Thread: NumbersUSA: James Edwards on religious problem of amnesty nn

TESTIMONY: Dr. James Edwards before the House Immigration Subcommittee


By James Edwards, Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 6:00 PM EDT - posted on NumbersUSA

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. James Edwards confounded supporters of amnesty at a U.S. House hearing on Wednesday by providing scriptural and theological reasons why an amnesty would be unethical.

The hearing was conducted to make the case that there is an "ethical imperative" to reward millions of illegal aliens with permanent work permits and permanent residence in the U.S. But Dr. Edwards noted that showing that kind of mercy to illegal aliens would create a huge injustice against all the poor Americans who are unemployed. I suggest that you print or email this testimony for the pastor of your own congregation. -- ROY BECK, Founder & CEO of NumbersUSA.]

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Madame Chairman, Ranking Member King, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to appear before you today. It is right to consider how Scripture and Judeo-Christian principles should inform such public issues as immigration. I appreciate the opportunity to share my own considered views on this subject.

The critical point to begin from is to differentiate between what the Bible teaches are moral imperatives applicable to individuals and those that are applicable corporately. That is, some precepts might bind one as a Christian that do not apply to the United States government. Indeed, biblical precepts in which Christ requires us personally to show mercy or compassion or forgiveness might not apply to the civil government of the nation-state of which we are citizens. Sometimes, such application would actually be harmful and wrong.

First, I will discuss a key biblical principle that relates to today’s American immigration debate. Second, I will suggest some implications of “comprehensive immigration reformâ€

For example, Harvard economist George Borjas has attributed immigration with directly reducing yearly average native-born men’s wages by 4 percent, or $1,700, between 1980 and 2000.

Male high school dropouts have seen hourly wages fall 22 percent between 1979 and 2007, for example.

This does not take into account loss of the value of the dollar due to inflation.

Thank you very much Richard for posting this. It provides good argument against those who incorrectly use scripture as a reason for amnesty.

Psalm 139:14

Excellent!

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