I’ve noted that some in ACNA are dragging us into divisive immigration politics. The
Anglican Multiethnic Network (AMEN) and Caminemos Juntos, self-described as “entities
of the Anglican Church in North America dedicated to helping the province
better reflect the diversity of North America in our local churches” are among
the culprits. The latest from them
explicitly asks for citizenship for “dreamers”:
We therefore ask those entrusted with the role of governing and
legislating to provide a comprehensive solution to the wider immigration issue
that includes a path to citizenship for those children raised here who only
know this place as their home.
Leaving aside the question of whether the federal
government should do this (Except for those who serve in the military, I am
adamantly opposed to citizenship for illegals.), this is not appropriate for a
church organization to do. If
individuals in ACNA want to push for - or against -amnesty on their own time
and without ACNA’s name being attached to it, fine. But AMEN’s act is as inappropriate and divisive as, say, me
and the likeminded in ACNA forming the REAL Anglican Massive Edifice Network
(REAL AMEN), associating ourselves with ACNA as AMEN and Caminemos Juntos does,
and agitating to Build the Wall.
I very much want to “build the wall” and secure our
borders. But I have enough
discernment and concern for unity not to push for that under ACNA’s auspices. I do that on my own time and without
attaching ACNA’s name to it.
Should the church ever intervene in politics? Yes, when there are biblical principles
that clearly apply and when there is a church-wide consensus on how to apply
them. Such areas are freedom of
religion, abortion, and the persecution of Christians.
Whether illegals should have a path to citizenship
is not such an area. There is not
a consensus in ACNA about that. Therefore
what AMEN and Caminemos Juntos just did puts secular political preferences
above the unity of ACNA. Sadly,
this is not the exception but a pattern from some of ACNA’s leadership.
UPDATE: I may have been overly charitable in saying
ACNA was dragged into this. They
have posted this statement on the church website itself. (You may have to
scroll down.)
MORE: And on ACNA’s twitter feed, too:
"We join together at this time to express our love and concern for those who are affected by the recent revocation of DACA." https://t.co/wu2tEL8S2b— ACNA (@The_ACNA) September 13, 2017
3 comments:
A few comments.
As a retired Air Force officer, I support citizenship upon retirement, or Honorable Discharge. The late Jerry Pournelle suggested in his very last blog entry that it should be presented by an O-6 or above.
As the proud son of a naturalized parent whose family came here the old fashioned way, legally, I am dead set against any sort of amnesty for those who came here illegally of their own will. As for the Dreamers, I would be willing to see them granted permanent status IF AND ONLY IF we "build the wall" to prevent further illegal entry. If we don't do that, we are just setting up for more illegals to come. It may be hard, but Jesus died to take away our sins, not our minds.
Last night there was an addition to the prayers for the Dreamers. After the service, I suggested that we should ask forgiveness for their parents sinful and criminal behavior which placed their children in the position, relying on a kind and generous nation to make up for their behavior. The response was "interesting," to say the least.
Thanks for this post. I think a large number of folks agree with you, and ACNA will drive people out if this keeps up.
You need to consider seriously whether calling for the destruction of millions of families and treating the lives and futures of millions of young persons as political bargaining capital are compatible with the Christian faith. People who come here to escape the rule of criminals fueled by the U.S.' appetite for illegal drugs deserve at least some consideration.
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