I
watched with disbelief the CNN television program hosted by Don Lemon
as he interviewed, or should I say, listened to, two Trump supporters
as they rattled off out-right lies about illegal immigrants in the
United States. Both a product of misinformation and blatant
willingness to ignore the human misery that their words implied.
I have had people tell me they support political candidates who, when
questioned, know little more than surface information about the
candidate. We are in a time here in the United States that
divisions between people have been fostered and cultivated by the
politicians and the religious extremists. And with a blind eye
to history far too many people are allowing this consciousness to
become ever more dominant in the race mind of the American people.
For many people, especially
non-Latinos, immigration reform is something that is not personal to
them and therefore they can be dismissive about it. But the
extremists in the anti-immigrant circles are all too aware of this and
are allowing this dismissive attitude to allow them to tell lies for
truth. If we look back at the history of the rise in power of
Hitler we can see this same pattern of dehumanizing Jews. To
call illegal immigrants "aliens" is to dehumanize
them. To call children born in the United States of illegal
immigrant parents "anchor babies" is to dehumanize
them. It is an attempt to deprive them of their individuality
and respect. In most dictionaries "dehumanize" is
defined as: "to deprive
of human
qualities or
attributes; divest
of individuality."
Isn't this what is happening in the current political discourse?
Even the Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, himself born of illegal
immigrant parents is pro-deportation of children born of illegal
immigrant parents. And Jeb Bush, who is married to a woman of
Mexican descent, used the term "anchor babies." This
is where "hate" begins and hate becomes dehumanizing in the
minds of those who hate and in the minds of those, too often, who are
hated.
Far too many people are heard to
say that Donald Trump is "entertaining" ... such a nice word
for a man who is so blind to human kindness and the moral integrity to
consider the consequences of his words and actions. Just how
many people do you think who showed up in the sports stadium in
Alabama to support and applaud Trump, call themselves Christian?
Is it the "Christ in him" that they were applauding?
We know better.
"Disregard
them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both
will fall into a pit." -
The Master Mind Jesus,
Matthew 15:14
"Those
who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led
astray."
-
The Prophet
Isaiah, Isaiah 9:16
"If
anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar;
for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God
whom he has not seen." -
The Apostle John, 1
John 4:20
First
they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for
the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for
the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came
for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
- Martin
Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who
emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last
seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
We
live in a world that history has proven that the impossible can become
possible; both the positive things and the negative. Here in the
United States we have 11-million illegal immigrants; families,
co-workers, neighbors and friends, who have lived in the shadows, in
fear, because our government which was established by immigrants, has
failed to treat them with dignity and respect. And, yes, there
are illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes, but so few
in comparison to the violent crimes committed by American
citizens.
Both
major political parties in the United States are guilty of using
immigration reform as a wedge issue with no real passion for reform or
change. And so we can come to the conclusion that politicians
cannot be depended on to resolve this issue. Only a change in
the collective consciousness of the people in this country will cause
the solution to be realized. And we change this collective
consciousness one individual at a time. When the consciousness
of Americans is lifted to the level of justice and brotherly love that
Martin Niemöller possessed
the politicians will be forced to elevate their consciousness
too. Why? Because Love, Intelligence, Power and Unity are
already available to us through the Presence of G-d, Infinite
Spirit. We just must stop believing the false evidence and know
that politics can't trump G-d Intelligence, Love, Power and Spirit ...
and let the Love of G-d reign Supreme in our minds, our hearts and our
souls ... and then let the Law of G-d delight in changing the world in
which we live!
AND
SO IT IS!
Keep
the
faith!
Rev.
Henry Bates
Please
share this message on Facebook or Twitter:
Share
QUESTIONS
... about this message?
contact Rev. Bates
