Immigration is much in the news recently, especially in the political arena; we examine this issue from the perspective of faith; how does faith enter into the immigration discussion?
When we hear people of faith expressing political views it is generally the religious right speaking about fundamentalist faith, a narrow view excluding those of differing faiths. I have been to a fundamental Baptist Church where the preacher looked directly at me and thundered “Those who do not know Jesus will burn in Hell.” (He and his parents are excellent people; they have helped Betty and me in many ways without asking anything in return.) In their stagnated view anybody with a differing faith will not resurrect. The Urantia Book presents a broader, more inclusive prospective; a cosmic prospective.
The Bible talks much about love; which is used 131 times in the Old Testament and 176 times in the New Testament. The word “Love” is used a total of 307 times in the Bible (King James edition). The phrase “God is love” is used twice in First John Chapter 4. How does this correlate with a narrow viewpoint excluding anybody? Since He has created all things, all planets, all creatures, how can a God of love be reconciled with the existence of Hell? The Urantia Book teaches us everyone will have life eternal once they have made a final decision to do God’s will.
Also there are politicians who seek to exclude those who are not like them in some arbitrary manner, who have a different religion, a different ethnicity or a different sexual orientation. These politicians inflame passions of voters who have been disenfranchised and left behind by a changing society; politicians do this solely to get themselves elected and reelected to political office. They have little regard for the damage they do to the fabric of society and to those they seek to exclude from their nation.
Exclusionary and anti-immigrant trends promoted by politicians are even seeping into our nation, which was founded on and grows stronger as a result of a fresh influx of immigrants. The first wave was the European people, whose immigration started in 1607, pushing back the Native Americans; it continued relentlessly until the true Americans became but a ghost of their former state. There have been many other waves, one was the peoples imported from Africa starting in 1619, another was the Irish who started arriving in 1846, the Asians started in the 1850’s, followed by the Italians in 1890. Our native land has historically been and currently is founded on and rejuvenated by fresh waves of immigrants. The only truly Native American is the Red race which has been marginalized nearly to extinction; everyone else is an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants.
Our political environment is clouded by many unsavory undercurrents. How can The Urantia Book clarify this situation? What does it teach us?
The creator of all life in our universe, Michael whom we know as Jesus, lived as a mortal on our planet; his purpose was to reveal to his universe the nature of our Heavenly Father and to reveal to God the best that humans can become. He chose our planet, known as Urantia in universe records, partially because it had been previously betrayed by its leader, our planetary prince who had joined a rebellion against universe authority. As a mortal human being Jesus defeated our rebellious planetary prince, Caligastia. This fallen planetary prince is now confined to our planet but he is free to move about and work mischief; he and those working with him are invisible to mortal vision. There are many signs in current society indicating his dark forces at work, for example the rise of authoritarian leaders and the decrease in basic human rights in many countries.
There is a progressive element to faith that is interested in immigrant rights and there are signs this element of our religious community is becoming more active; for example at the last Democratic national convention, Rev. William Barber said: “Jesus, a brown-skinned Palestinian Jew, called us to preach good news to the poor, the broken, the bruised, and all those who are made to feel unaccepted!”[1]
Betty and I attended Rev. Barber’s church, Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greenleaf, NC on Father’s Day 2019; Betty grew up in the Christian Church in Tennessee. This church is the most welcoming and joyous church I have ever attended. When the service was over I had no idea that about three hours had passed. Rev. Barber was in Washington that day, but the feeling of energy and love in his church was powerful.
Jesus was all about inclusion, for example he started the women’s corps,[2] he talked to the Samaritan woman Nalda to the consternation of the apostles,[3] and Jesus taught we should love our sisters and brothers.[4] Our Heavenly Father treats everyone equally; he is no respecter of persons[5] and He is love.[6]
The Urantia Book has many references to the love of God, for example at the Last Supper Jesus said: If you will only love one another as I am loving you, you shall be my friends…. (Urantia Book 1944.6)
When Jesus was just over one year old he became a refugee in Alexandria.[7] What if Pharaoh had the same view of immigrants as modern day politicians? Immigrants contribute to our government by paying a portion of their wages into Social Security without any chance they will be able to receive benefits and they willingly accept jobs others are unwilling to take. We need immigrants.
The major target of those promoting exclusion are potential immigrants fleeing persecution in their native lands. That is exactly why the original settlers from England and the rest of Europe came to America in the first place starting over four hundred years ago, that is the foundation of our democracy. Now American demagogues seek to exclude these people from our nation; they would even exclude their own ancestors for political gain.
There are at least ten references in the Bible about helping strangers;[8] “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt”[9] and “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”[10]
Fresh immigrants are needed to keep our society functioning smoothly.
Finally there is this thought, thousands of children have been forcibly taken from their parent’s custody and placed in cages. Imagine what effect this devastating trauma has on these young minds and growing bodies. The terrorists of tomorrow are being educated in these inhumane conditions.
The love of God must be allowed to inform our political discussions and actions.
What we need now is love.
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https://www.npr.org/2019/01/24/684435743/provoked-by-trump-the-religious-left-is-finding-its-voice Retrieved 8/18/19 ↑
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All references are to The Urantia Book unless otherwise noted. The number refers to the single column version in the format page.paragraph; 1683.5 for example ↑
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1614.3, also Bible: John, Chapter 4, especially verse 27 ↑
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1949.1 ↑
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1958.1 ↑
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1782.2 for example ↑
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1354.3; Bible: Mathew 2:13 ↑
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https://www.christiantoday.com/article/welcoming-the-stranger-in-our-midst-10-bible-verses/104300.htm Retrieved 8/18/19 ↑
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Exodus 23:9 and 22:21 ↑
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Hebrews 13: 1-2 ↑