How does your religion affect your openness towards immigrants?

Question

Or does it?

I'm wondering, because the Immigration section is getting REALLY bogged down in the hate lately (a latest "goodie" is people getting upset over "white girls" having immigrant boyfriends) to the point that it's almost scary. I'd really love to crunch some numbers and see if there's a religious correlation.

So.... what's your religion and do you have a problem with immigration (legal? illegal?) to your country?

Esther, it's a religion question about the correlation between religion and immigration views. If you don't want to state your religion, that's fine, but why answer the question??

Answer 1

My religion believes that all people have equal worth so we have no problem with immigrants (illegal or otherwise). We do have a problem with the hatred shown to those who simply want a better life.

I'm a Unitarian.

Answer 2

Well, I do have a problem with people coming over illegally but I would not hesitate to help them with food or clothing if they needed it.

It is hard to say because we are told by the Lord, This is my commandment that you love one another, so I think I might have to overlook the illegal status if I wanted to show love and mercy.

I don't like the gangs and the criminal element that follows good people trying to make an earnest living, but I think the U.S. has to do something about the influx.

Hopefully a good solution will follow without too much violence and hate. My area already has a lot of people from El Salvador and Ecuador, along with the M-15 gangs.

Answer 3

The immigration issue is a matter of obeying the law. The Bible repeatedly tells people to obey the law of government. Romans 13 for example and may others.

Immigration isn't the problem.

Illegal immigration is the problem. Immigrants should simply follow legal means to become American citizens. They would be welcomed then.

Answer 4

My religion does not play a part in how I feel about immigration. If you are here legally I have no problem with you. But if you come here illegally and start demanding "your rights", Im sorry an illegal immigrant has no rights and should be arrested and deported. My tax dollars pay for illegal immigrants to get free medical care and food stamps and housing and their children in public schools. Its pretty sad when our tax dollars are spent on illegal immigrants instead of US citizens. There are millions of US citizens that have no health care and they can not obtain it either because all of the tax money is tied up in paying for illegal immigrants to have health care.

Answer 5

im mormon, and i am in the spanish ward! im half spanish (moms from spain dad from here)
and the way i see it (which is how lots of us see it) is that these people are just trying to find a better life you know. I know many immigrants and they just want to make more money and provide for their families. Sure, there are some who get into problems, and cause problems, but they aren't the only ones, there are other races who get involved with drugs etc.... i just don't get why people hate immigrants so much. They always say they are taking our jobs away...hellooo! many of these people are getting minimum wage and working crappy jobs just to get by...and they are still making more money than they would have made if they stayed in their original country..
Another thing...there would be less illegal immigration if the country would make it easier to come in legal. Its ridiculous!
The only thing that makes me uneasy is the drug and gang wars...but then again they are every where no matter where you come from.
im not going to write anymore...too freakin mad at all these racist punks!

Answer 6

catholic.

What my religion encourages me to do is to realize an individual behind the statistics - to put aside social categorization and realize a person in need.

Americans will always have their words for Mexicans. They immagine we all eat our lunch under a tree. And Mexicans will have their words for Americans too. But the important thing is to realize an individual behind everybody - a basic human dignity, or respect, that demmands politeness and courtesy from you towards whomever you're dealing with.

I'm against illegal immigration because it is illegal, and leaves individuals in an underground existence exposed to all kinds of exploitation.

Answer 7

For me, it has nothing to do with my religion. I think that it is time we closed our borders. We can't take care of our own citizens here in America, those who were born here legally. Too many resources are diverted to care for illegal immigrants.
Legal immigrants are a different story.
I believe that if people want to come to live in America, then it is their responsibility to learn the language, our laws and customs. That doesn't mean that they have to forget their language or their own culture, but they are the ones who need to make the effort to fit into American society. We shouldn't have to be the ones to try to fit our lives around them.
I hope that made sense and came out the way I meant it too.

Answer 8

I'm Strega and no, I do not have a problem with people immigrating legally into my country. As for illegals, I think they should have to pay a fine and then file for legal standing.

Answer 9

I am a disciple of Amen in Yezua. I have no problem with the immigrants who "legally" seek to be here. "Ilegals" are draining American resources by the mere fact that many do not want to "pay" their fair share into what they take out of this way of life. I myself am "3rd" generation, my grandfather (half german and mexican) having migrated to america. This man worked hard to make himself PART of this country and like many here, went into business and paid taxes. If people who come here illegally "wish" the same rights as americans, they should PROVE they have taken on the very same obligations we HAVE as ones born here............

Answer 10

I don't think it's fair because it's almost impossible for an American to get any help, and they pay taxes. Then you have people who are here illegally and they have babies and get ware- fare and who pays for it? the American.
And what about all the Mexicans who paid all that money, waiting in line to be American? And the government is going to give it away free. I personally fell it's bull-crap and they should deport them all, and make them follow the rules like every body else. It's nobody fault but the Mexican who decided to break the law.

Answer 11

I'm in China. I'm against anything illegal, but there are no illegal immigrants in my country. In the US, illegal immigration is a law issue, other than a religious/moral issue, although some corelation does exist. Yes, you posted your Q in a wrong place.