Texas Baptist Forum
Posted: 1/05/07
Texas Baptist Forum
‘Fixing’ immigration
The recent well-publicized immigration raid on the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Cactus, in the Texas Panhandle, serves as a troubling reminder that our immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed.
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 “Being in the position I am today, I do feel like a looking glass, where people living in the West can view Islam, and Muslims can view another culture. I feel comfortable looking at both and living in these two distinct zones.” Yusuf Islam The singer/songwriter formerly known as Cat Stevens, speaking about how his 1978 conversion to Islam allows him to live in two different realms (USA Today/RNS) “I’m not in the ‘Who’s Who’ of Baptists. I’m in the ‘Who’s He?’ of Baptists.” “Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain. So conform to it—or don’t come here. We don’t want the hatemongers, whatever their race, religion or creed.” “You meet the Lord in prayer every day. The idea of meeting him is, while disquieting, not something I think I am afraid of.” |
Texas businesses want and need to follow the law. Unfortunately, they lack a sensible and reliable system to verify an employee’s legal status.
Employers are forced to navigate tricky waters each time they make a hire. Texas businesses must deal with complex immigration regulations; a glut of seemingly valid, but sometimes counterfeit, worker identification documents; and the threat of discrimination lawsuits if they ask the “wrong” questions about employees’ documents.
Enforcement alone will not fix our immigration system, and it has failed in the past. We can’t just build walls around a broken system. We need to fix the system to make sure we achieve real security, restore law and order, and have enough workers to continue growing our economy.
It is time for a serious solution to this serious challenge. It is time for Congress to act.
Bill Hammond, president
Texas Association of Business
Austin
Christians & unbelievers
Regarding your editorial, “Wanted: More compelling Christians. How and with whom should Christians cooperate?” (Dec. 4.)
Yes, there are times we must cooperate with Christians of other views and nonbelievers. But Scripture does warn us not to be unequally yoked. I agree with you in that I have a greater problem with Rick Warren associating with the likes of Bill Gates, even though Barak Obama and I are lightyears apart on political views.
I remember a quote by Bob Harrington made many years ago in which he stated, “Jesus associated with the hogs, but he didn’t get in the mud and wallow with them.” That’s where we as Christians (including Warren) must be very careful in our endeavors with those outside our faith. It may get to the point we’re so covered with mud no one can tell us apart.
F.A. Taylor
Kempner
Bigger picture
I am no ostrich hiding my head in the sand. I am as disappointed as many others in light of what has happened to our church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley. How important it is for us to look at what our denomination is all about at this time. Associations and conventions enable us to do things as a group that individual churches cannot accomplish on their own. This has not changed.
Over 5,000 overseas missionaries are depending on our support. As one who spent 32 years in another country, I know what it means to be completely free to dedicate oneself totally to the Lord’s work with no worries, knowing that salary, housing, medical needs, and car and its upkeep would be there, regardless. Our missionaries are counting on us—a significant percentage coming through the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
We should never forget that every penny contributed to denominational causes is the Lord’s money and should be handled with reverence. These will, however, always be handled by human beings—sometimes the wrong human beings. But one misstep is dwarfed in comparison to what has been accomplished and will be accomplished with the remaining monies.
Now, more than ever, we must look at the bigger picture. To let up on our giving at this time would simply harm other causes. We know the Lord will multiply our gifts many times over.
Helen Nixon
San Angelo
Right thing
Congratulations to Charles Wade for doing the right thing concerning the Rio Grande Valley probe (Dec. 18).
By turning over the evidence to government officials, this will remove any perceived coverup or protection of supposed friends of anyone working for the convention.
While this is a step in the right direction, I would like to see him renounce the statements made by the chair upon the advice of the parliamentarians to thwart the will of the convention in session!
This would go even further in healing the division this situation has caused.
Michael Simons
Cleburne
The message of the Baby Jesus
I love it when a brother or sister causes so much scriptural thought as David Page’s letter on “Baby Jesus” (Dec. 18).
The Baby: Scriptural both in the Old Testament and New Testament. I would say it is worthy to be taught. So prevalent at this time of year. Why? It is the time we celebrate His birth.
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The first Christmas: A humble Baby, in a humble manger, in a humble barn, with humble worshippers, in humble attire. The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, born to be a humble servant to die a sinner’s death. Brother, that’s meat.
As we enter our monuments of worship in our Sunday best, have we really forgotten the message of the “Baby Jesus” ?
Where is our humility?
Ross H. Hardwick
Devine