Greece 15,507
Italy 62,456
Netherlands 17,885
Poland 92,684
USSR 344,877
UK 123,246
Yugoslavia 110,280
Australia 16,777
Total: 1,089,747

When you, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Tom Tancredo and others concerned with illegal immigration include all of the illegals not entering over the US/Mexican border in your calls for ending illegal immigration, THEN you are concerned with American interests, and not merely racists hateful of Latinos.

[isjois]

For too long "people of faith" have advocated social policies that aren't based on scripture. The Bible speaks frequently about "aliens"; however, many Christians have been silent or spoken inapporpriately about the issue of immigration. It's nice to see that some religious leaders are really starting to discuss this matter and put forth more thoughtful views.

We need more Christians to speak out about social issues in our country - from a scriptural standpoint. For too long, American Christians have confused scripture with popular conservative talking points. They are not the same - not even close! Our pastors need to point this out.

[Norski]

How can you claim Christians have "spoken inappropriately about the issue of immigration"? Do Posters come with labels? Why cannot those who oppose Illegal Immigration "put forth more thoughtful views"?

The Bible says: "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart".

Yet you contend those who engage in law-breaking behavior including Illegal Entry, Illegal Presence, Identity Fraud, Identity Theft, coveting a neighbor’s property, and bearing false witness can lead to good law abiding behavior. Does the bad tree now produce good fruit?

[isjois]

I'm shocked that the moderator allowed scripture to be quoted directly. I tried to do that earlier - on a different article - and my comment was dropped.

Anyways - it seems that people of faith today all read their Bible a little differently. Some seem to have their morality defined by conservative news and talking points - rather than the good book.

Read the parable about the goats and sheep. At the end of this life, will we give an accounting for our lives. Will we be able to get away with saying - "But breaking up families was the right thing to do because they were in my country illegally. I did nothing wrong in fighting for stronger immigration laws."? Is that what scripture encourages - punishing families for making bad choices?

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Sin is not ranked. It is all evil. Yours too.

The New Testament tells us to "love". How does a Christian reconcile their faith with our immigration policy? I'll pull out my log - will you pull out yours?

[Arlene M. Roberts - Huffpost Blogger]

I wholeheartedly agree with you that it is morally wrong to keep families apart. This phenomenon is all too familiar in the Caribbean immigrant community, where deportation of heads of household now results in parents being repatriated and their U.S. citizen children being left behind. Recently I released my report on the forced repatriation of immigrants from the English-speaking Caribbean. For full text, visit http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/the_faces_of_detention_and_deportation.pdf

[nee]

It is morally wrong to enter a country ILLEGAL and sponge off its citzens.

[belly dancer]

There are 50,000 illegal Irish immigrants in the USA..as well as many others...go get them champ...