http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/ma ... 79ae7.htmlWhat would Jesus do about illegal immigration? Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
Heaven is such a wonderful place that people are dying to get in. But there are no open borders in heaven. Although all are invited, not all will enter. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1)
The Christian God is a God of law and order. He gave us the 10 Commandments and placed governments in authority over us. If an illegal alien has to lie, cheat, covet and steal things that rightfully belong to his neighbor, he cannot say he is obeying either God's laws or man's. What kind of religious leader supports and excuses such unlawful behavior and calls it "compassionate?" That kind of religious leader is regularly hailed by this newspaper for supporting illegal actions.
WWJD? Would he solve this problem by changing the laws so that this criminal behavior is no longer a crime? No. Perhaps we should do what Jesus did when he stopped the mob from stoning the adulterous woman to death. He showed true compassion by sparing her life and telling her to comply with the law when he sent her away saying, "Go now and sin no more." (John 8:11)
- Cheree Calabro, Valparaisohttp://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/ma ... 84f6a.html Good pastor would tell illegal immigrants, 'Go, sin no more'Posted: Saturday, June 26, 2010 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
I'd like to thank Elizabeth Vega and Tania J. Higareda for their replies to my letter "What Would Jesus Do About Illegal Immigration?" But my letter was directed at the religious leaders who use illegal immigrants as their willing pawns.
Those leaders use Scripture to say we must welcome the stranger no matter who gets hurt in the process. Welcoming the illegal immigrant should be compatible with the rest of Scripture and not in conflict with the Commandments.
You don't have to be a Christian, let alone a theologian, to understand that it's just plain wrong to rob your neighbor, Peter, in order to welcome the stranger, Paul.
Religious leaders who espouse social justice elevate illegal aliens to near sainthood because many are poor. But Leviticus 19:15 says "'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.'"
I don't want to hurt illegal immigrants, and I cannot judge whether anyone is going to hell, but it's pretty obvious when they're breaking Commandments not to lie, steal, deceive, covet or defraud their neighbors.
Wouldn't a good pastor appeal to illegal aliens to "Go and sin no more"? Wouldn't a good pastor be able to figure out how to obey the laws and help poor illegal immigrants at the same time?
- Cheree Calabro, Valparaiso*
Tania J. Higareda’s reply to my WWJD letter:
Immigration is a social issue, not a legal issue May 31, 2010 | 12:00 am | (39) Comments
What would Jesus do about immigration?
The Jesus I learned about in my Catholic education was compassionate to those less fortunate. Certainly, Jesus would side with the hungry, poor and thirsty immigrant over someone who demonized this individual by calling him a sinner.
Does letter writer Cheree Calabro have the authority to know what defines a sin? She is small-minded to even speak of these things. Calabro says there are no open borders in heaven. Is every immigrant who pillaged their way here going to hell because they illegally seized lands?
Respect all life and open your eyes to reality.Immigration is a social issue, not a legal issue. Immigration occurs all over the world where people are used and abused for their labor. What would Jesus say about that? Educate yourself on social issues. They are not black and white.
There was a time where it was illegal for blacks and whites to sit together.
Often, in a system like ours, there exists a brutal market for cheap labor. If you cared what Jesus thought, you would look at the facts and not judge people.
- Tania J. Higareda, Portage*
Elizabeth Vega’s letter:
Next time, please tell the whole story on 'sin no more' May 28, 2010 | 12:00 am | (19) Comments
I would like to respond to Cheree Calabro's letter. While using a Bible passage to prove a point, Calabro sadly left out a huge part of the story. Yes, Jesus told the adulterous woman to "go, and sin no more." What is left out is key here: Jesus told the group holding stones that whoever is without sin, let him to be the first to throw.
If you apply this passage to illegal immigration, who are those holding the stones? Those of us who patronize restaurants -- after church -- that hire illegal immigrants and who buy cheap fruit picked by illegal immigrants. They are the inept congresspeople who know there is a serious problem, but cannot move because they fear losing votes.
They refuse to move on either side's behalf; those who would like a real path to true citizenship (and are not drug smugglers and thugs) and those who want the borders more secure. Let's not forget the business owners, too.
Finally, one by one, those holding the stones began to drop them on the ground and walk away. Jesus asked the woman, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?" The woman said "no". "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and sin no more." Next time, please tell the whole story.
- Elizabeth Vega, Schererville