In the wake of terrorist violence, many South Carolina lawmakers, including our governor, have declared opposition to receiving any refugees from Syria for resettlement here. This is a regrettable and saddening position.
As people of faith, many of us leaders in our religious traditions, we challenge our political leaders to show courage in the face of fear. We must not turn our backs on the thousands of human souls fleeing the same violence which we fear. Nor should we turn our backs on our many international allies who need our help to resettle the homeless, hungry, and frightened who have reached their borders.
Furthermore, we abhor the suggestion that immigrants be accepted based on their stated religion. Such a test is contrary to everything our American ideals represent, particularly in a country, and in a state, which is home to dozens of religions, including thousands of peaceful Muslims. South Carolina has welcomed refugees many times over the years, and we can do our part again.
We call on state leaders to trust the existing rigorous process by which immigrants are approved, and to resist demagoguery or any other speech which feeds fear and incites bigotry. During these difficult times we need you to inspire hope, bravery, compassion and service.
Note: I will put this all into a document and share with lawmakers in a few days. Please share with others. Please write the name you would want to appear there, and don't forget your title or affiliation, if that is applicable.
Updates
November 21, 2015
I am truly humbled by the response this has received because I never anticipated such a broad show of compassion. This momentum belongs entirely to all of you who chose to speak up for our shared values.
31 Comments
I understand the fear that some people have about letting in refugees as criminals may sneak in with them. However, let us not make fear rule us to become inhumane. Apply rigorous screening tests and let us welcome our brothers and sisters in need. By the way, not that it should matter but I am Christian.
A main aim of terrorism is to terrorize. It is up to us to allow ourselves to be terrorized or not. The Good Samaritan of the Gospel did not concern himself about the robbers who had beaten the victim, nor did he ask the background of the victim, hi simply helped him. We must do likewise.
I was sadly disappointed with Govenor Haley's decision to block refugees entrance to SC. We are better than that. My proudest moment as a Carolinian came when Charleston chose love in response to hate-inspired violence. We must do better and find the way to choosing love in all things.
Governor Hailey, as you probably well know that Sikh's were considered dangerous insurgents at one time, it is incomprehensible how we cannot allow Syrian refugees into our state. If we are truly "Carolina Strong" we can open our state to help those in need.
Grandparents on both sides of my family came to the shores of America after being in persecuted situations. If not for the USA letting them in I would not have been born into citizenship in this great country. Let's keep it great!
Syrian should be changed to Syria in the first paragraph.
Thank you everyone for your signatures, your inspiring comments and your confidence. I have now put this all into a nice formatted document, printed and mailed it to Governor Haley and all members of our state Congressional delegation. I wish that I could send it to everyone who has been in the news about this issue, from local to state to Congressional elected officials, but that's my capacity. I will also email it to all of those people. **If you would like a pdf copy of the file to share with others, please email me at holli @ sc.rr.com.
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In the wake of terrorist violence, many South Carolina lawmakers, including our governor, have declared opposition to receiving any refugees from Syria for resettlement here. This is a regrettable and saddening position.
As people of faith, many of us leaders in our religious traditions, we challenge our political leaders to show courage in the face of fear. We must not turn our backs on the thousands of human souls fleeing the same violence which we fear. Nor should we turn our backs on our many international allies who need our help to resettle the homeless, hungry, and frightened who have reached their borders.
Furthermore, we abhor the suggestion that immigrants be accepted based on their stated religion. Such a test is contrary to everything our American ideals represent, particularly in a country, and in a state, which is home to dozens of religions, including thousands of peaceful Muslims. South Carolina has welcomed refugees many times over the years, and we can do our part again.
We call on state leaders to trust the existing rigorous process by which immigrants are approved, and to resist demagoguery or any other speech which feeds fear and incites bigotry. During these difficult times we need you to inspire hope, bravery, compassion and service.
Note: I will put this all into a document and share with lawmakers in a few days. Please share with others. Please write the name you would want to appear there, and don't forget your title or affiliation, if that is applicable.
Updates
November 21, 2015
I am truly humbled by the response this has received because I never anticipated such a broad show of compassion. This momentum belongs entirely to all of you who chose to speak up for our shared values.
31 Comments
We are instructed in the Holiness Code (Lev. 19:33) to take to heart the lessons of our own history by treating aliens in our midst with justice and compassion. “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."
I understand the fear that some people have about letting in refugees as criminals may sneak in with them. However, let us not make fear rule us to become inhumane. Apply rigorous screening tests and let us welcome our brothers and sisters in need. By the way, not that it should matter but I am Christian.
A main aim of terrorism is to terrorize. It is up to us to allow ourselves to be terrorized or not. The Good Samaritan of the Gospel did not concern himself about the robbers who had beaten the victim, nor did he ask the background of the victim, hi simply helped him. We must do likewise.
I was sadly disappointed with Govenor Haley's decision to block refugees entrance to SC. We are better than that. My proudest moment as a Carolinian came when Charleston chose love in response to hate-inspired violence. We must do better and find the way to choosing love in all things.
Governor Hailey, as you probably well know that Sikh's were considered dangerous insurgents at one time, it is incomprehensible how we cannot allow Syrian refugees into our state. If we are truly "Carolina Strong" we can open our state to help those in need.
Grandparents on both sides of my family came to the shores of America after being in persecuted situations. If not for the USA letting them in I would not have been born into citizenship in this great country. Let's keep it great!
Syrian should be changed to Syria in the first paragraph.
Thank you everyone for your signatures, your inspiring comments and your confidence. I have now put this all into a nice formatted document, printed and mailed it to Governor Haley and all members of our state Congressional delegation. I wish that I could send it to everyone who has been in the news about this issue, from local to state to Congressional elected officials, but that's my capacity. I will also email it to all of those people. **If you would like a pdf copy of the file to share with others, please email me at holli @ sc.rr.com.
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We are instructed in the Holiness Code (Lev. 19:33) to take to heart the lessons of our own history by treating aliens in our midst with justice and compassion. “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."