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Evangelicals and Obama: unlikely immigration reform partners
President Obama's much anticipated speech on immigration began with a much unexpected introduction by Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Church near Chicago and one of the nation's largest congregations. Hybels also oversees the Willow Creek Association, an influential evangelical network. So why would a conservative evangelical pastor introduce Obama when evangelicals and the president disagree on so many issues? The answer lies embedded in the underlying threads that surround the immigration reform debate.
While the immigration reform continues to polarize communities and divide our country, it also has fostered a constructive conversation and relationship between conservative evangelicals and Obama. In addition to Hybels, other evangelical leaders who attended the president's speech at American University included Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, Leith Anderson of the National Association of Evangelicals, and myself.
In 2006, business and immigrant advocacy groups led the charge for immigration reform. Today, the faith community, particularly the evangelical community, stands front and center for a comprehensive solution to immigration issues -- for three primary reasons:
First, the growth of evangelical communities in the majority of denominations stems from their ethnic and immigrant constituency. In other words, support for immigration is a matter of both short-term and long-term viability and sustainability.
Second, evangelicals refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past. In the 1960's as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched on Washington, evangelicals -- with a few exceptions -- stood on the sidelines, some openly hostile to the movement, others just apathetic. Consequently, the lack of support for Civil Rights resulted in the building of a wall between the African American church and the evangelical community.
Finally, Evangelicals support immigration reform because we see it as a biblical imperative. From Leviticus 19 to the Good Samaritan Parable, evangelical pastors understand that the Bible supports the reconciliation of the rule of law (Romans 13) with compassion for the stranger (Leviticus 19). President Obama recognizes the influence that faith and family voters have with the Republican Party. Possibly, the only hope for successful passage of immigration reform legislation lies in the prophetic witness of the vociferous community.
As the President framed the argument for reform, he spoke about the moral imperative. Evangelicals stand poised to support the President as he continues to push for a just immigration strategy. At the end of the day, this partnership between the President and evangelicals may very serve as the tipping point that awakens the conscience of a nation to push back on extremism and reconcile before the altar of compassion and grace. This is a partnership that can also serve our nation as we confront other challenges.
This partnership is one of the good things that has come from immigration reform. More good things are ahead.
By
Samuel Rodriguez
|
July 6, 2010; 12:17 PM ET
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Posted by: cynthia10 | July 14, 2010 9:17 PM
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Christianity doesn't have any business involved in political issues and presuming to speak for GOD and take Biblical verses out of context to support a political agenda. Jesus said his kingdom was in Heaven and did NOT attempt to change law or demonstrate against the majority but to help prepare those for Heaven. Changing law or legislation is a political activity and religious organizations that become involved should have their tax exempt status revoked.
The Internal Revenu Code ,Section 501(c)(3) provides for the exemption from federal income tax of organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation
Posted by: robtemery | July 7, 2010 4:29 PM
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Fair has been identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. (Look up Federation for American Immigration Reform in wikipedia.) Their members are known for spreading misinformation and lies throughout the internet such as the example here. They are also in trouble with The Lord: Psalms 146. Just like the trouble Arizona is heading for: Ezekiel 22:23-31.
You think using lies will help you? You may deceive men but God can see through your heart: Psalms 50. REPENT. Jesus is Lord.
Please pray for the people of Arizona and for FAIR, so that they may repent and put their trust in The Lord Jesus Christ instead or persecuting the poor.
Posted by: shadowforjesus | July 7, 2010 2:43 PM
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Illegal Immigration has become a fiery defining issue across the country. Long before President Obama came to power the federal government has rigorously refused to enforce our immigration laws since 1986. However, it is only in the last 25 years that America has been under assault by a foreign force of illegal workers and families.
The US Constitution text of Article IV, Section 4:
“The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on Application of the Legislature.
But we have been invaded by 20 to 30 million foreign nationals, not the numbers of 12 million that has been as stated continuously by the overwhelming Liberal press. According to FAIR, Illegal Immigration expenditures are a $113 Billion annual Drain on U.S. Taxpayers.
This new study released today by FAIR is the most comprehensive analysis of how much the estimated millions of illegal aliens and their U.S.-born children costs federal, state and local governments. Just think how much this huge amount of money would go towards cutting the U.S. deficit—that has climbed to 13 trillion dollars? You can read the report at (FAIR) Federation for American Immigration Reform. An extra $60 billion dollars are earned by illegal aliens in the U.S. each year. One of Mexico's largest revenue streams (after exports and oil sales) consists of money sent home by legal immigrants and illegal aliens working in America.
It’s impossible to calculate or list the welfare programs, health treatment, education and prison incarceration where these billions of dollars are drained. Hundreds of other concealed programs have their costs that must include the U.S. Border Patrol and the pretense of the border fence. The 2006 Border fence was for two fences not ONE. Even the HMS Titanic could not survive this massive costly iceberg hidden beneath the fiscal sea.
The state of Arizona is under attack by our own government in suing over the new policing law SB 1070. This is obviously a political ploy by the Liberal Czars in the administration to force through another devastating—AMNESTY. There will be progressive demise of anybody, who is flaunting a pro-amnesty philosophy by November. Political entities are on notice by the Tea Party and a very commanding group of voters in November.
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) will be ejected first, as he has carried out his power to weaken E-Verify, federal local detainment law 287(g. On a state level many Democratic Senators and representatives will be joining Reid in the American workers jobless line. City governors such as mayors should join the party as well. NumbersUSA has an immigration grading system showing who should not be reelected. Facts, figures and other statistics at Immigration Counters.
Posted by: infinity555 | July 7, 2010 1:11 AM
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As a member of Willow Creek Church, I can tell you that not all evangelical pastors are conservative.