The little Syrian girl in the photo above is raising her hands in an "I surrender" motion to a foreign journalist. Look at her little face. If she instills hatred and fear in you, something is wrong with you, not her.
I'm sorry. I try to remain non-political here, but to me this isn't political IT'S HUMAN. Why should innocents be reviled and rejected because of what demented murderers who share their nationality do? After all, 90% of the terrorist acts committed in America have been committed by Americans.
I'm as mad as hell this morning. The same people who scream the loudest about this being "a Christian nation" are rejecting these people. That attitude goes against not only what Jesus taught but also the values that built this country (after it was taken away frm the natives). You don't have to take my word. Look it up: the Book of Matthew and the inscription on The Statue of Liberty will tell you all you need to know.
I hope those of you who disagree won't hold my values and beliefs against me. I just had to vent.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 11/17/2015, Sandy said ...
I agree with you 100%. To judge and condemn an entire nationality of people for the heinous acts of a few in my mind makes us no better than the terrorists. I have seen very little compassion from "Christians" on social media and it breaks my heart. There are parents with children who have no home or country, who don't know if they will live or die and yet they board boats in desperation knowing they may lose their lives or the lives of their children who they love with the same love we as Americans have for our own. I don't know what the solution to the problem is and I don't think anybody else does but I pray the right thing will be done for these people. God bless us all.
On 11/17/2015, Barbara Anne said ...
AMEN, Sister! I wonder how many people in Congress and in nameless political parties hold their heads up in church on Saturday or Sunday and even look at themselves in the mirror as they turn their backs on these refugees and vote to let the water and air be polluted, to sell our national parks to the highest bidder (mining, logging, fracking), defund healthcare, throw those who are retired or disabled under the poverty level bus, deny access to medicinal cannabis to those in need causing them to suffer instead of getting relief, to let democracy be sold to the wealthy, and to enrich the already rich. Despicable, one and all.
Jesus wept.
On 11/17/2015, Margaret said ...
You are a good woman. Thank you for saying what you did.
On 11/17/2015, Marsha said ...
While what you write is true, I wonder if it wouldn't be better for them to stay in their own homeland? I read an article by Franklin Graham when this whole Syria thing started. Thearticle was a written open letter to our president and his administration and the people of the United States. I hope you will forgive me for paraphrasing here as I don't have his letter right in front of me right now. He wrote that after 40+ years of working with refugees with Samaritans Purse, he knows refugees and has a pretty good idea of what they really want. They want to stay in their own homeland, they do not want to be displaced to a country they are not familiar and can't speak the language of. At all costs they want to stay so why don't we and others help set up 'safe zones' within the country for them? Maybe, just maybe, he is right and this would be a better way in which we could serve Christ and our fellow man.
I know if the tables were turned, rather than me going to a place I do not know and do not want to go to, I would so much rather stay in my own country even if it may not be my home or my home state. These are difficult situations and difficult times may God bless us as we strive for obedience and wisdom to do what is best.
On 11/17/2015, Elisabeth said ...
Hey Marsha,
Thanks for your thoughts in the comments. I've also spent many years working with refugees and in conflict zones in Africa and Asia. There is no doubt that people (anyone really!) would prefer to live in their own country under a peaceful government.
But that is not what's happening for Syrians and many other people in the region. They are being threatened, captured, bombed and killed - often by their own government - and they need refuge to be protected and recover.
That is what we in the west can offer, temporary refuge while the war is raging, to protect the women, children and men who need it.
Thank you for your post Sophie. I couldn't agree more.
And since we're on the subject - one more comment... If we in the west ignore these children and refuse them the kindness and refuge that every member of the human family has a right to - I am worried that they will become ripe for radicalization by extremists and will be our future terrorists.
If we show them what we are truly made of and extend peace to them, we protect them now and ourselves in the future.
On 11/18/2015, Denise in PA said ...
Amen, Susan!
On 11/18/2015, Debra said ...
I'm so glad to hear someone else say this. It seems like the media is covered up with comments from those who want to reject the refugees. I have been deleting those comments from my Facebook feed as quickly as I see them. It just doesn't seem right to label everyone as dangerous based on the actions of a few.
On 11/18/2015, Laurel said ...
Whose going to pay....how many are you going to have live at your house?
On 11/18/2015, Bev S. said ...
There is a wonderful group that is helping refugees both in Jordan and in Greece. They accept quilts!
Salaam Cultural Center
3806 Whitman Ave. N.
Seattle WA 98103
They have been featured on NPR and are doing amazing things on a shoe-string budget.
On 11/18/2015, Bev S. said ...
I would gladly have a family stay with me.
On 11/18/2015, Dede Warren said ...
i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you've said, and COMPLETELY agree! Amen sister, amen!
On 11/18/2015, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
As many as I can pack in.
On 11/18/2015, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Why wouldn't the Syrian refugees rather stay home? Rape, murder, torture, war, no homes to go to--they've been destroyed. Have you not been keeping up. Paying heed to the likes of Franklin Graham and Mike Huckabee will not give you the truth.
On 11/18/2015, Bridget said ...
How do people think we all ended up in this country? (except for the Native Americans) Because someone in our past (recent or distant) wanted to stay in their country but wasn't able to because of war, discrimination, poverty. There are a lot of people who take up a seat in church but don't seem to let the message sink in and become believers in the message of Christ.
On 11/19/2015, LINDA D TOWNSEND said ...
Are you calling Mike Huckabee and Franklin Graham liars?
On 11/19/2015, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Liars or very ignorant. Either way, not people you want to get your information from.
On 11/20/2015, Darice Herigstad said ...
Last month I met a very kind man working at a car dealership here in Vancouver WA.
We found that we both were both fairly new to this area. I am from the Midwest. He and his wife were from Syria. I moved my family here by choice. They moved to save themselves. He said his family is now scattered all over many countries. He said if it wasn't for Facebook he would have no way of knowing where they were. I told him how very sorry I was for his country. For the people still there. I said I hoped the people here were kind to him. He said they were and that his co-workers were very supportive.
It makes me so sad to read about people encouraging hatred and ignorance. Thankyou for bring a beacon of hope and compassion in a world full of fear.
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