Alabama bishops criticize ALEC's immigration law

Some churches actually speak in public on what they profess to believe.

Campbell Robertson wrote for the New York Times 13 August 2011, Bishops Criticize Tough Alabama Immigration Law

Josh Anderson for the New York Times

CULLMAN, Ala. —On a sofa in the hallway of his office here, Mitchell Williams, the pastor of First United Methodist Church, announced that he was going to break the law. He is not the only church leader making such a declaration these days.

Since June, when Gov. Robert Bentley, a Republican, signed an immigration enforcement law called the toughest in the country by critics and supporters alike, the opposition has been vocal and unceasing.

Thousands of protesters have marched. Anxious farmers

and contractors have personally confronted their lawmakers. The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups have sued, and have been backed by a list of groups including teachers' unions and 16 foreign countries. Several county sheriffs, who will have to enforce parts of the new law, have filed affidavits supporting the legal challenges.

On Aug. 1, the Justice Department joined the fray, contending, as in a similar suit in Arizona, that the state law pre-empts federal authority to administer and enforce immigration laws.

And on that same day, four bishops sued.

An Episcopal bishop, a Methodist bishop and a Roman Catholic archbishop and bishop, all based in Alabama, sued on the basis that the new statute violated their right to free exercise of religion, arguing that it would "make it a crime to follow God's command to be Good Samaritans."

Are there any churches in Georgia that have the courage of their convictions?

How about any churches in Lowndes County brave enough to oppose a CCA private prison in Lowndes County? Wouldn't that tax money be better spent rehabilitating former prisoners and educating our children?

-jsq

PS: Owed to Jane Osborn.

Comments

[George Boston Rhynes]

No! No! No! No way, the church and politics must be kept separate and has no grounds for getting involved in these type issues as you will see in the link below. The Church or religion cannot have it both ways.

Everbody knows that religion and politics are separate and these clergy men and women must understand this. Who has awaken them these sleeping giants? Was it the "Lake Front?"

Well, I am happy that they are no longer asleep, and what ever moved them from their confort zone need to keep it going! Peace, love, and understanding.

[George Boston Rhynes]

Churches and pastors need to view this video and see about these animals. That is since we read so much information about the Animal Shelter in our area about abused animals. What about these animals and the thirty deaths that no elected official, church, human being or orgnzations seem to care about.

Did you know that Valdosta-Lowndes County Jail is leading the State of Georgia in Jail Deaths for whatever reason. Yet, no one is talking about these people many of whom are military veterans that served their nation. So where is the humanity to man?

Yes, we have had 30 jail deaths since 1994 to 2009 and not the Lowndes County Attorney has put it in a letter in so many words that the Valdosta-Lowndes County Sheriffs Department is not subject to the Georgia Open Records Act. Therefore, local citizens does not have a right or need to know just how many jail deaths have actually ocurred i our jail. How sad? But then again, who really cares about these below level animals as many local reverse followers of the Messiah Jesus. The one that many of us; proclaim to be following in our attenpt to gain access into the hearafter. Peace, love and real understanding.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3930808120854021155#

[Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange]

Um, George, didn't you used to be the president of the local NAACP chapter? NAACP and SCLC are Christian organizations, if I'm not mistaken. MLK was a preacher; Malcolm X was a minister of Islam. If they hadn't advocated for changing some laws the Voting Rights Act of 1964 probably never would have been passed. The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...." Churches are prohibited from many specific political activities if they want to retain their tax-exempt status: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html What these churches are doing is not among the prohibited activities. Me, I think everyone should get up and stand up. Six days out of seven I post for everyone. One day a week I post something on this one issue for churches. -jsq

[George Rhynes]

Well said, and thanks for all that you do in our community to get the word out to the general public. Again, I commend you for your outstanding work. George Boston Rhynes........

[Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange]

Just following your example, George; you've been doing this far longer than we have. -jsq