Evangelical and Religious Left Continue Push for Liberalized Immigration and Conditional Amnesty
"Why are church groups ignoring their own members and going beyond their biblical mandate by demanding that Christianity must support the liberalized immigration policies and conditional amnesty promoted by Democratic members of Congress?" -- Mark Tooley, IRD President
Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- A wide spectrum of religious groups, including Mainline Protestants, liberal evangelicals and some Catholic groups continue to push for "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" as touted by Illinois Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez and New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. These church groups, operating through the Interfaith Immigration Coalition and elsewhere, insist that Christian justice and compassion equal increased legal immigration, even during a recession, and conditional amnesty for nearly all illegal immigrants. Some church groups even advocate open borders and no immigration restrictions.
IRD Vice President Alan Wisdom's talking points on Christianity and immigration can be found here: www.theird.org/Page.aspx?pid=1496&frcrld=1
IRD President Mark Tooley commented:
"Why are church groups ignoring their own members and going beyond their biblical mandate by demanding that Christianity must support the liberalized immigration policies and conditional amnesty promoted by Democratic members of Congress?
"Neither Scripture nor Christian tradition offers specific guidance for America's correct immigration policies. Christians can and do disagree on this issue. Polls indicate that most church members are uncomfortable and often strongly opposed to the liberalized immigration policies that many of their church elites demand. Many liberal church activists want to steer church members away from conservative social issues and instead towards activism that would align them with liberal political movements. 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform' seems to be one of their target issues."
The Institute on Religion & Democracy works to reaffirm the church's biblical and historical teachings, strengthen and reform its role in public life, protect religious freedom, and renew democracy at home and abroad.
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