March 4th, 2010
Hear from experts, ask questions and engage in conversation about issues affecting our community and around the world.
See what people had to say after our first Global Night on Tuesday 3-2-10
Immigration – Exploring the Christian ResponseImmigration – Exploring the Christian Response
- I feel a bit tricked- I thought this would be more objective and that all sides would be represented. It was all pro-illegal immigration. I don’t think we wrestled with anything. We just learned that all of the speakers are pro-illegal immigration. It was very uncomfortable and I would have been just as uncomfortable if it were all slanted the other way. It’s the slant, the bias that I found uncomfortable. This was not a discussion, it was a one sided persuasive presentation. Sad.
- I need to be a bold voice for those who don’t have a voice. I need to be more aware of this issue as it affects kids that I love very much.
- I believe the Lord is preparing me to help come up with a resolution to immigration reform when it comes to health services there people need.
- I know this is a huge issue and it cannot be resolved for at least several years. But I think I want to be involved because those people are people and have needs and want to do the right things. So, I want to help.
- I have often in the past objected to the process of legalize illegal immigrants. I am afraid that the citizens of this country could lose their well being for absorption of more immigrants into our system. Is the majority of people who come here people looking to work and live or are they running from tyranny? Hypothetically, if we take the best of them from their countries, will we leave the people they left to tyrannical governments and social law? Could we promote the bettering of another nation?
- I am motivated to pray for this issue- to pray for Adrianna to continue her journey and remain strong and protected. I am motivated to call my congressman and Senators to look at the immigration act…and move forward to solve the issue of the big elephant in the room!
- I can’t believe that you have given me such a privilege to be Mex.-American and be documented. What do you want me to do. Lord be with us. Tell us what you want us to do.
- It was very interesting hearing people’s stories and their frustrations with the process, which is definitely broken and inefficient.
- My prayer is that God would give us the wisdom to understand there is no clear way or path to residency/citizenship. I went through the process and I was lost at some point not knowing what to do. Prayer to provide more sympathy for the children of immigrants, that they are given hope of having the same opportunities to use their Am. Education to empower their community.
- As Christians, shouldn’t we open borders to all. Yes, there will be challenges, but that is the God way. Share your home, your bread, your life. I don’t remember reading be kind to the alien if it convenient for you.
- There is a lot of sentimentality and personal information here at Mariners that DOES NOT reflect reality. Most undocumented aliens would rather be able to live and work in MX. The USA is not the answer, Jesus Christ is! We should be helping Mexicans to meet Jesus, and go home and spread the word.
- Illegal immigration is bankrupting CA. I do not want churches to become sanctuary cities. If you have even been to a border protest, you will witness a lot of arrogance and entitlement coming from Mexico. MX is a wealthy country, they should make their own country work. They do not respect us or our laws. Day labor groups are Sylvia cities (Costa Mesa for one) for their “rights” they are criminals and should not be rewarded for breaking the laws.
- I really appreciate Mariners addressing these issues and having this forum.
- I would like to hear more from the speakers, less from facilitator (Matt).
- And less time on icebreakers.
- Better understanding, more compassion, engage, communicate, pray.
- I feel sad about Adriana’s case. It really made me think of how there are illegal immigrants who are here not by choice. There just should be a process for these kids to be legal. There are people who want to contribute to this great country and should be a way to make them legal. It’s such a big issue and it makes me sensitive to be toward this topic. I don’t have an answer, but to be compassionate to the 12 million people here illegally.
- I am currently an undocumented 17 year old who lives in Minnie St. in Santa Ana just like some of the speakers of tonight. As a 4.33 GPA undocumented male student, I have witnessed the absurdity that this government has inflicted upon me. In middle school, for instance, I received the opportunity to obtain a scholarship to attend a charter school. That opportunity diminished when my counselor informed me that I needed a green card. Right there and then, my dreams, passions, and hope were all punched to the ground. As a current junior, I still persevere with the same dreams. Dreams of success. Dreams of freedom. Dreams to persevere. College is around the corner and it is my dream to become the first member of my family to attend college. Due to my legal status in the US, I have many hurdles to overcome in the coming months and I pray to God that he will help me jump and overcome those hurdles and achieve my life-long dream of being accepted into a society which I have been raised for most of my life. In the end, we are all family, we are all decedents of God. We are all ONE.
