I am disturbed
by otherwise-decent people who are all too willing to cast hate and aspersions
at non-U.S. citizens who got here without proper paperwork, or who still want
to come here. The Guatemalan
refugees standing at the U.S. border facing armed guards and private citizens
animated by xenophobic ragea re human beings trying to improve their own lives,
and that of their children. They are
worthy of compassion and respect. They
have not had the advantages most U.S. citizens have. Does all that make them worthy of scorn,
derision, or anger?
That would-be
immigrant is the same as you who were lucky enough to be born here. The only difference is the government that
was in charge when and where you happened to be born.
I do not say we
should open the border crossings and stand back. Reasonable safeguards are prudent. But
it can be done with reason, respect, and compassion. If you believe you are somehow better, more
deserving than the would-be immigrant, then you are awash in arrogance.
I am
particularly disturbed by those who rant about the despicable illegals while
proclaiming Judeo-Christian ideals. I’d
like to know - How do you rationalize anti-immigrant wrath with this?
“When a stranger sojourns with you
in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who
sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.”
(Leviticus 19:33-34)
Or for those of you who prefer it
straight from the mouth of the Messiah:
“The righteous will answer him,
saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you… And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say
to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to
me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40)
Gryphem
