A Local Pastor and a Local Atheist Debate UnCrossed: Let’s Welcome, Not Reject Refugees

Dec. 11, 2015

A Local Pastor and a Local Atheist Debate UnCrossed: Let’s Welcome, Not Reject Refugees

Rev. Dr. William C. Myers

Senior Pastor at Presbyterian Church of Traverse City

My first thought when I saw images of Syrian refugees fleeing their war torn country was how easy it would be for terrorists to mingle, like wolves in sheep’s clothing. My second thought, as a Christian: We still must help!

There is more to being a Christian than praising God for our prosperity. There is the undeniable call of Christ to lay down our lives for his sake (Luke 9:23ff).

The question for Christians is not: Is it safe to care for refugees? The question is: How shall we care for refugees safely? Those responsible for providing aid and assisting refugee families in resettlement must do everything possible to keep the process safe. Borrowing Jesus’ words, we must be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves." However, Jesus would never let the "wisdom" of safety limit our capacity for compassion.

In a recent op-ed article on the Migration Policy Institute website, co-founder, Kathleen Newland, wrote:

"I think the concerns [over accepting Syrian refugees] are very much misplaced"¦ The United States has resettled 784,000 refugees since September 11, 2001. In those 14 years, exactly three resettled refugees have been arrested for planning terrorist activities – and it is worth noting two were not planning an attack in the United States and the plans of the third were barely credible."

784,000 to 3! While it only takes one, clearly we have more to fear from terrorists born in America, than those who might migrate here.

Seeking to escape political persecution, Jesus’ family sought refuge in Egypt. In this Christmas season, it is clear what he would have us do. May we have the faith to do his will.

Gary Singer

Gary helps businesses with their Internet marketing. He was raised a Catholic.

I have become increasingly disheartened reading about our leaders advising against welcoming displaced Syrian refugees. The Statue of Liberty proclaims, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"¦" Those of us who are not Native American either are from another country or descended from someone who is. This backlash is sourced in Islamophobia – bigotry disguised as an attempt to protect our shores.

The terrorism we should be concerned about arises from easy access to guns. This year, there have been mass shootings in America by American citizens more than once a day on average. There have been a total of zero terrorist plots carried out by the 7.5-million refugees/asylum seekers admitted to the U.S. in the last 35 years. We have far more to fear from ourselves than from families fleeing dysfunctional governments.

Regardless of whether your beliefs are theistic, we have a moral imperative to help others in need. Beyond that, with the mass exodus of Mexicans and Central Americans returning to their homelands, we could actually benefit from an influx of workers who welcome any opportunity to provide for their families.

Some of those leading the polls to become our next president feel differently. Donald Trump says we have "absolutely no choice" but to close mosques! Ben Carson feels accepting refugees "exposes us to danger." Ted Cruz states that admitting Syrian refugees is "nothing less than lunacy."

If America intends to improve its standing internationally, a good place to begin is by demonstrating leadership and doing our part to help those in need. We are talking about suffering, starving human beings. If we choose to ignore them, we are no better than those who have turned them away.

While Bill and Gary remain on different sides of the fence on many issues, in deference to the season they are coming together for this month’s column. Both agree strongly that the refugee issue deserves their united attention.