- You my King are relentless with your love. Even in the midst of this messed up political, broken world. These problems are not new to you. You do have a plan. May us as believers reflect you and your
- love. May we open our eyes, hearts, ears and mouths. May we seek change that glorifies you. May the numbers and percentages not cloud our knowledge that these are YOUR people. PEOPLE. HUMAN. I promise today to remember this and practice this. To know that they are yours and not just numbers. Love us lambs! We (I) will follow the shepherd.
- Thank you for starting this dialogue. I am praying that God will help me to be less judgmental of people who are opposed to immigration reform. My prayer for “illegal” immigrants is this will soon be given a path to legal status and citizenship. I also pray that they will know that God loves them!
- My prayer for this group of people and our church is that we can look past what is politically and economically logical to do what Christ calls us to do as Christians. Yes, it would be wonderful to only accept immigrants of working age who want to (and can) benefit our society, but Christ calls us to take care of the fatherless, the widows, the oppressed- NOT those who will benefit us. God’s economy is not like our economy, and he calls us to follow fom 100%. That means loving and caring for those whom he did. It’s not the responsibility of our government, except that in our country we can have a say in our government, so it falls on God’s people to change laws.\
- This is THE big social issue for our generation to address. This is THE time for the church to show the world we are not governed by politics and economic impact. We are NOT holding back out of fear of being persecuted. This is our time to show we are courageously standing up for those who are in fear, in pain, in need. We are fearlessly following Christ in loving and supporting our fellow human beings that need us now more than ever.
- I heard God’s embracement and love for undocumented immigrants who currently are in the US. Our prayers and
hope is that the church we belong to listens and obeys God’s word. - Guilt, fear, desperation that some may feel on a regular (daily) basis by living here illegally and yet trying to abide by/in the law (framework of the American).
- I am pretty familiar with the facts presented tonight – my parents are immigrants from El Salvador and MX who legalized in 1986 through IRCA. What really struck me today is the faith that undocumented people (who are Christians) have in the Lord – there is no real direction for their lives, no options, but they still keep going.
- Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, but you can’t keep using dirty water.
- My prayer is that your people would listen. That they will have a heart for the poor and the voiceless. That they would rise up as a body and stand up for the weak.
- Prayer that I and their brothers and sisters in Christ might be able to engage in a significant way.
- Changes in federal level. Pray for Adrian. Give Danny Marciaz a raise. Educate myself more, engage with my elected reps. Become a tutor or something.
- To study more on what Scripture says on this issue. To research and become more familiar about these issues locally, state, and federal. To pray about the issue of immigration. To seek the Lord in how He wants me to respond.
- Interesting thought for those against immigration:
If we don’t let th people in to work here, the work will leave the U.S. and go wherever the people are. Global sourcing is a largely adapted corporate strategy that has impacted the US more than we realize. And it is growing. And will keep growing if we don’t find a solution of offering competitive labor in our country. - We need to have a reasonable amnesty program. Close the border. FIX immigration process. Educate/ educate/ educate. I’ve learned that there is a face to those who are here & have worked hard w/o help. There’s still a huge problem on how to deal with the 12 million here, border closing in keeping borders safe & protect our economic health as a nation/state.
- I feel like I would have taken more away from this night if you would have addressed both sides more. Maybe why people are against immigration, and address those concerns. Also, with the verse that were used during Jamie’s talk, either he should read them outloud, or make the text bigger. Also, with that, he should have given more context to the verses…if that means less scripture…then so be it. You can always give sheets of paper out/ put up verses on powerpoint to look up later…Actually, a handout of verses would have been nice. Another thing w/Jamie or any speaker is that if you are going to use scripture to support your statements, don’t misinterpret the verses or take them out of context.
- I am not clear how immigration fits with my passion to help young men find vision. God has shown me in my life that nothing is impossible when aligned with His will. We as Christians are aliens to this world and find favor with God when we influence this fallen world.
- We did not hear a clear set of suggestions on what the Christian community could do or should do now. Or do we have to wait for the government to resolve some items.
- Dream Act- I need to go back to scripture & rethink my position on immigration. I need to be more aware of what is going on in our country politically & either speak out or at the very least pray.