Thread: Controversial issue to spark fiery debate in Charlotte tonig

Controversial issue to spark fiery debate in Charlotte tonight

Posted: Apr 20, 2011 8:38 AM EDT Updated: Apr 20, 2011 8:43 AM EDT
By Derrick Rose, Reporter - bio | email

Controversial issue takes center stage in Charlotte


CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Immigration is a topic that tears at the deepest emotions, and will be fueled in Charlotte Wednesday night by a powerful voice on the subject: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL).

Gutierrez is a lawmaker whose actions follow his words. He was willing to be arrested in Washington in 2010 for his beliefs on immigration reform.

"Often times with the primary bread-winner gone, they're facing economic challenges, they're facing eviction, all these other challenges and their children often are us citizens being impacted," Charlotte Latin American Coalition representative Ruben Campillo said.

Neither side believes the congressman can solve the issue in one night, but they're confident this debate will spark another fiery political season.

"We want the laws to change to reflect the realities that we live," Campillo added.

'We want illegal immigrants to go home and a lot of people are getting tired of telling them that," Gheen countered.

Gutierrez will speak at the Allen St. church at 6:30pm Wednesday night.

Campillo and the Coalition is giving Gutierrez the stage, suggesting the majority of undocumented immigrants in North Carolina are productive citizens and deportation is not the answer.

That's compared to laws that would give them a chance to become legal residents.

But amnesty, as opponents like William Gheen call that idea, is a worse way to go.

"For Americans and legal immigrants those deportations mean job opportunities, pressure on wages increases, increased classroom availability, decreased pressures on healthcare facilities, less stolen taxpayer resources, less felonious voting behavior," said Gheen of Raleigh-based Americans for Legal Immigration PAC.

That's the issue the congressman will address when he speaks at St. Paul Baptist Church, specifically, deportation and it's effect on the immigrant community.

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14480609

This should not be happening in a church. Issues of nationality and citizenship are NOT theological or spiritual issues and clearly cross the line of church-state separation. Where are the complaints of 501c3 religious corporation violations? Obviously, Americans United for Separation of Church and State would never take up an issue against one of their own. They just target evangelical groups. That leaves it to conservative groups to do so.

there is a 2:30 Video at source link

Welcome to our church beyond walls!

Perhaps the greatest challenge to the church today is to provide viable and relevant ministry to a constantly changing and evolving community. The task is often difficult because most people are allergic to and resist change. As a result, many churches have become stagnant, complacent and irrelevant. This does not mirror the founder and head of the church, Jesus Christ. The ministry of Jesus was packed full of adventure and excitement and remains relevant even to the present age.

At Saint Paul, we embrace the opportunity to provide meaningful and vibrant ministry to our community. We strive to find "new ways of doing old things" in an attempt to address the ills and issues of our day. Following the example of Christ, we offer hope, healing, restoration, salvation and liberation in the context of the culture in which we move and live. We further strive to honor time tested, biblically sound and relevant traditions. We desire to be a "Ray of Hope" to the larger Charlotte community and the world beyond.

Hence, we focus our energies in five areas of ministry. Discipleship, Worship, Service, Evangelism and Fellowship. We believe it is our mandate to reach for the burdened, bruised and bound; hurt, hopeless and homeless; sick, sinful and sorrowful. Providing for them a ray of hope, we embrace and act upon our Lord's mandate. "To Convince the Unconvinced to be Convinced and make Disciples."

Gregory K. Moss, Sr.

Pastor

For more information, contact:
Saint Paul Baptist Church
1401 Allen Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28205
Tel: xxxx-xxx-xxxx
http://www.spbcnc.org/default.htm

Originally Posted by Captainron

This should not be happening in a church. Issues of nationality and citizenship are NOT theological or spiritual issues and clearly cross the line of church-state separation. Where are the complaints of 501c3 religious corporation violations? Obviously, Americans United for Separation of Church and State would never take up an issue against one of their own. They just target evangelical groups. That leaves it to conservative groups to do so.

I called and got a lady that said that she did not know anyone named Luis Gutierrez, and that there were some "people" that were going to be "using the faccliities" at 6:30PM tonight. I mentioned the church and state seperation Issue and she kept saying that there were people coming that are just "using the facility". Very evasive and not willing to talk about It at all. TS