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Do You REALLY Love Jesus? The Christian Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
By Jessica Forrester 11/19/15
I would expect all believers to read the headline “Do you really love Jesus?” and give a resounding “YES!” in response. However, is it really true? I challenge believers to take a step back and really give thought to this question. Why? Because to affirm our love for Jesus, we must also love His words and His commands. What makes this more defining than ever is the current Syrian Refugee crisis and our response in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks on Paris.
The Syrian refugee crisis is an issue that is of global concern, from both a humanitarian and logistical perspective. Though matters concerning immigration are not popular topics, especially for Republican candidates who are wavering between a hard-right and an extreme-right stance, the lives of others should always be of the greatest concern if you are claiming to be a Christian. I believe the world still looks to this country as a beacon of hope, but how long will that last with anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills being passed like the one today in the House (by most all Republicans and 47 Democrats, I might point out). In fact, the essence of hope and freedom that the Statue of Liberty stands for, is still highly regarded by the world on a very personal, individual level. Many see it as having grown beyond its finely molded copper form to become a beacon of hope for exiles, a monument to American independence, and a metaphor for freedom and democracy worldwide. Yet, is this message of hope for a better life still an open offer?
This week there has been another monumental shift towards fear and propaganda towards those considered ‘the other.’ This includes Syrian refugees, and other refugees from countries where an intense fear is prevalent towards Muslims. The perception and verbiage has continued to turn more radical and hate infused since the Paris attacks. The voice of Islamophobia continues to escalate, not surprisingly, as the number of groups that are the proponents of the fear and hate continue to rise. We have been hearing this week how there are 31 state Governors opposing the resettlement of Syrian refugees, and daily statements made by the current GOP Presidential candidates:
Chris Christie: “Syrian orphans under five should be barred from entry into U.S.”
Ted Cruz: “The president’s plan to continue accepting Syrian refugees to the United State is nothing short of lunacy.” (I should point out that until recently Cruz supported their resettlement)
Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush: “We should focus our efforts as it relates to the refugees for the Christians that are being slaughtered.” (both said basically the same quote, adding that they believed we should be only allowing in Christian refugees)
Donald Trump: “Muslims in America should carry special ID.”
Ben Carson: “If there’s a rabid dog running around in your neighborhood, you’re probably not going to assume something good about that dog, and you’re probably going to put your children out of the way.”
And finally today, the House of Representatives passed legislation that essentially halts Syrian refugees from coming into the United States, passing by a 289 to 137 vote. All but two Republicans voted for the measure and 47 Democrats voted for the measure.
Have we have become a society who is minimally affected by even the most explicit of tragedies, whether it be refugee children, or even children dying at the hands of a mass murderer in the case of Sandy Hook? Scripture tells us to, “Watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9). If we continue to allow ourselves to be unaffected by tragedy, we will soon become a people devoid of any sense of humanity and compassion. What happens when the day comes when we need compassion, a helping hand, or someone to stand up and fight for our rights? We cannot turn a blind eye and then expect anyone to care about us when that time comes.
Jesus Himself spoke in-depth about loving our neighbor and even loving our enemies – and families fleeing their country for their lives without hope are not even enemies! These are the words of Jesus:
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” Luke 6:31-32
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:35-37
“Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
We need to remember the outrage, fear, and passion felt to attack and annihilate those we thought responsible for 9/11…Where did that get us? What did that achieve? The refugees have a more thorough vetting process than any other immigrant group and there has been no direct connection to the Syrian refugees and the recent terrorist attacks. We need to set the example to the world…and we’ve been told clearly how to respond: James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. So I challenge you today to take up the Sword of the Spirit and fight for those who are vulnerable and cannot fight for themselves. These refugees are homeless, they have nothing. Children, widows, orphans, mothers. If love is the fulfillment of the law, then as Christians we must take up that fight.
Jessica Forrester is a contributing writer for Christian Democrats of America.
I have been on the fence with this whole situation from the beginning. In fact, I’m still not really too sure if letting in the Syrian refugees would be a good idea or practically suicide.
While I agree that something needs to be done the help these individuals, as they are human and most of them are innocent (especially the children) and that G-d calls us to love others and to help those in need, but does that mean to let the refugees inside of the US? I’m sure many of the refugees are followers of the Quran, which states many times of what should be done to “infidels” like us, many acts which speak of violent behavior to be carried out against those who do not believe as they believe. I’m not saying that these individuals are out to do us harm, but I’m not saying that they don’t have the desire to inflict such harm upon us either. I’m sure that a good majority of them aren’t part of ISIS but I’m sure some are or at least brainwashed enough about it. it very well may be a Trojan horse. Jesus calls of to love and calls us to help the unfortunate, but did he mean at the cost of innocent lives if these refugees have ill intentions? I want to protect my loved ones first and foremost, my daughter and my wife and other family and friends. As well as the unfortunate that live here on our soil already, other Americans that are down on their luck. On the other hand, these Syrians do in fact need to leave this country before things get much worse and do need to seek safety. If anything, why can’t refuge camps be set up in Alaska? To utilize the vast land space to protect the refugees and feed and clothe them, to make sure they do not have ill intentions to do us harm. I’m still not too sure yet and will continue to pray about the situation and continue to pray for them and for this country.