Immigration From My Perspective

[LisaLisa]

Ok, I know that most probably won't agree with me on this, and that's ok. But here's my take on it. This world belongs to God. Humans have separated it into different countries. We stand at the imaginary lines that we have drawn, with guns, and tell people that you can't cross this line.

By what authority do we do this? Doesn't the entire world belong to God? When I hear people say things like "I don't want them in my country", I can't help but think "This isn't YOUR country, it belongs to the one who created it!".

I view all people as equal, and I see these imaginary lines that we have drawn in the sand as something that a handful of people in the world use to control and dominate people, when in fact this entire planet belongs to none of us!!!!!!!!!

What say you?

 

[Southern Gent]

If God says we are to obey the laws of the land....does that not imply that there will be boundaries? If we are to render unto Caesar...does that not imply that there will be leaders of said boundaries? Sure God owns all of it but he has left us to be good stewards over it. He gave Adam "dominion".

 

[LisaLisa]

If God says we are to obey the laws of the land....does that not imply that there will be boundaries? If we are to render unto Caesar...does that not imply that there will be leaders of said boundaries? Sure God owns all of it but he has left us to be good stewards over it. He gave Adam "dominion".

Well that's a good point, I'll have to think on it for a while.

 

[blondeambition3]

Ok, I know that most probably won't agree with me on this, and that's ok. But here's my take on it. This world belongs to God. Humans have separated it into different countries. We stand at the imaginary lines that we have drawn, with guns, and tell people that you can't cross this line.

By what authority do we do this? Doesn't the entire world belong to God? When I hear people say things like "I don't want them in my country", I can't help but think "This isn't YOUR country, it belongs to the one who created it!".

I view all people as equal, and I see these imaginary lines that we have drawn in the sand as something that a handful of people in the world use to control and dominate people, when in fact this entire planet belongs to none of us!!!!!!!!!

What say you?

Yes... we are all equals ... wouldn't be an American Citizen if it weren't for my immigrant ancestors... (lol)

I think it's important that people do all things legally however, and it's sad that we have to take precautionary measures (as a Country) because of the factions that wish to do us harm.

You brought up a good point Lisa.. I think it's equally sad that so many people resent Immigrants... no matter what their Country of origin. Most Immigrants (that I've known) come from really harsh third world Countries that offered them no hope whatsoever.. (other than a future filled with abject poverty and hopelessness). I can't blame people for wanting to come to this Country... who wouldn't?

 

[CreatvDigitl]

Lisa, you say that "humans have separated it into different countries" and you are right but that probably did not happen until someone tried to build a tower to heaven (Tower of Babel). After people's language changed, then they separated into like languages. All part of God's plan

 

[lmrasch]

While I have no issues with immigrants as people, I do have an issue with how the government gives handouts that we the American taxpayers don't even get access to. I know how this is first hand, when my daughter divorced, 2 children, no child support, went in numerous times to get help with housing, food stamps and medical help. The majority of people in DHS could barely if at all speak the English language. The handout with a list for housing, when we called the numbers..there were quite a few for immigrants and zero available for American citizens. Needless to say my daughter and grandchildren are living with us with very little benefit from the government, lol!
They say that there is supposedly no discrimination for hiring regarding race, sex, color, creed...yadda, yadda, but companies get a tax break and perks for hiring "certain" race, sex, yadda, yadda. Where does that leave the tax payers that are actually paying their taxes???? Paying for others and being left out in the rain, that's where.
If immigrants want to work here, GREAT! If they want to earn their way to support their family, GREAT! However, we should not be carrying the financial burdens for their medical, food and housing on our backs. I don't blame them, I blame a broken system and I take some of the blame myself.
There are churches on almost every corner in America today.....if the church had been doing their job in the first place we would not be looking to government to take care of us, we would all be looking to the One who is able to provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory. The arm of man is weak, but the arm of God is MIGHTY!

 

[QUADSHOT]

As christians aren't we aliens and strangers down here? What does that mean? We have given up our citizenship here for citizenship in God's Kingdom. The only reason we are still here is to show God's love to others like his love is shown and will be shown to us when we are with him in his Kingdom. I will guarantee we will not be having this discussion when we are there.

We are all immigrants in the Kingdom of God, thanks to Jesus. All he asks is that we love others the same way he loves us. This is an opportunity not a problem.


I think American Christianity is a lot more American than Christian. What country are you really living for?

 

[psl_shawn]

Yes... we are all equals ... wouldn't be an American Citizen if it weren't for my immigrant ancestors... (lol)

I think it's important that people do all things legally however, and it's sad that we have to take precautionary measures (as a Country) because of the factions that wish to do us harm.

