“You
shall not murder.” Exodus 13
An army is
roaming about the United States killing, imprisoning, destroying people’s
lives. It is called ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Its main
leaders are the President of the United States, Donald J Trump, the Deputy
White House Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, Stephen
Miller, the Immigration Czar, Tom Homan, and the new head of Homeland Security Markwayne
Mullin.
There is
much in our country that I am troubled by for instance the corruption of the
president and the failure of Congress to do anything about it, but it is our
mistreatment of so many people by the leaders and organizations I have named
that has me deeply depressed. In another time militia who roamed our streets
wearing masks, driving unmarked cars, ramming other cars, shooting the drivers,
watching them die without helping them would be arrested by the police. In fact,
the police would undoubtedly shoot back at them and imprison them until they could
go to trial.
In another
time there would be no prisons for children. In another time no children as
young as three, without parents, family or guardians would be set before a
judge to have their fate decided. Yes, it is happening.
We are
becoming a nation who cares little for the helpless, the stranger, the
children, the orphan, the widow. The very ones that ancient Israel harmed and
because of it finally were sent into exile. (of course, they started down this
road because, they, while supposedly, existing as worshipers of God worshiped idols—deadly idols
that came from self-will and love of power—read Ezekiel chapter 8.)
But to see
people, some citizens, some who are not citizens but have lived here making a
living, raising families, lying on our streets bleeding out and law enforcement
nor city or government officials doing anything about it is unthinkable. It is
like a nightmare descending on us. It is as though another country; another government
has overpowered our democracy.
Congress
needs to standup to it all. To say enough, to pass laws to make it impossible
for an army of unknown members who disobey laws that should govern them, is
allowed to exist.
Trust in
Him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuse for
us.
Men of
low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; in the balances they go
up; they are all together lighter than breath.
Do not
trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery. If riches increase do
not set you heart upon them.
Once God
has spoken and twice I have heard this: That
power belongs to God; and loving kindness is yours O Lord. For you recompence a
man according to his work. (Psalms 62:8-12)
5 comments:
I think "Murder" is the wrong word here. I'd characterize the recent deaths as "tragic accidents." These accidents, though, happen more and more frequently when respect for the law disappears. Police become more fearful and react more violently as a result.
I seem to recall Paul writing, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities."
Jim Watts
Jim,
In a Constitutional Republic, the governing authority is The Constitution. "Every person" does not exclude ICE or even the POTUS. And the Constitution most emphatically includes them.
Respect for the Law starts with our Public Servants.
And let's just say we adopt the position that all these deaths are "tragic accidents". One sure way to prevent these accidents is to remove their side-arms. They don't need them. And the evidence is they don't know when and how to use them, anyway. As the responsible governing body in a Republic, we the People have a duty and a responsibility to hold our Public Servants accountable for the quality of their service; and to make sure they obey the Law, remain above suspicion and reproach, and insure they don't have any more "accidents".
Paul would be abhorred to think we are hiding from our moral and legal duties behind his words.
Jodie Gallo
Los Angeles, CA
Jim what on earth does this comment mean or imply? "These accidents, though, happen more and more frequently when respect for the law disappears." You are just saying the same thing over and over, insisting that it is those shot, murdered, whose fault it is. Here is something I wrote that will explain to you how I feel about obeying authority. And it is biblical: https://naminghisgrace.blogspot.com/2025/07/that-fox-christian-and-authoritarian.html
And Viola,
We do have to remember that our form of government is not (at least not yet) the same kind of autocratic authoritarian government Rome had. Authority in our form of government is given to a document, not a person. Our armed forces swear allegiance to a document, not a person. As do all our elected representatives, upon penalty of removal from office and criminal trial if they betray that allegiance and do not obey it.
Our form of government is modeled after the one Jesus envisioned, where we don't have rulers, but we have servants; and the greatest of all must be the servant of all. So when Paul speaks of "governing authorities", that instruction is now to be transplanted to our Constitution. The Highest Governing Authority in our America is the Constitution. Not POTUS. Not our elected representatives. Not the police. And certainly not ICE.
We must always strive to be true to that ideal, even if we often fail. (The motto of our local police department is "to protect and to serve". Do they always do that? No. But I have witnessed them do exactly that often enough that I believe they believe it, and try)
Sorry if I am repeating myself, but this is an important point our brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Churches are getting wrong, and it is part of the problem we face as a Nation today.
Jodie Gallo
Los Angeles, CA
Every case is different of course; but, yes, in some instances those who are killed are very much responsible for what happens. If I drive my car towards the police after I've been repeatedly ordered to stop, I can't really say that I'm a victim.
If I do that in my small town, where the police are respected, they would likely give me the benefit of the doubt and not shoot. If I did the same thing in one of the cities where folks blow whistles and actively interfere with law enforcement, I would be seen as a much greater threat.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'd like to see the confrontational rhetoric toned down. Calling ICE agents "murderers" is neither accurate nor helpful.
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