Theology of Immigration - Assignment Example

Theology of Immigration American citizens require an immigration law that safeguards their borders, values the laws and regulations and forms such a law that helps people to gain a legal status for those who work extremely hard but without any form of permits. They believe that these people who work hard should be given working permits and temporary visas and even American citizenship after paying taxes. Congress has accepted the importance of an improved immigration law and the how urgently these reforms need to be made. While Congress is making new laws evangelical Christians on the other hand are protesting and trying to make sure that these laws are in accordance with the teachings of the bible regarding immigration and how immigrants should be treated. An immigration law that ensure justice, values an individual’s self-esteem and does not affect the country’s image as a welcoming country. A fair immigration law will help in making the country’s economy and society stronger. Immigrants have played a significant role both in American history and bequest, due to this American’s should encourage immigrants to take part as American citizens who pay taxes, vote in elections and work legally (Staver, 2013). Immigration laws should consist of suitable fines, timings to wait for their hearings, a proper background check should be done, confirmation regarding honourable character and loyalty towards America by learning their native language. The Bible regarding the issue of immigration states that people need to make to make a choice between greeting the immigrants which will direct them towards endless paradise and not greeting the immigrants will direct them towards endless penalty. (Staver, 2013) In this paper we will discuss what the Bible says regarding the issue of immigration and will also put light on the issue of Iraqi immigrants and what the Christians have to say about it. Biblical Outlook towards Immigration Policy The topic of immigration usually creates a gap between devoted parishioners and denominational ministers, a number of Catholic bishops believe that illegal immigrants should be given official pardon. They are constantly working in the favour of open borders. The codes of conduct stated by their religion are the basis for many American policies and their politics. The Christians who form the policies and the Christian citizens of the United States may perhaps want to take into account how the Bible looks at the issue of immigration. The United States has an extensive relation with Christianity and its affect on the process of policy making. The Bible clearly states rules about some issues of public policy making, however on a few issues nothing is said clearly so people themselves have to interpret what the Bible is saying. (Edwards, 2009) The Bible has told its people the role God has determined for the Civil Government of the country. It specifies that those with power need to maintain law and order in the country, look after the citizens and penalize those who commit a crime. (Edwards, 2009) In 1 Peter 2:13-14 NIV it is said “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” This tells us that those who are making the laws have a very serious responsibility given to them. (Cheatham, 2014) Bible’s Outlook towards the Responsibility of the Immigrants Romans 13:1-2 states “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” The Bible states that immigrants are obliged to follow the laws of the country they have migrated to. Immigrants who are now a part of a new society are suppose to adopt the cultures of that society rather than trying to enforce their own culture, language etc. on the society. The Bible also states that immigrating to a country illegally is ethically wrong and unfair. (Roberts, 2010) The Evangelical Immigration Table The Evangelical Immigration Table is an organization of Christians who are working towards an immigration reform. They ran advertisements on radio stations in cities like Texas, North Carolina and Colorado which would promote using Bible’s perspective about immigration in the policy making process. The leaders of this group believe that the immigration reforms are an issue of ethics which needs to be solved in the light of the Bible. In a verse from the Gospel of Mathew’s chapter 25 it is said “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. This tells us that the Bible has clearly told people how immigrants who are strangers should be treated; however in a research conducted it was found that 58 percent evangelical people who protest believe that immigration poses a threat to their culture and values. (Cramer, 2013) Bible and Iraq The Babylon in Bible is now the new Iraq and Iran. In Old Testament Babylon enclosed not only Iraq and Iran but also Kuwait and Qatar and many other areas in that region. Once Babylon was an empire that ruled the world, this was when Iraq and Iran were one country. These people were Israel’s enemies; they occupied Israel and later Judah. During this time Israel was divided and the citizens of Israel were taken into imprisonment. Iraq is also called the “Cradle of Civilization” because as Bible tells us in Genesis 2:14; 4:21-22; 10:10-11; 11:1-5 that the current culture was started in early Iraq. Five Kings of the Babylon Empire have been named in the Bible, which included Nebuchadnezzar II who destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. At Babylon a number of important things were found for example establishment of the “Tower of Babel” (Genesis, 11:1-8), which was built by Nebuchadnezzar, this was where God marked judgement on the Babylonian Empire. Regarding the future of Iraq God has stated in Isaiah 19:23-25 “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship [the Lord] together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance”. (Wood, 2005) Conclusion Immigration laws are immensely important to every country, especially welfare states like the United States of America. Everyone has their own point of views when it comes to the policy making process, most people believe that Bible should be used as a basis for all the policies that are formed regarding immigration. There are people who are for immigration while those who are against it believe that immigrants come in their countries and try to impose their culture and language. Bible has made it clear in many verses that immigrants should be welcomed however it has also told the immigrants about their responsibilities. It states that immigrants need to follow the laws and regulations of the country they have migrated to, regardless of the fact whether they are just or not. It is also said in the Bible that immigrants should try to accept the other country’s customs and values. According to the Bible immigrating illegally to a country is a sin. In the modern world where the laws and regulations have to be changed constantly it is can be concluded that an immigration policy that is formed for the 21st century cannot be based on a scripture especially when verses have been interpreted according to the way people want them to. References Staver, M. (2013, February 5). STAVER: A Christian approach to immigration reform. Washington Times. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/5/staver-christian-approach-immigration-reform/?page=all Edwards Jr., J. R. (2009). A Biblical Perspective on Immigration Policy. Center for Immigration Studies. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://cis.org/ImmigrationBible Cheatham, D. D. (n.d.). The Bible on Criminal Justice. Devotional. Retrieved June 16, 2014, from http://devotionalnet.faithsite.com/uploads/147/95740.pdf Roberts, R. D. (2010). Illegal Immigration: Seeking a Christian Perspective. Mark D Roberts. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/series/illegal-immigration-seeking-a-christian-perspective/ Cramer, R. (2013, April 2). Evangelical Group Calls For Path To Citizenship, "Biblical Approach" To Immigration Reform. BuzzFeed. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/evangelical-group-calls-for-path-to-citizenship-biblical-app Wood, D. B. (2005). What is the significance of Iraq in the Bible?. IRAQ. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-iraq.html Read More