Volume X, Issue XIIIb:
THE ALIEN AMONG YOU
In the late 1970's my mother went back to school. To put it more clearly, she became a physics instructor at the local community college. In 1979 she made a friend. He was one of her lab students, a young man from Iran and as the radical clerics took control and our ambassadors were taken hostage, a young man who had embraced the American lifestyle now feared for his life.
Mom assured him that he was known by his friends on campus for who he was. He was not to be confused with those who had taken over his country, and indeed her friendship, as well as that of his classmates, saw him through.
Mom was living out the message of Leviticus 19:34: "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Today you are likely to hear that verse, along with Leviticus 19:33, 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 10, 18-19 and Ezekiel 16:49 given as reasons that we must take in Syrian refugees. Those who quote these scriptures miss a key point: These scriptures refer to those aliens who choose to live among the Chosen people, or who have been brought there in servitude. They are NOT, as some would suggest, an admonition to create open borders. [1.]
THE INVADER AT THE GATE
In no way does the Scripture suggest that this compassion means we tear down the walls protecting the city. In fact, an honest study of Scripture puts a high priority on providing for our own households (and yes, that would extend to PROTECTING them)! 1 Timothy 5:8 says: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” I speak now to the more pacifist members of my own Faith community. When soldiers came to Jesus asking what He required of them... these were Roman soldiers, mind you... He said simply: "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." -- Luke 3:14 He did NOT tell them to quit the service. Indeed, He alludes to their service being worthy if they go about it honestly.
Europe already suffers from the unmentionable crimes committed by some of their 'refugees' and although it is not politically correct to say so, it is the Truth that Shariah Law is not compatible with our Constitutional form of government. Compassion says that we should send aid and supplies to these refugees as they sojurn in lands that are more compatible with their ways. We are not 'evil' for doing it this way, just prudent.
Liberal defenders of mass Syrian immigration are quick to point out the mistake our country made by not granting asylum to Jews in the 1930's. True, this is a terrible sin of our nation... but they need not look back so far. Iraq's Christian communities, some of the oldest in the world, were being wiped out by radical Islamic militants in very recent times and to date there has been precious little help extended to them by our government. In fact, few Christians have been granted asylum as the Administration opens the floodgates for Islamic refugees.
Defenders of this policy are quick to scold anyone seeking to define the difference, decrying a 'religious litmus test,' but remember two things: First, it IS appropriate to ask if a refugee seeking to come here intends to live in a way that is compatible with our Constitutional Republic. There is no evil in seeking harmony. Second, denying entry into the United States does NOT mean that there is no mandate to provide assistance. We can do it as they are housed in tent cities that ALREADY EXIST in nations that they should be more comfortable in.