The desire to be among others who exhibit similar characteristics seems to be an intrinsic human desire which culminates in the exclusion of others. Historically humanity has drawn many lines which testify to this need to identify some as “us” and some as “them.” Some have even used religious ideas, such as Manifest Destiny, to promulgate and justify the oppression and subjugation of those considered others. Although many continue to use scripture to exclude and draw distinctions between humanity, hospitality and acceptance of the stranger are virtues that are well documented in the Bible. Somehow it seems that this fact has failed to inform the current immigration debate.
The current immigration debate is not an inconsequential dispute free from social ramifications. Both inclusionist and retrictionist have valid points and concerns regarding the contribution and burden that immigrants have historically placed on American society. We live in a different world than that of the early immigrant who sought the opportunities that an ever expanding American western frontier offered. It seems difficult to argue a restrictionist point of view without exhibiting some sort of racism or prejudice, but I believe it is impossible to argue that immigrants do not tax the American culture with some form of strain to its financial and cultural security. Although this threat and strain is often accentuated by proponents of stricter rules regard immigration, the positive contributions of immigrants are frequently overlooked.
Although scripture relates a God who has mercy on the “alien,” it also denotes a God who ordered the ethnic cleansing of the Promised Land in order to avoid the influence of a divergent people. Can scripture be used to justify hospitality and acceptance of the “alien?” Does mercy supersede adherence to the rule of law? The ministry of Jesus Christ exhibited the intent to redefine or further inform the original meaning of the law. The church continues to struggle with emulating Jesus’ teachings to cross cultural barriers and break with the norms associated with hospitality. The church also continues to struggle with his declaration that he “did not come to do away with the law but to fulfill it.”
How we interpret the Bible is intricately dependant on our own experience and social location. Those in power always seem to overlook passages that point to mercy. Those in more precarious social situations tend to look to passages that offer mercy and hope. If scripture is read through the lens of an immigrant experience there is no doubt that faith calls us to welcome the stranger. If we are to hold immigrants accountable to the laws governing our border we must hold ourselves accountable to humanitarian laws and the ethical dilemmas that our economic ventures in Latin America have caused.
Bendiciones,
Joel M. Saucedo
It's refreshing to read your words, because the American way lately seems to be all about drawing our debates into polarizing sides. You are either with us or against us. With that mentality, it's hard to have a meaningful conversation.
Jesus didn't seem to buy into that - he seemed to skirt the edges of all the groups that we were supposed to be with or against it. He ate with the "good guys" and the "bad guys". And yet he called everyone to something greater - he sought to complete or make whole what was broken.
What would that look like if people of faith and others could see immigration reform (or really any hot button issue) as an opportunity to be called to greater things? How can we infuse hospitality with immigration reform, even as we logically craft necessary laws about boundaries and process? How do we accept that our laws have wider implications beyond just our own little cities or states? Who are our neighbors?
Tough questions - but I like that you are asking them in a way that keeps us connected to the whole argument. We need more spaces to do just that.
This little bit says so much Nathan. We all need to hear the very questions and ideas you propose. I feel so refreshed to have these nonpolarizing, religiously central thoughts driving your conversation. Thank you both. I hope this dialogue continues.
Nick
Hey, I really like that picture. Where are you? What are you doing?
It looks totally awesome whatever it is.
Nick
p.s. Thanks for posting. I hope this gets tons of responses! Some people need to be slapped for not participating enough. (Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Okay! I get the idea. Owwwwww....)