As a matter of clarification, this is a question for Christians. It is not a political question about what our country should do, we can debate that in the political forum. This is a question about how should we as Christians react/behave in response to whatever our government ultimately chooses to do regarding the Syrian refugees.

 

https://start2finish.org/who-is-my-neighbor/

 

Interesting article on the reaction to the possibility of refugees being granted entrance to our country.

 

What is our duty as Christians towards them if the government welcomes the Syrian refugees into the US?

 

From the article:

 

All this to say, maybe Christians shouldn’t be so vocal about refusing Syrian refugees. If our government refuses them entrance into our nation or state, fine. If they do grant entrance, we as Christians should be the first to welcome them and minister to their needs, especially their spiritual ones.

What needs to stop is the fear-mongering and xenophobia. Not all who question the wisdom of allowing Syrian refugees to come to our shores are fearful or xenophobic—I get that. But some of us are, and we need to repent.

The world is watching us, church. The world is watching. We have been shoved to the margins of cultural relevance. Truth, sadly, is no longer a strong selling point. So how do we let our light shine in moments like these? We serve as beacons of love—a love that bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS.”

A love, so one former-terrorist once wrote, that never fails.

Perhaps instead of asking, “Who are the terrorists?” Christians should be asking themselves at this moment, “Who is my neighbor?”

Didn't read the article outside of what you quoted...BUT...

 

Jesus teaches his followers to be, among other things, wise. I don't find it "wise" to knowingly and willingly bring people into this country that are radical and will either cause destruction themselves, or recruit and raise others to do so. And that's exactly what is going to happen because we CANNOT properly vet people who come from a land of unstable government where there is quite possibly no information to properly use to research and either allow or deny entrance to begin with. So, when Ali Smith shows up and he has no record of anything because no records exist do you let him in? Ali Smith MIGHT be an OK dude...he MIGHT also be one of the most dangerous guys you ever met and wants to cut off every Christian and American head he can find, or blow up the mall of America and take a few thousand lives with him. The problem is, there is a very good chance there's just NO information to go on to properly vet Ali Smith. people keep talking about Christian Outreach. well guys Christian outreach happens all over the world without bringing them to this country...especially from places with known terrorists that want to try to mingle with them to get here and do us harm.

 

Now, once they get here...absolutely Christian outreach should be conducted to help these people with food and shelter and basic necessities, while also delivering them the message of Jesus Christ. Most...not all, but most will be here to escape the horrors of what their country has turned into. Of course you help the with volunteer work as much as you can.

Great question and article. Thanks for sharing. My thoughts which I have grappled with during the last few days have been all over the map. Now when it comes right down to it the two passages of scripture that I have read it becomes clear to me how to respond as a Christian. In answer to your question everyone who we come in contact with is our neighbor. We would be poor examples of what God wants us to be if we turn our backs on those who need help & love. I think we put God in a box when we rely on fighting fire with fire instead of showing God's love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son- just think about that for a minute. God loves the world not just Christians but the world so much that He gave His only son. Who are we to pass on an opportunity to show how a Christian should treat others? Sometimes our lives will be the only bible some people will read I pray that God uses my life to encourage others to accept Jesus Christ into their life.

 

Matthew 5:43-48 NIV

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

Romans 13:8-10NIV

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Didn't read the article outside of what you quoted...BUT...

 

Jesus teaches his followers to be, among other things, wise. I don't find it "wise" to knowingly and willingly bring people into this country that are radical and will either cause destruction themselves, or recruit and raise others to do so. And that's exactly what is going to happen because we CANNOT properly vet people who come from a land of unstable government where there is quite possibly no information to properly use to research and either allow or deny entrance to begin with. So, when Ali Smith shows up and he has no record of anything because no records exist do you let him in? Ali Smith MIGHT be an OK dude...he MIGHT also be one of the most dangerous guys you ever met and wants to cut off every Christian and American head he can find, or blow up the mall of America and take a few thousand lives with him. The problem is, there is a very good chance there's just NO information to go on to properly vet Ali Smith. people keep talking about Christian Outreach. well guys Christian outreach happens all over the world without bringing them to this country...especially from places with known terrorists that want to try to mingle with them to get here and do us harm.

 

Now, once they get here...absolutely Christian outreach should be conducted to help these people with food and shelter and basic necessities, while also delivering them the message of Jesus Christ. Most...not all, but most will be here to escape the horrors of what their country has turned into. Of course you help the with volunteer work as much as you can.

You really should read the article to get the message before you respond. You apparently didn't read my first post either. :sssh:

 

The light grey part of your post is best left for the political forum. I get it and I don't disagree with you, but I wanted this to be more about "how should we as Christians react/behave in response to whatever our government ultimately chooses to do regarding the Syrian refugees." and less about what the Government should do.

