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Evangelical Support Grows for Path to Legalization

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 12:40:46 PM EST
Tags: immigration reform, evangelicals (all tags)
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The New York Times reports:

Normally on the opposite side of political issues backed by the Obama White House, [evangelical]leaders are aligning with the president to support an overhaul that would include some path to legalization for illegal immigrants already here. They are preaching from pulpits, conducting conference calls with pastors and testifying in Washington....

Could it make a difference?

Although other religious leaders have long favored immigration overhaul — including Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants, Jews and Muslims — the evangelicals are crucial because they have the relationships and the pull with Republicans.

So, if all those groups are for it, who is against it? The people they are preaching to? Can they convert their choirs?[More...]

Another snippet:

Taking the lead for immigration overhaul is the National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group that represents more than 40 denominations. Last year the association passed a resolution calling for comprehensive immigration overhaul, and this year reform is one of its top three policy priorities, along with reducing abortions and studying the impact of climate change on the poor. The association’s president, the Rev. Leith Anderson, was in the front row for Mr. Obama’s address, along with Dr. Land and Mr. Rodriguez.

These groups are not for equal rights for all. One leader says:

...the whole effort could implode if the final legislation extended family reunification provisions to same-sex couples where one spouse did not have legal status. For evangelicals, he said, “That would be a deal-breaker.”

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    Evangelical Support Grows for Path to Legalization | 29 comments (29 topical)

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    IMHO, it is not a matter of what but how (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by BTAL on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 01:34:29 PM EST
    Even conservatives strongly believe we have to fix the current system.  It is the methods and resulting consequences that are primarily the point of disagreement.

    As glas as I am they are for it (none / 0) (#1)
    by mexboy on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 12:50:40 PM EST
    I wish organized religion would stay out of politics. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's," would be a good group policy, and Christian too.

    *glad* (none / 0) (#2)
    by mexboy on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 12:51:21 PM EST


    one of the most interesting (none / 0) (#3)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 01:10:32 PM EST
    and possibly the most consequential stories in a while.
    I think its great.

    now if they would just get behind gay marriage . . .

    I'll settle for (none / 0) (#23)
    by NYShooter on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 07:40:37 PM EST
    just stay out of the way.

    Parent
    It is a real stretch to consider (none / 0) (#5)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 01:38:06 PM EST
    Southern Baptists "evangelical."

    And Rev Land may find himself in deep trouble with churches that pay his wages.

    Bout time... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 02:22:43 PM EST
    they started taking the teachings of that Jesus dude seriously.

    If I had to guess, J.C. was an open borders guy:)

    honestly (none / 0) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 02:26:47 PM EST
    I think they are only interested in new recruits.  hispanics tend to be religious.

    tithing and all that.

    Parent

    They also tend to be Catholic... (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 02:38:45 PM EST
    and take that superstition stuff very seriously.

    I don't see the other churches being too much of a threat to Rome's bottom line in the Hispanic immigrant community...but ya can't win new customers if you don't try.  At least they're on the right side on the issue, whatever the reason.

    Any evangelical leaders ragging on our money lenders?  The Prison Industrial complex?  I think J.C. would be all over those issues too...c'mon evangelicals, your lord and savior has spoken!

    Parent

    Actually kdog (none / 0) (#11)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 03:04:31 PM EST
    as a group of churches the evangelicals steer away from politics. The NAE was founded in 1942 and has become more and more mainstream and now dabble in politics.

    Paying much attention to what the so-called leaders have to say will lead you to false impressions. That is, evangelicals focus on teaching salvation of the individual rather than  group salvation from high interest rates.

    In short they are apolitical, choosing instead to render unto Caesar, etc. And that was, as you call Him, J.C.'s position.

    Parent

    non political? evangelicals? (none / 0) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 03:18:27 PM EST
    from wiki

    On