Of Immigration and Jesus

What do we do when the law of the land requires us to violate the Gospel of Jesus?

This past week the governor of Arizona signed into law the strictest, some say harshest, law regarding immigrants that exists in our land. Folks from all over the political spectrum are weighing in. Jim Wallis of Sojourners Magazine wrote a brief response. Wallis has built his reputation on his balanced political stances and his careful reading of the Christian scriptures. He has this to say of the new law in Arizona:

“The law signed today by Arizona Gov. Brewer is a social and racial sin, and should be denounced as such by people of faith and conscience across the nation. It is not just about Arizona, but about all of us, and about what kind of country we want to be. It is not only mean-spirited – it will be ineffective and will only serve to further divide communities in Arizona, making everyone more fearful and less safe. This radical new measure, which crosses many moral and legal lines, is a clear demonstration of the fundamental mistake of separating enforcement from comprehensive immigration reform. Enforcement without reform of the system is merely cruel. Enforcement without compassion is immoral. Enforcement that breaks up families is unacceptable. This law will make it illegal to love your neighbor in Arizona, and will force us to disobey Jesus and his gospel. We will not comply.”