I've been debating on whether or not I would even write my thoughts out concerning the recent events. I suspect that they will not leave me a popular individual, but then again, I never wrote to be popular.
Not here anyway.
The past week has been wrought with heartbreaking news and many angry people. People who on the one hand mourn the events that took place in Paris and claim their solidarity and camaraderie as fellow humans through its various forms on social media; and on the other hand completely ignore the same principles of "precious life" by having nothing positive to say concerning the refugees that wish to enter our country.
I can understand to some degree. It is easy to feel compassion for something that does not directly affect you. When things are closer to home, fear can be a powerful hurdle to overcome.
As a Christian, however, I believe the answer is pretty simple.
Let the refugees in.
I have seen a lot of arguments over this single topic, and I can't help but think that, for a country that has been built and thrives on the diversity of its people and the culture they bring, the United States is one of the most xenophobic countries out there. I don't just say this because of the current refugee example (though it is quite prevalent), but from the years and years of coming across bigoted notions and conversations concerning all races and cultures.
All my life I have been fed the propaganda that we (the US) are the good guys looking out for the little people, but right now I can't believe that. The "little people" are at our doorstep and most of the country is crying out in full resistance and even hate.
And the thing I find the most amusing about this dance we are having is how resistant we are to 10,000 refugees when it is estimated that there will be almost 5 million refugees by the end of the year.
Please, read this article to get a quick understand of how bad it is for them.
I know. It is scary to consider that among those 10,000 souls there are those who would want to harm the citizens of the US.
I know. The events in Paris have done nothing to alleviate those fears.
I know. We do still have plenty of problems to take care of here in the US without adding the extra stress.
But.
Can we really claim to be the good guy, when we refuse to help those who come for our aid?
We cannot let our fear get the better of us, and allow ourselves to be filled with disproportionate rage.
I have seen quite a bit of outrage at the fact that we have 50,000+ homeless veterans and the fact that people want to help these refugees.
The fact of the matter is though, they are two separate issues.
I agree that our vets should be taken care of; after all, they did put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy and should be honored for those acts of bravery.
However, just because we have trouble fulfilling our duties to support our own, does not mean we should deny others the opportunity to live in the same freedom we so deeply cherish.
Being human, is so incredibly messy. Let's not make it harder on ourselves and remember that all lives have value and we should do what we can to better each other not tear each other down.
Anyway, that's my two cents. Take it or Leave it.
Grace and Peace.
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