My Modest Proposal

In the spirit of Jonathan Swift...

It has come to my attention that there is a criminal element in the churches of America that needs to be addressed. Whether it be local officials, such as county attorneys, state attorneys general, or even the federal government, someone must do something about this soon. Might I even suggest a Congressional inquiry? This activity has been going on for decades and it must be stopped.

Churches across America have been funding criminal activity on an international scope. Smugglers and rebellion leaders have been sent into countries with the full intention of breaking the laws of that country. Even if appropriate documents had been secured to enter the country, once inside, the criminal activity began. Contraband was handed out to the country's nationals, often times, contraband that was funded, or even purchased by the American churches. Illegal meetings were held covertly, behind closed doors, with the intent to encourage the nationals to recruit others into this illegal activity as well.

A quick online search tells me these activities are still going on today. There is even an organization founded by one of the famous early smugglers that brags about this illegal activity. I myself was subject to propaganda in the form of a comic book that made this early smuggler out to be a hero.

What should we do about this behavior? Should there be financial sanctions? Should criminal charges be filed? Whatever the case, I know that my brothers and sisters in Christ condemn any criminal activity, and will be anxious to stop this behavior immediately.

Lost OR Found

I'm not entirely sure how I got to where I am at this moment. There were a lot of events leading up to my current state, but I think the final step can be summarized like this... I was sitting in our church "office", a rented house in a neighborhood not far from my school or my home. The room was filled with brothers and sisters in Christ, some of them English speakers, some of them Spanish speakers. Were any of them concerned about the effects of SB1070 on their families? Probably. Two blocks away, two thirteen year olds and one eighteen year old sat in front of a laundromat. All three have been using drugs recently. Some, if not all, are also dealing. At least one was in a gang fight last week that sent one child to the hospital fighting for his life, and another family on the run from the authorities.

I sat there, singing, asking myself, what are we doing here? Are we reaching the real needs of the neighborhood? When we meet together on Sunday morning, what is our purpose? Yes, I am fully aware of the importance of gathering together as one body and worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, giving glory to God the Father, the Maker and Creator of all things. However, at what point do we go beyond building and equipping and start winning souls? Are we reaching the lost?

Which brings me to the other thing that has me troubled. Why are we, as Christians, even talking about illegal vs. legal, documented, vs. undocumented. Is that how our Father sees the world? OR Does he see us as lost or found? I'm sick of all the conversations about SB1070. It doesn't matter whether you are a resident or alien when it comes to the US of A. What matters is whether you are a resident or alien in the Kingdom of God. AND if you are a resident in the Kingdom of God, you are an alien EVERYWHERE on this Earth.

So, as a conservative, white, suburban born and raised, Christian, registered Republican, I choose to love you, cry for you, pray for you, and desire your salvation whether you are documented or undocumented, saint or sinner, upstanding citizen or convicted felon. I refuse to let politicians, rhetoric, the media, religious leaders, or even my friends define who you are. I ask and pray that every day, the Holy Spirit will allow me to see you through my Father's eyes.