You brought up a good point Lisa.. I think it's equally sad that so many people resent Immigrants... no matter what their Country of origin. Most Immigrants (that I've known) come from really harsh third world Countries that offered them no hope whatsoever.. (other than a future filled with abject poverty and hopelessness). I can't blame people for wanting to come to this Country... who wouldn't?

i am surprised by your views, mostley being as you are in florida also and this issue is a major one here, while i respect your love for the fellow man and i agree in a perfect world with you however this is not a perfect world.......... and yes my ancestors were immigrants at one time too, altho thye did come over legally and during a time when america needed workers and population.

now the easiest answere is "i am an american and i support my country and my fellow americans" altho it does go deeper then that, i see immigrants come to florida and "the main nationality being cuban" when they hit the beah they are here to stay, as much as i feel for them and i cant imagine how horrible cuba is i do not agree with them being here, even tho if our roles were replaced i would try also.

let me explain my reasonng: i see cubans (and i will call them cubans because if you ask them thats what they say they are) take jobs away from freinds ,family members and native americans all the time, and the biggest problem is once they get a foot hold in a company they will only hire other cubans it happens alot, try and get a job in miami without speaking spanish... ain't happening and it's hard to do if your not latin so now i have to speak another language to get a job in a place i have lived foreever? it isnt right and it is moving north slowly, so maybe it is wrong of me but i have more compassion for my neighbor then i do for someone who just got here..

sometimes i dont explain things as well as i want so i hope you understand what i mean and it doesnt make me sound like a heartless heathen.

 

[Saintscruiser]

My grandparents were immigrants....one from Poland and one from Minsk Russia. They immigrated to the United States the legal way and learned English. Gene Simmons from KISS (yeah, the one with the tongue....yuck) and his mother immigrated from Israel when he was a boy. He learned to speak English from tv commercials. He also fell in love with Lon Chaney and that's why the icky side of him in concert. I'm not a fan, believe me, but his story is interesting.

If you want to immigrate to America, DO IT THE LEGAL WAY. I am sorry you're in a country you don't like....there are repercussions to actions. If you immigrate illegally, you can get caught and sent back......or that's the way it should be.

Yes, this is God's world, but read Romans 13. There are rules. There were 10 written on stone by Almighty God Himself. Rules are there to be followed otherwise you suffer the consequences. If I were planning to immigrate to another country, I would do it the legal way. But, I'm a law abiding citizen. I would also expect myself to learn the language of my new country. I'd be in their country, for crying out loud!

 

[BradSmith]

No one seems to give a dang when the economy is running good. Immigrants are a good scapegoat when things are messed up. The only people that are Native to this nation were pretty close to wiped out. I agree Lisa we act like somehow we own this place. I guess you could say we stole it fair and square? I am not White and my familly came from all over the place. but we did it legally. It's a tough question but I honestly think that people would be better off if they came here legally. But how can you blame someone for wanting a better life for themselves and their familly?

Ps. As for rendering unto Ceasar take a good look at what Jesus actually said. It's not what most people think. He was getting grilled by some Rabbies and gave a very sneaky answer. It was actually more of a comment on putting his face on a coin and worshiping it, than paying taxes or giving tribute. render unto Ceasar that which is his (nothing) is actually how it was writen.

 

[psl_shawn]

alot of our views on issues are based on personal perception of our own lives , so please dont take this the wrong way brad but i highly doubt if the negatives of illegal immigration are very evident in michigan.

now let that sink in before you continue to read,

at what piont is "blaming someone for wanting a better life for themselves and their familly" ok? if my family is on the street and starving is it ok for me to rob a bank to make life for them better? a bit drastic sure but where is the line? it is just like any debate all i ask is you try and see the positives and negatives on both sides and see what the ramifications are.


lets say you had it your way and the borders were completley open to anyone and everyone, now not a stretch to say millions would flock to america, what happens then? can america suddenley support 10's of millions of extra people? i just ask where is the line?

 

[BradSmith]

alot of our views on issues are based on personal perception of our own lives , so please dont take this the wrong way brad but i highly doubt if the negatives of illegal immigration are very evident in michigan.

now let that sink in before you continue to read,

at what piont is "blaming someone for wanting a better life for themselves and their familly" ok? if my family is on the street and starving is it ok for me to rob a bank to make life for them better? a bit drastic sure but where is the line? it is just like any debate all i ask is you try and see the positives and negatives on both sides and see what the ramifications are.


lets say you had it your way and the borders were completley open to anyone and everyone, now not a stretch to say millions would flock to america, what happens then? can america suddenley support 10's of millions of extra people? i just ask where is the line?

that's why I said it's a very difficult question. I am part Hispanic and my wife is 100% Hispanic. We did it legally and that's the way it should be done. As for stealing do you actually know what the bible says? If you are starving you can go into a field and eat you just can't take the food with you. It's not a sin to feed yourself. If you don't believe me ask your Pastor or Father.

