JH> But just because our laws are more lenient than others doe
JH> that mean our laws in this respect are correct?
RC> That depends upon what you consider the purpose of
RC> immigrantion and naturalization policy.
JH> The history of the laws suggests that the reasons are to
JH> maintain a distinctly white, european country. Sounds
JH> racist to me.
JH>  The history of the laws is this: when there was an influx of immigration
JH> from Ireland thanks to the potato famine, TPTB in the eastern US decided
JH> that they didn't want "that" kind of person coming to this country and 
thus
JH>  began immigration quotas.
RC> ::snip::
JH> But there is a higher standard that we have to compare our
JH> actions to. The real question is not whether our laws are
JH> more lenient than x country's laws, but instead how do our
JH> laws compare to the higher standard?
RC> What higher standard?
JH> God's standard.
RC> I'm not being flip, but exactly where in the Bible does Go
RC> address immigration? Seems to me that's one of the items
RC> falling under "Render unto Caesar...".
JH>  I know you're not being "Flip";)  But seriously, I just speak about the
JH> New Testament policy of non racism  in the "there are neither Jews nor
JH> Greeks, neither bond nor free" context.  If God sees us in a non racial
JH> context then we should strive to see  each other the same way.
'nuff quotin methinks.
        Actually, I think the questionn should be pertaining to enforcing
existing laws on the books.  If this were done, there would be fewer 
roblems.
Now, as to higher standards as per that from G-d himself, the Bible does
mention "Strangers, Sojourners, etc".  It does not mention immigrants or
emigrants.  Of note is that there is a thrust toward ".... having nothing to
do with those amongst the children of G-d of the Bible who were strangers or
sojourners, etc.  As such, if we followed this alone, we would be avoiding
others of foreign origin in most everything.
        There is the option in old covenant of permitting the "gentile" to
worship G-d in the "Court of the Gentiles" which was the area around the
Tabernacle or the Temple that was dedicated to G-d for purposes of worship.
The Jesus of the New Covenant got upset when he found entrepreneurs using 
his
area for business instead of the gentiles using it.  IE: The strangers,
sojourners, or `gentiles' were given an access to worship in a designated 
rea
only, but not in the Temple proper.
        In the New Covenant, Paul's (Saul of Tarsus) travels went >out of the
area< to evangelize the world.  This opened the world that  non-Jews could
participate with G-d.  Essentially, the two basic factions of the worship
would be Judaism and the Gentiles (including the RC church.).
        >> This is not Religeon, but basic History. <<
        We can conclude that immigration was permitted but all were shunned.
perhaps ostracised or set apart.  This would (without liberal meddling) be a
situation of any of us going to any country, but unable to partake of the
benefits of that foreign country.
        In this country, the foreigner would be permitted in, but unable to
participate in the benefits of the fellowship of US Citizenship.  This would
be a newer and unique situation.
        If any wish for further historical references or explanation, please
so indicate.  I will not delve into the religeous aspects.
Thankee Y'awl
tg & rb
þ MxLight 1.9 þ
þ Science without Religion is lame - Albert Einstein
--- Aeolus v1.2.1 (#49820837)
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