Opinion: Demonizing of immigrants doesn't follow Bible teachings

Henry Zorn
Mon, November 14, 2022 

A bunch of "mostly white and older" Christians gathered in Liberty Township to hear about the dangers that immigrants bring to our country ("Scary immigrant tales often false," Nov. 2). I am also an old, white, Christian guy but that may be where the similarities end. Once again, I am reminded that there is a chasm between various expressions of Christianity.

The Center for Christian Virtue and the Heritage Foundation caricature and stereotype immigrants as a danger because they smuggle fentanyl across the border. Where have we heard that language before? Our former president repeated the lie about immigrants incessantly during his campaign in 2016, "They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

The sponsors of this event have not only demonized immigrants, but they have also misinterpreted the Bible and co-opted Jesus Christ. From beginning to end, the Bible proclaims a clear mandate to provide care for widows, orphans, aliens and sojourners. The Evangelical Immigration Table identifies 40 Bible passages that relate to immigrant care. Jesus taught that we are to see him in the stranger and welcome him. In the biblical Nativity stories, the infant Jesus is twice refugeed. In the first instance, there was no room for the Holy Family in Bethlehem, and in the second instance, they were refugeed in Egypt as they fled King Herod.

The old white guys at this gathering would benefit from getting out of their echo chamber and meeting some immigrants in person. In five congregational trips to Guatemala, I have found the people to be industrious, generous, kind and deeply faithful. Our church began an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program in 2017. We have hosted immigrants from over 35 countries in our classes. Each of them wants to learn our language, assimilate into our culture, find work opportunities and contribute to the community in positive ways.

While it is not our intention to proselytize, one of the women, a Syrian, has befriended some of our members and has started worshiping with us while wearing her hijab. She is drawn to the kindness and welcome of our church and interested in the gospel of Jesus. We are drawn to her humility, kindness and generosity, especially her Syrian delicacies.

In my journey from being a middle-aged white guy to an old white guy, I have discovered that God gives us diversity as a gift. My life has been enriched by my immigrant friends. Relationships change everything. In February 2017, the New York Times reported on an undocumented Mexican in a small town in southern Illinois. He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The man had lived in the United States since the 1990s. He managed a Mexican restaurant and was a role model of civic involvement. His wife and three children were all American citizens. All of the leaders of the town worked to have the man released. The shocking surprise was that 70% of the town had voted for President Trump. More important than their vote was their relationship with the immigrant.

Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio

U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson was quoted in the story warning of "a more woke version of Christianity, or heresy" as he refers to it. I would like to invite Mr. Davidson to join me outside of his fear-filled silo of isolation. We could drink a beer, smoke a cigar, and complain about the Bengals because that is what all old white guys in Cincinnati do. Then I would like to bring him to one of our ESOL classes. Perhaps it would serve as a wake-up call from those who are woke. He’ll discover that immigrants are children of God and bear God’s Spirit, just like us.

Relationships change everything. Through the transforming power of God’s Spirit, there is even hope for old white guys.

Rev. Henry Zorn is pastor of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Anderson Township.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Opinion: Demonizing of immigrants doesn't follow Bible teachings