In a time when Evangelicals sometimes have a reputation for religious bigotry, it’s great to see articles like this. In it, Sen. Marco Rubio is quoted as saying, “Evangelical groups [help] us to see [immigration] not only as a statistical [issue], but also as a human one — and that’s a great contribution.” And Sen. Lindsey Graham describes the Evangelical support rallying around his work for immigration reform as “a game changer”. Encouraging stuff. Read on to see how Evangelicals are being viewed as a key constituency pushing immigration reform forward.
Thinking About Immigration: why “illegal” is problematic
If you’ve been following the immigration debate for any time, you may be unsure of what language to use. Illegal immigrants? Undocumented worker? Pramila Jayapal writes of the harm that “illegal” language causes.
If you liked what Ms. Jayapal had to say, you may be interested in hearing her discuss the importance of migration to all countries in her TEDx talk.
Thinking About Immigration: reflections from a student leader, pt. 2
Earlier this week, we introduced you to a series of blog posts by a New Wine student leader reflecting on immigration reform. In his second post on this topic, he says,
Last week I read an article in the Washington Post- On Faith section by Lisa Miller called “The biblical case for immigration reform” and a section really caught my attention.
“Immigration is the most dramatic of American narratives. It involves hardship and persecution, and then — finally — relief and the opportunity to start again. When we put our hands over our hearts to pledge allegiance to the flag, we remember the people whose struggles gave us everything.”
For me, this section highlighted the point “to talk story” that I have been learning this year through my involvement with New Wine, New Wineskins at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. In “talking story” we learn to value the culture, experiences, and beliefs of others through listening and sharing together dialogically in a group or one-on-one setting. My friend Brandon, from Hawaii, has been very influential in teaching me this.
Thinking About Immigration: some guiding principles, pt. 3
Last week, we shared sets of principles for immigration reform developed by a community group in Oregon and by a national group of Evangelicals. Today we bring you a set of principles developed by Main Street Alliance, a national network of small business coalitions. “Alliance small business owners share a vision of public policies that work for business owners, our employees, and the communities we serve.” Here are the principles they developed in short – head over to their website for slightly longer descriptions of each principle.
Immigration is an American experience. Throughout our nation’s history, generations of new American business owners and workers have helped build strong local economies and strong communities. Today, outdated and out-of-touch immigration policies are hindering our economic progress instead of fueling it. It’s time for common sense, comprehensive immigration reform that works for small businesses and our local economies. Small business leaders believe immigration reform should:
- Strengthen the small business workforce and customer base.
- Reward initiative with the American promise of opportunity.
- Promote productivity and reduce red tape.
- Strengthen the American economy and the country’s bottom line.
What do you think of these principles, especially in comparison to those from the other two groups?
Interfaith Table Fellowship—A Messy Business
This week, Dr. Paul Louis Metzger spoke at Multnomah’s undergraduate chapel on the subject of “Interfaith Table Fellowship – A Messy Business”. He shared some of the lessons we’ve learned over the years through dialogues with our Zen Buddhist friends from Dharma Rain Zen Center. Listen in!