Entries by Admin

Religious Freedom and Constitutional Democracy

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There is in American political life a strong tendency to see any social or political phenomena as rooted ultimately in individual choice. States, churches, schools, families, all are said to be best understood by looking to the aims and goals of the persons who made agreements with each other to establish these entities. The view of these organizations as essentially voluntarist in nature is one of the hallmarks of the classical liberal understanding of political and social life.

Topic #3: Religious Freedom

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Please consider the following potential leading questions   #1: What is the scope, and what are the limits, if any, on “religious freedom” in the stipulation in the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?”   #2: What […]

From Principle to Policy: Navigating the Moral Terrain of Immigration Reform

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If there is one debate in American politics where an “alternative political conversation” is most needed, it is the debate over immigration reform. Perhaps because we are a nation of immigrants, perhaps because the debate connects with so many other sensitive policy issues, or perhaps because of deeply-felt but poorly-articulated fears concerning those who are different, the rhetoric that opponents level at each other—-and at immigrants themselves-—has been the opposite of what anyone would call Christian. Indeed, our lack of progress on the issue can be explained to a great extent by the way we talk about it.

Monkeying Around in the Uberstau

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The U.S. immigration system is an überstau. A complex, crowded, and expensive bureaucracy hinders the flow of immigrants into our country. This leads frustrated travelers to break the rules in order to reach their desired destination. Others respond to this with indignation; why should cheaters reap the benefits of incivility while rule followers are punished? America needs and wants an effective immigration system that meets the demands of firms for both high and low-skilled workers and provides opportunities for new citizens and temporary guests to experience personal prosperity while contributing to the common good. The best approach to achieving this end is market-based reforms that validate the humanity of all involved.

Loving the Undocumented Immigrant

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“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34
What is a thoughtful, Christian approach to the immigration issue? The above text from Leviticus is a starting point, but it is hardly the final word. It is too simple to say that the instructions laid down by God thousands of years ago for the ancient Israelites is what should determine American public policy towards immigration in the 21st century. Yet it is a starting point, since it highlights the fact that immigrants—whether they came here legally or illegally—have a great human worth that has been given them by God as his image bearers, a human worth we and our policies ought to acknowledge and respect.

Immigration and the Church as an Alternative Polis

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Harold Heie has named this series of discussions as “alternative political conversations.” Thinking about immigration this time around reminded me of a meaning of that phrase that perhaps Dr. Heie was not thinking of: the church as an “alternative polis” to such polities as nation-states. This theme, so important in recent Christian ethics, resonates perhaps nowhere more profoundly than with regard to this issue of (illegal) immigration.

Principles and Practice: Loving our Immigrant Neighbors

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The immigration issue is quite controversial and the rhetoric is often polarizing. Even in this highly-charged political climate, there is widespread agreement that the current immigration system desperately needs repair. In this essay, I suggest that we evaluate proposals for immigration reform by asking to what extent different options are compatible with core principles, and I offer some practical suggestions for how we can reach out to our immigrant neighbors right now.

Topic #2: Immigration

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Please consider the following potential leading questions   #1: What is your perception of the adequacy, or inadequacy, of current federal immigration law?   #2: Within the context of current federal immigration law, how can citizens and various non-governmental organizations support and provide assistance to the immigrant community?   #3: Given the tension that can […]