Archive for July 19th, 2008
fear and loathing in Las Churches
subtitle: yet another prelude to the engine of perfection
Did any of you catch the article in the Oklahoman the other day called “Unofficial rule: ‘No churches’? It was about some illegal aliens seeking sanctuary in a Hispanic Methodist church, and the unofficial policy of federal agents to avoid raiding churches to capture these illegals when they’ve taken refuge in them. Even when they know for a fact that they are there. It’s originally an APNEWS story, so while I couldn’t find the Oklahoma copy of it online, here’s another paper that carries it word for word: unofficial policy Federal officials avoid immigration arrests at churches.
“So Jimmy, what does this have to do with fear and loathing in Las Churches? It looks like they are doing just the opposite! Not being afraid to shelter them and risk a raid by federal law enforcement and immigration officials!”
True. This has to do with my upcoming post; the engine of perfection. That’s actually the subtitle. The title being “so why is your God so weak?”
My question in this instance is what would most churches do if some illegal alien ran into your church with his family in tow shouting “Santuario!”?
Sorry LC, but once again, being the 800lb gorilla in our blogging neighborhood makes you the obvious target. I attended “the Ed” campus not too long ago to meet a fellow blogger for the first time in person. As I looked around the whatever that area is called before you go into the movie theater part for worship and a film, I couldn’t help but notice the huge police officer in full on duty uniform standing there watching everyone like a hawk. I got the distinct impression that walking up and talking to him would not be a pleasant experience for me. Don’t ask me why, it was just the vibe. I could be completely wrong about that.
But I have to ask, just what would this policeman do if an illegal alien ran up to him and asked for the Ed to give him sanctuary from immigration? You see, it’s a little different here in OK than in a lot of other states. If you did grant him sancturary, you take a much greater risk. I believe state law would allow them to confiscate the church property. And it’d be the local law enforcement agencies, and not federal ones that would be liable by the state laws to do so.
Now, I know you could simply pray about it and seek God’s will, BUT, you have a policeman in full uniform with his requirement to enforce the law standing right there. What would you do? Grant sanctuary with all the risk that entailed, including breaking the law or using influence and/ or connections to get the law ignored in this case? Which might open the doors of your campuses to a flood of illegal aliens seeking the same thing? Call the feds to come and get them? Have security escort them off the property so as not to have to deal?
swerve did an interesting series on failure this week. I wonder if this would fall under the topic?
Inquiring minds want to know! (grin)
