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<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">This is really worth reading, even if you're staunchly opposed to illegal immigration. It will at least give another perspective.</span>
Column: Illegal Immigration - What would Jesus do?
10/31/2007
In the spirit of full disclosure, let me make clear that I am a Hispanic U.S. citizen who came to this country legally and believe that illegal immigration is wrong.
While I usually do not participate in politics or put my thoughts in the public arena, it breaks my heart to see local politicians in Virginia using rhetoric about illegal immigration that appeals to our basest fears and threatens to build barriers, dividing our communities.
And what makes me even sadder is that many of these politicians share my faith and my beliefs.
I am always reminded that we should not mix church and government, but next Sunday when I walk out of church to my car, I expect to find any number of fliers tucked under my windshield wipers. Candidates running for everything from commissioner and delegate to senator will be trying to win my vote by appealing to my faith and beliefs, showing me that they are also faithful servants of the Lord.
Sadly, some of them will also be firmly in the camp of those using vitriolic rhetoric on cracking down on illegal immigration.
My question to them, since they are appealing to me on the basis of faith, is simple: What would Jesus do on this issue?
Would Jesus have instructed his disciples to check for green cards before distributing the bread and fish after multiplication?
Would Jesus have asked for proper documentation from the blind, the crippled, the leper, the mute, the needy before healing or helping them?
How would Jesus interpret the parable of the good Samaritan in the light of the illegal immigrant?
Which examples would Jesus use today about the woes of the Pharisees for obeying the minutiae of the law but forgetting mercy?
Would Jesus have made cutting services to illegal immigrants a campaign issue or would He have been crying with the poor that were about to become further isolated?
And I could go on.
While illegal immigration is out of control and both parties should work to find a solution, I believe it is absolutely unnecessary to foment hate and create division in our community.
We should not lead Virginia back to the times of white robes or illegal interracial marriages, turning Hispanics into the second-class citizens of the 21st century.
Illegal immigrants, though they have broken our immigration laws, are not enemies of America. They do not come here intent on doing us harm. They are the people who clean our houses, pick our crops, collect our garbage and build our homes.
America is at its best when it embraces, reaches out, and shares its blessings - as it did with me a long time ago. The immigration debate should be one of positive ideas that benefit all Virginians and all Americans, rather than turning into a competition that rewards the most vehemently anti-immigrant language.
If you are a Christian candidate and are planning to appeal for my vote next Sunday at church, please note that I would like to see a message of love, reconciliation and generosity. I would like to see candidates faithful to the Gospel and to Jesus' teachings, that uphold with humility and love the teachings of the Gospel.
I would like to see candidates who understand that "I was hungry, and you fed me, I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink, a stranger, and you welcomed me, was naked and you clothed me..." are not hollow words or conditioned upon green cards to be true.
I would like to see candidates that appeal to a bright and compassionate America and candidates that hold themselves to the truth that "'whatever you did to the least of mine you have done onto me...." This is the bar that we will all be judged by.
So if your fliers appeal to crackdowns and divisiveness, please spare my car.
Tom Melli
Haymarket
Column: Illegal Immigration - What would Jesus do?
10/31/2007
In the spirit of full disclosure, let me make clear that I am a Hispanic U.S. citizen who came to this country legally and believe that illegal immigration is wrong.
While I usually do not participate in politics or put my thoughts in the public arena, it breaks my heart to see local politicians in Virginia using rhetoric about illegal immigration that appeals to our basest fears and threatens to build barriers, dividing our communities.
And what makes me even sadder is that many of these politicians share my faith and my beliefs.
I am always reminded that we should not mix church and government, but next Sunday when I walk out of church to my car, I expect to find any number of fliers tucked under my windshield wipers. Candidates running for everything from commissioner and delegate to senator will be trying to win my vote by appealing to my faith and beliefs, showing me that they are also faithful servants of the Lord.
Sadly, some of them will also be firmly in the camp of those using vitriolic rhetoric on cracking down on illegal immigration.
My question to them, since they are appealing to me on the basis of faith, is simple: What would Jesus do on this issue?
Would Jesus have instructed his disciples to check for green cards before distributing the bread and fish after multiplication?
Would Jesus have asked for proper documentation from the blind, the crippled, the leper, the mute, the needy before healing or helping them?
How would Jesus interpret the parable of the good Samaritan in the light of the illegal immigrant?
Which examples would Jesus use today about the woes of the Pharisees for obeying the minutiae of the law but forgetting mercy?
Would Jesus have made cutting services to illegal immigrants a campaign issue or would He have been crying with the poor that were about to become further isolated?
And I could go on.
While illegal immigration is out of control and both parties should work to find a solution, I believe it is absolutely unnecessary to foment hate and create division in our community.
We should not lead Virginia back to the times of white robes or illegal interracial marriages, turning Hispanics into the second-class citizens of the 21st century.
Illegal immigrants, though they have broken our immigration laws, are not enemies of America. They do not come here intent on doing us harm. They are the people who clean our houses, pick our crops, collect our garbage and build our homes.
America is at its best when it embraces, reaches out, and shares its blessings - as it did with me a long time ago. The immigration debate should be one of positive ideas that benefit all Virginians and all Americans, rather than turning into a competition that rewards the most vehemently anti-immigrant language.
If you are a Christian candidate and are planning to appeal for my vote next Sunday at church, please note that I would like to see a message of love, reconciliation and generosity. I would like to see candidates faithful to the Gospel and to Jesus' teachings, that uphold with humility and love the teachings of the Gospel.
I would like to see candidates who understand that "I was hungry, and you fed me, I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink, a stranger, and you welcomed me, was naked and you clothed me..." are not hollow words or conditioned upon green cards to be true.
I would like to see candidates that appeal to a bright and compassionate America and candidates that hold themselves to the truth that "'whatever you did to the least of mine you have done onto me...." This is the bar that we will all be judged by.
So if your fliers appeal to crackdowns and divisiveness, please spare my car.
Tom Melli
Haymarket
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