United Methodist Church urges Sessions to halt migrant family separations
Source: The Hill
BY LUIS SANCHEZ - 06/16/18 10:34 AM EDT
The United Methodist Church this week criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Trump administration immigration policies of separating migrant families and denying asylum to those fleeing domestic abuse and gang violence. The church also specifically called on attorney general Jeff Sessions— who is a United Methodist — to “immediately reverse these decisions.”
In a statement written by Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, the church’s general secretary, the Methodist denomination argued that the policies are “antithetical to the teachings of Christ” and criticized the Trump administration for using the Bible to justify the policies.
“Jesus is our way, our truth, our life. The Christ we follow would have no part in ripping children from their mothers’ arms or shunning those fleeing violence. It is unimaginable that faith leaders even have to say that these policies are antithetical to the teachings of Christ,” Henry-Crowe wrote.
Henry-Crowe noted that the administration used the Christian text of Paul’s Letter to the Romans to justify their policies but said they missed the parts that stress the need to be hospitable to strangers and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/392601-methodist-church-hits-doj-over-immigration-policy
STATEMENT
A shocking violation of the spirit of the Gospel
In recent weeks, we have watched with horror at the implementation of policies from the Department of Justice regarding the treatment of people migrating to the United States.
Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe June 15, 2018
In early May, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a “zero tolerance” policy resulting in de facto family separation: children are immediately removed from their parents as they are apprehended after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. And three days ago, the Attorney General also announced a policy reversing protections for asylum seekers fleeing domestic abuse and gang violence. Neither threat of violence is now considered grounds for asylum.
Furthermore — and in response to the ardent opposition from a wide array of faith communities — the officials responsible for these policies have recently used Christian scripture to justify their actions.
To argue that these policies are consistent with Christian teaching is unsound, a flawed interpretation, and a shocking violation of the spirit of the Gospel.
Administration officials have used the Christian text of Paul’s Letter to the Romans — his first and weightiest epistle — to justify their actions. The ethical teachings of Romans 12-16 describe that consecrated Christian life requires the duties of love and hospitality. The commandment in Chapter 13 to “be subject to the governing authorities” is bracketed by preceding and following passages containing the command to “love.”
Earlier verses detail what love looks like:
Let love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord…extend hospitality to strangers. (Romans 12: 9-11, 13 NRSV, emphasis added)
Subsequent verses further clarify the centrality of love and its comprehensive nature, stating that all the
commandment[s] are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13: 9-10 NRSV, emphasis added)
We are reminded by Paul that love is the way.
Jesus is our way, our truth, our life. The Christ we follow would have no part in ripping children from their mothers’ arms or shunning those fleeing violence. It is unimaginable that faith leaders even have to say that these policies are antithetical to the teachings of Christ.
Christian sacred texts should never be used to justify policies that oppress or harm children and families.
Those using the Bible to justify these horrific policies, should also read the prophet Isaiah:
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. (Isaiah 10: 1-3 NIV)
The Trump Administration implemented these policies. They have the power to stop these horrific actions. Join me in calling on the Department of Justice, and especially on our fellow United Methodist, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to immediately reverse these decisions.
When you reach out, be sure to share with them the Social Principles of our United Methodist Church, which uphold the rights of immigrants, oppose family separation, and demand protections for women, children and men from violence.
U.S. Department of Justice
Phone: 202-353-1555
Twitter: @TheJusticeDept
Facebook: facebook.com/DOJ
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https://www.umcjustice.org/news-and-stories/a-shocking-violation-of-the-spirit-of-the-gospel-697
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By MORGAN BRINLEE
29 min ago
Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Jeff Sessions Used The Bible To Defend Family Separation & His Own Church Clapped Back At Him
By MORGAN BRINLEE
29 min ago
Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images
There's been quite a bit of backlash over Jeff Sessions' use of the Bible to defend the Trump administration's controversial policy of separating migrant families caught entering the country illegally. But perhaps the most significant condemnation of Sessions' biblical justification is the one coming from the attorney general's own church.
The United Methodist Church, of which the attorney general is a member, slammed Session's use of the bible to defend Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy in a statement Friday. The church explicitly called on Sessions to "immediately reverse" the policy.
"To argue that these policies are consistent with Christian teaching is unsound, a flawed interpretation, and a shocking violation of the spirit of the Gospel," Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, general secretary of The United Methodist Church, said in the lengthy statement. "Christian sacred texts should never be used to justify policies that oppress or harm children and families."
Henry-Crowe condemned the Trump administration's policies of separating children from their parents when families are caught crossing the border, as well as the order to deny asylum requests from victims of domestic abuse and gang violence. She went on to urge members of the church to contact both the Justice Department and Sessions — who the reverend referred to as "our fellow United Methodist" — to demand they "immediately reverse" those policies.
More:
https://www.bustle.com/p/jeff-sessions-used-the-bible-to-defend-family-separation-his-own-church-clapped-back-at-him-9425541
