Recently the Ravalli County Commissioners held a meeting taking community comment on a proposal to voice Ravalli County’s opposition to the relocation of Syrian refugees to the Bitterroot Valley. We feel that the results of that meeting expose the continuance of a long and hateful history of America’s distrust and fear of minorities. Nearly every minority that has come to our shores has faced unwarranted hostility. The Irish, the Italians, the Chinese, the Jews, the Blacks, the Japanese, and now Muslims have all faced an irrational anger and fear. We reject this bias and choose to, instead, see these people in their humanity in the hour of their need. Those who would divide us want us to fear one another and suspect the worst.
We will not live ruled by our fear. Could someone dangerous slip through the system? The possibility exists, but we believe it is negligible. Over and over again the pages of our scriptures tell us to not be afraid. From God’s appearances to Moses, to the angel appearing to Mary, to Jesus appearing to his disciples, the message is the same: Do not be afraid. We will not give in to the fear propaganda. The facts tell a different story. The vetting process for refugees is extensive and sufficient and we live in the truly American tradition of welcoming the storm-tossed and dispossessed.
As the Church we are called to a higher standard. Israel was told to welcome and honor the stranger because the Israelites, too, were once strangers. Jesus offered his blessing on any who would welcome the stranger and give relief to the oppressed, saying that by ministering to them, we were doing it for Him (Matthew 25:36-40). We believe that every person is a Child of God and every family is a Holy Family. It is our intention therefore to offer sanctuary to the dispossessed. Any Syrian Muslims who relocate to the Bitterroot Valley will find welcome and safety in our faith community. We will do all in our power to help resettle anyone who comes recognizing the terrible circumstances that have driven them from their homes. To do otherwise would be to fail in our Christian calling. We do not fault those who propose to turn our brothers and sisters away, but neither will we abide by it.
Pastor Doug Garner, Pastor Dan Dixson, Pastor Wendy Campbell
First Christian Church, Hamilton
Helen Sabin says
Obviously the writer of this opinion piece forgot the following attacks on the US and its people. What will it take for him to learn that MUSLIMS are taught hatred of the Infidel from the time they are young and for all of their lives? In case he forgot here is a reminder:
• 1968, Bobby Kennedy killed by a Muslim male.
• 1972, at the Munich Olympics, Israeli athletes were kidnapped and massacred by MUSLIMS.
• In 1972, a Pan Am 747 was hijacked and blown up by MUSLIMS.
• In 1973, a Pan Am 707 was destroyed with grenades by MUSLIMS.
• In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by MUSLIMS.
• 1980’s – a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by MUSLIMS.
• 1983, US Marine barracks in Beirut blown up by Muslims.
• In 1985, the cruise ship Achille Lauro hijacked and a 70-year old American was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by MUSLIMS.
• 1985, TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens.
• 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 bombed by MUSLIMS.
• 1993, the World Trade Center bombed by MUSLIMS.
• 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by MUSLIMS.
• 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked;
• Thousands of people were killed by Muslim males.
• In 1983 – The bombing attacks on the U.S. and French embassies in Beirut ahead of the slaughter at the Marine barracks later that year.
• 2000 – The seaborne attack on the USS Cole in October that left 17 US Navy sailors dead.
• 2002, the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against MUSLIMS.
• 2002, reporter Daniel Pearl and two American journalists beheaded by MUSLIMS!
• SEPT 11 2012: 4 men died in Benghazi and were killed by MUSLIMS (and the Democratic administration!)
• 2013, Boston Marathon Bombing -4 Innocent people, and 264 people injured by MUSLIM REFUGEES!
• December 2015, 14 people killed by MUSLIMS in San Bernardino.
• Need I mention France, England and Belgium and the problems they are having with MUSLIMS?