Jim Schue is expressing an honest struggle that we all have at times. I appreciate the transparency, Schue.

 

@kygirl pretty much nails the Christian response for once the refugees arrive in the U.S. Let me add that there are currently Christians in Syria and surrounding countries who have been taking in refugees all along. They have been providing food, shelter, medical care, and even schooling for the children of refugees. The numbers of refugees are overwhelming but they continue to do this--both American Christians and national believers participate in this. This is nothing new. They have been risking their lives for the sake of others on a daily basis all along. Further out (geographically), Christians have received refugees into their homes and villages, again providing all the basic needs plus addressing ongoing and future needs--like schooling for children. They don't require conversion to Christianity, either.

 

A little context, Christians in the Middle East have been persecuted and oppressed for centuries. They have lived alongside Muslims in places like Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, etc. While they don't have total freedom, they have been tolerated. What Muslims don't tolerate is the conversion of a Muslim to Christianity. If your family has a history of being Christian, they don't mind you being Christian but if your family is Muslim and you convert... that can be a dangerous thing. And if you are a Christian who leads a Muslim to convert to Jesus, that is also not tolerated.

 

One last thing, we don't have to wait for the Syrians to arrive before we have Muslim neighbors. How do we treat those who are already here from Jordan, Pakistan, Syria, Morroco, Somalia, etc.? Do we know their names? Do we invite them to our house or a cookout or get to know them on a basis other than just saying, "Hello" in passing. We have opportunity to practice love of neighbor with those Muslims who already live beside us.

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 ?

Clyde is right.

 

I am not asking "should we accept refugees?". This question is assuming our government starts giving refugees asylum here.

 

As Christians (the question in the OP was aimed solely at this group) once those refugees are here, how are we to react/treat them?

Clyde is right.

 

I am not asking "should we accept refugees?". This question is assuming our government starts giving refugees asylum here.

 

As Christians (the question in the OP was aimed solely at this group) once those refugees are here, how are we to react/treat them?

 

Treat others how you want to be treated. That's how I'll be treating the other human beings, whom were made in the image and likeness of God just like you and me.

Jim Schue is expressing an honest struggle that we all have at times. I appreciate the transparency, Schue.

 

@kygirl pretty much nails the Christian response for once the refugees arrive in the U.S. Let me add that there are currently Christians in Syria and surrounding countries who have been taking in refugees all along. They have been providing food, shelter, medical care, and even schooling for the children of refugees. The numbers of refugees are overwhelming but they continue to do this--both American Christians and national believers participate in this. This is nothing new. They have been risking their lives for the sake of others on a daily basis all along. Further out (geographically), Christians have received refugees into their homes and villages, again providing all the basic needs plus addressing ongoing and future needs--like schooling for children. They don't require conversion to Christianity, either.

 

A little context, Christians in the Middle East have been persecuted and oppressed for centuries. They have lived alongside Muslims in places like Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, etc. While they don't have total freedom, they have been tolerated. What Muslims don't tolerate is the conversion of a Muslim to Christianity. If your family has a history of being Christian, they don't mind you being Christian but if your family is Muslim and you convert... that can be a dangerous thing. And if you are a Christian who leads a Muslim to convert to Jesus, that is also not tolerated.

 

One last thing, we don't have to wait for the Syrians to arrive before we have Muslim neighbors. How do we treat those who are already here from Jordan, Pakistan, Syria, Morroco, Somalia, etc.? Do we know their names? Do we invite them to our house or a cookout or get to know them on a basis other than just saying, "Hello" in passing. We have opportunity to practice love of neighbor with those Muslims who already live beside us.

 

I think it's important to note that while Christians are "tolerated" in some ME countries, they also regularly have to pay a tribute for being of the outcast religion.

^ Yes, good point, Mr. Schue, "tolerated" has a wide range of meaning. I spoke with a Coptic Christian from Egypt, maybe ten years ago. She told me how she was afraid to go home and visit her mother. She explained that Christians sometimes disappear there. The police never find any clues. Also, young girls of marriageable age are sometimes kidnapped and made to marry a Muslim man and forced to convert to Islam. This was an ongoing, though sporadic practice. This Coptic Christian was especially afraid to go to church with her mother. Her mother told her she should not be afraid. Her mother was not afraid because if something happened and she was killed, she would go to be with Jesus and that is to be desired. They lived with this possibility everyday as a member of a minority religion in Egypt. This woman told me she was ashamed that she was afraid because when she lived in Egypt she was not afraid like her mother but having lived in America with its freedoms and safety had made her soft and now she was afraid.

In this case I would refer to these few verses in Mathew 12:

 

46While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

 

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