 

You answered that very nicely in your last paragraph. Thanks BigV. :thumb:

Very thoughtful and thought provoking post @kygirl. Thank you for responding.

As Christians, our attitude with meeting anybody should be to "hate the sin, love the sinner."

 

This situation is no different for me. We can't judge a whole group based on the actions of few. And until I befriend a Muslim, I'm not going to try and argue that "Islam teaches violence" or "Jihad means kill!" I've had plenty of non-Christians tell me that "Pope Francis is going to allow gay marriage in the Church" or "The Church teaches that atheists go to hell" (two extremely false statements), so it would be unfair for me to say what Muslims teach and believe.

Great, thought-provoking article, Tootsie. I am in the minority in that I do support the US accepting refugees. While I am concerned about what COULD happen, I firmly believe that we have a duty to help those in need. There are 4M people in need...need much more dire than we in America can fathom. It's not just shelter, food, medical care. It's life...and safety. Refugee camps are horrible places, despite the best efforts of humanitarians. It's not just physical conditions. Hopelessness and the fact that your future is completely unknown, and in the hands of others is completely unfathomable to me. These people literally left homes they owned, businesses they owned, work that fed their families. I can only imagine how horrific day to day life must have become, how fearful the future looked, to give up everything you have ever known to risk the dangers of leaving, and the conditions of living in a camp for the unforseen blessed future. When we accept them into our country, help them get on their feet, we not only are providing basic comforts, but giving them back their lives.

I've thought about this ever since the issue came up, and the statement of Jesus that kept popping up in my mind was, "I was a stranger and you took me in" from his Sheep & Goats discourse in Matthew 25.

 

It's another one of those many instances where the safest route isn't always the one I'm asked to take as a follower of Christ. Without some degree of risk, there is no true faith in Christ. I believe that applies here, as well as to several other issues.

 

I'm a firm believer that as a Christian, I don't get to pick and choose which passages of Scripture I'm going to follow. In the recent past, I have been critical of some for ignoring what Jesus said about marriage to suit their own personal beliefs. Or people ignoring what Jesus said about him being the only way to the Father. Or what Jesus said about forgiving those who have hurt you.

 

On this issue, I'm the one who is tempted to pick and choose. Really tempted. Deep down, if I'm honest, I have a lot of reservations about helping these refugees. The thought of our country helping these folks, and in doing so bringing in some bad guys...well, it's terrifying to me. So if I'm honest, my natural inclination is not to allow them within our borders.

 

But at the end of the day, it's not my call to decide right and wrong here. Jesus has told me that I should look at these men, women, and children as being him: "I was hungry and you fed me...I was a stranger and you invited me in, etc." So the right and wrong of this has already been decided by him years and years ago. The only thing to be decided is if I'll follow his lead.

 

Just my two cents.

Simple. The Christian thing to do is welcome them, feed them, give them shelter, and we'll take our chances.

 

How could it not be that?

Simple. The Christian thing to do is welcome them, feed them, give them shelter, and we'll take our chances.

 

How could it not be that?

 

It'd be great if it were that simple. I've been agonizing over this for days, and as much as I've always tried to live up to what it says on that statue on Ellis Island, I just don't know if I can. I just keep going back and forth, and it makes me want to think about something less depressing.

It'd be great if it were that simple. I've been agonizing over this for days' date=' and as much as I've always tried to live up to what it says on that statue on Ellis Island, I just don't know if I can. I just keep going back and forth, and it makes me want to think about something less depressing.[/quote']

 

 

If you only look at it answering the question " what would a Christian do" then it's easy.

If you only look at it answering the question " what would a Christian do" then it's easy.

 

Well, you may have heard, but I've not always been the most devout Christian over the years. While I was raised in the Catholic Church and believe in God and Jesus, I have issues with organized religion. As a result, religious concerns do not enter into my thoughts when taking the wide view, but they are there bubbling under the surface.

 

As a result, love of country sometimes takes precedence. My Christian side and my love of country are in deep conflict right now.

Well' date=' you may have heard, but I've not always been the most devout Christian over the years. While I was raised in the Catholic Church and believe in God and Jesus, I have issues with organized religion. As a result, religious concerns do not enter into my thoughts when taking the wide view, but they are there bubbling under the surface. As a result, love of country sometimes takes precedence. My Christian side and my love of country are in deep conflict right now.[/quote']

 

 

I am not being clear. The question posed limits us to that perspective. Is there something in the bible that would tell us to choose otherwise ?

I am not being clear. The question posed limits us to that perspective. Is there something in the bible that would tell us to choose otherwise ?

 

The side of me that believes in the Bible is what is making it hard on my patriotic side.