Scott Freeman

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Archive for category Immigration

I Had a Blog Post Today…

Jun 7

Posted by Scott in Immigration, Jesus, Loving People, Politics, Scandal, Social Conscience | 21 Comments

…but I deleted it.

Therefore, I will not blog today.

I was going to blog about the anger I feel about the injustice, hatred and mean-spiritedness I witness all too often in the world today.

But, I removed it, because it seemed too angry and mean-spirited on my part.

So, I’ll just keep quiet and lay low. I’ll remain quiet out of the fear of offending. I’ll still my voice in order to avoid stirring the waters of public debate and frustration.

Nope, no blogging today.

I’m probably wrong anyway.

  • I’m probably wrong to care less about the USA than I do the Kingdom of God.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that war is wrong and violence is never the answer.
  • I’m probably wrong to view children of Iraqi’s to be as precious as my own.
  • I’m probably wrong to want my children to go to public school (even though I support Private education and have benefited from it) so they can learn at an early age to be salt and light.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that laws are often misguided and the health of a nation depends upon dissent against civil rights abuses. Maybe Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr shouldn’t be heroes of mine.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that it means something that the one time Jesus talked about judgment He did so in regards to how we treat the poor and the forgotten.
  • I’m probably wrong to interpret grace into Old Testament laws of dealing with sojourners and aliens.
  • I’m probably wrong to worry about genocide and AIDS in other lands when there is so much here to be concerned about like Brangelina’s baby.
  • I’m probably wrong to want to love more than I judge.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that hatred runs deep into the fabric of American society–against gays, illegal immigrants, the French, Democrats, Republicans, minorities, or whatever group catches our ire at this particular point in time.
  • I’m probably wrong about worrying about having too much “stuff.” I should just suck it up and buy a new car since the one I’m driving doesn’t have air conditioning in this Texas heat.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that the words of Jesus should propel us to make peace, love enemies, and deny self.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that political parties cannot be champions of the Kingdom due to differing agendas.
  • I’m probably wrong to feel so discontent with the state of the church’s compassion, love and humanity for the lost, disaffected, poor and foreigner.
  • I’m probably wrong to feel so much regret for all the times I’ve harbored hatred, hurled ethnic slurs, branded sinful people with vitriolic names, and supported agendas that suited me at the expense of others.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that being stewards of God’s creation means care for the creation and not just domination of it.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe the greatest terrorist threat is not one of flesh and blood.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that it is a travesty that so many cannot afford insurance.
  • I’m probably wrong to believe that liberals can be Christians despite what some might say.

So, instead of blogging today, I’ll just keep my mouth shut.  I’ll not unburden my heart.

Cause, I’m probably wrong.

Although I sure don’t feel like I am.

In fact, I feel like I’m getting closer to the heart of Jesus.

And I really pray I’m not wrong about that.

Let There Be No Distinction

Apr 6

Posted by Scott in Immigration, Jesus, Loving People, Politics | 14 Comments

In the early days of the Christian church, believers in the Messiah were predominantly Jews.  The conversion of Cornelius at the leading of Peter, and Paul’s subsequent call to minister to the Gentiles sent shock-waves through this nascent movement.

Debates broke out about the wisdom and appropriateness of sharing this truth with “unclean” people.  Regardless of position, it was clear that the Gentiles wanted the liberation and freedom that the message of the Christ offered.

So, the debate transitioned to demands that would be made of these converts.  Some proclaimed that only through circumcision could Gentile believers be saved.  In addition, they had to keep the Torah laws to ensure their adherence to the Jewish way of life.

Peter spoke through all of that.  He said, “God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.”

God, through His infinite grace and mercy, embraced the Gentile believer.  He did not place unnecessary restrictions upon them.  He accepted them as they were.

Why, if God could be so graceful in His encompassing believers into His kingdom, do we so often insist that immigrants be homogenized?

I hear all the time people make statements about how immigrants to our country must assimilate to our way of life, learn our language, and accept our customs and mores.

If God did not require that of newcomers to His kingdom, why would we require that of ours?

Immigration is the hot topic these days across America.  I believe there is a solution to the problem.  And, of course, illegal immigration is a problem.  Criminalizing people, including religious leaders offering aid, is not a solution.

John McCain and Edward Kennedy have proposed a bill that would combine a guest-worker program with provisions allowing illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship after paying fines and back taxes, undergoing criminal background checks and learning English.

Although, I don’t feel that learning English is necessary, this bill is a step in the right direction.   Immigrants are, above all, precious children of God.  They are aliens and strangers in a world that is often hostile to them.  We can curb illegal immigration while still be open and receptive to those that are looking for hope in this country.

We can “protect our borders” and curb illegal immigration without unnecessarily ostracizing and criminalizing people who desire freedom.  No need for circumcision.  Let there be no distinction.