Ps. I live half of my life in Salina Ca. were my wife is from and were some of my familly is from. So I think I know a little bit about Illegal immigration.

 

[psl_shawn]

i didnt mean to sound like you didnt know anything or you didnt have a right to an opinion, you certainly do, and yes it is a very difficult question indeed.

 

[BradSmith]

i didnt mean to sound like you didnt know anything or you didnt have a right to an opinion, you certainly do, and yes it is a very difficult question indeed.

It is a very hard question and as Christians we are duty bound to help those who are less fortunate. However, we are also duty bound to take care of ourselves and our families as well. Can we do that if we let a billion people into our country? Like you said were do we set the line? I honestly don't know. I know that I must help people if I can, but when does it become more that we can handle? When does it hit the point were it's destroying ourselves? That is what makes it so hard.

Peace and love brother.

 

[blondeambition3]

As christians aren't we aliens and strangers down here? What does that mean? We have given up our citizenship here for citizenship in God's Kingdom. The only reason we are still here is to show God's love to others like his love is shown and will be shown to us when we are with him in his Kingdom. I will guarantee we will not be having this discussion when we are there.

We are all immigrants in the Kingdom of God, thanks to Jesus. All he asks is that we love others the same way he loves us. This is an opportunity not a problem.


I think American Christianity is a lot more American than Christian. What country are you really living for?

That was absolutely beautiful (and True!) Quad! Thank you for that enlightening (and scriptural) response! ♥♥♥

 

[otrpu]

I'm not against Legal Immigrants, it's the illegal aliens that are taking advantage of the system.

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[Southern Gent]

As christians aren't we aliens and strangers down here? What does that mean? We have given up our citizenship here for citizenship in God's Kingdom. The only reason we are still here is to show God's love to others like his love is shown and will be shown to us when we are with him in his Kingdom. I will guarantee we will not be having this discussion when we are there.

We are all immigrants in the Kingdom of God, thanks to Jesus. All he asks is that we love others the same way he loves us. This is an opportunity not a problem.


I think American Christianity is a lot more American than Christian. What country are you really living for?

Jesus said, "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's". Christians have a dual citizenship so to speak. The only time we are not to obey laws of the land is when they conflict with the word of God. Immigration laws (having law) do not violate anything in God's word. It was God who told Israel to drive people from the land and not to intermarry. The concept of immigration law is not unfamiliar to the Father.

 

[LisaLisa]

As christians aren't we aliens and strangers down here? What does that mean? We have given up our citizenship here for citizenship in God's Kingdom. The only reason we are still here is to show God's love to others like his love is shown and will be shown to us when we are with him in his Kingdom. I will guarantee we will not be having this discussion when we are there.

We are all immigrants in the Kingdom of God, thanks to Jesus. All he asks is that we love others the same way he loves us. This is an opportunity not a problem.


I think American Christianity is a lot more American than Christian. What country are you really living for?

Awesomeness!!!!! This is exactly what I think too!

 

[closetsmokr]

The USA is kind of like the "Christian Vapers" forum. The borders are created initially to create a "sanctuary" for a group of people to have their own place, under their own rules. Over time, others will want to try to breach the borders, and they will be asked to leave, or made to feel unwelcome, if they do not meet the "standards" determined by those with power. Remember why the first settlers came to this part of North America - to escape the oppression and persecution they felt in England. The borders started out as a way to keep the British out as much as to keep the new colonists in. Humans may be wrong in their desires to create borders, but it inherent or else we wouldn't be at least somewhat territorial in nature.

 

[Southern Gent]

The USA is kind of like the "Christian Vapers" forum. The borders are created initially to create a "sanctuary" for a group of people to have their own place, under their own rules. Over time, others will want to try to breach the borders, and they will be asked to leave, or made to feel unwelcome, if they do not meet the "standards" determined by those with power. Remember why the first settlers came to this part of North America - to escape the oppression and persecution they felt in England. The borders started out as a way to keep the British out as much as to keep the new colonists in. Humans may be wrong in their desires to create borders, but it inherent or else we wouldn't be at least somewhat territorial in nature.

Yep...excellent. When in Rome do as the Romans or get out.