Dear editor:
To Charlie Coburn:
“I’m amazed at folks who lack one ounce of common sense!” I am amazed at folks who have 50 grams of common sense!
“We had a fellow say these illegal refugees will not hurt our economy!” Putting “illegal” with “refugees” is immoral. Images of God are not illegal; refugees are sojourners, and standing against them is standing against biblical morality.
“We, the taxpayers, will foot the bill that this idiot Obama has created. … ” A wise deity once told a wise man: “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities!” (2 Peter 2:10)
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this fool granted amnesty to all illegal immigrants.” A wise one once said, “whosoever shall say, ‘Thou fool,’ shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).
“The American workers can’t find work, thanks to this Obama and his corrupt administration.” Those who speak often of anyone show the importance of that person, and thus glorify the person. Some show President Obama as so powerful in every way, that it is as if he were God Himself, able to employ or unemploy the country!
“These refugees are poor people. … ” Another wise man said, “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that He promised to them that love Him?” (James 2:5)
“ … So, they want to be able to buy homes or start a business. … ” That is good! They will soon employ others!
“If you folks really believe many of these young boys won’t become gang members, you’re living in a fantasy world.” Perhaps you believe that only races that you don’t like can be members of gangs.
“Khrushchev said, ‘We will destroy you from within and never fire a shot.’” So, are these folks whom you despise destroying-communists, or are they here to buy homes or start a business?
“If this idiot Obama can figure some way to run for a third term, the voters are dumb enough to re-elect him!” One who puts down the leader of his country and the citizens of his country might be described as a traitor. I haven’t noticed these trends in the poor refugees who desire to participate in this land. I suspect that even your ancestors were poor refugees who moved into the lands of the first nations (American Indians).
How one treats sojourners says so much about that person’s faith. How one speaks about leaders (whether with respect or not, regardless of disagreeing with their agendas) says much about his wisdom and diplomacy (or lack thereof).
I prefer to emulate the way of Daniel and his three friends in the Bible. They served under administrations whose leaders gave violent commands. They refused to obey when obedience violated their faith. Yet, they only sought the peace of the leaders; and, strangely, the leaders greatly honored and elevated them.
James Wilson
Hot Springs