No, I am not comparing the issue of slavery to the issue of illegal aliens, only noting that the 19th-century Unitarian church was famous for its liberals and radicals in the cause of abolition, even when it meant breaking federal law.

Anon’s remark on Inquisition origins for liberation theology was… Words fail me.

Sorry, after reading the comments I have to admit, I was probably speaking of a different Fr. Bob than others. However, I meant to say, using anon’s wording, “only a dangerous radical acting in error” thinking he’s harmless, doesn’t make him so.

LT has many errors that don’t always include armed revolution. Try another blog for that discussion, remembering the adage, “To those who understand, no explanation is necessary; to those who do not understand, no explanation will suffice.”

At any rate, with regards to “going after religious” crossing a line, my boundary is what (s)he does in public, is up for public scrutiny (as in this case). And perhaps you would agree that aggressively going after priests who preyed on boys (in secret) would have prevented some of the abuses that were headlines a while back. Bishops who forgave their sins, but allowed them to stay in the population and not report them, practiced false charity, at the least. One might even consider it aiding & abetting.

Helping the poor while encouraging them to continue to break laws (or undermine the sovereignty of a nation) is false charity, too. Becoming a nation of lawlessness, from which many illegals come here to escape, is not helping anyone and is not charitable.

There are people who agree that the illegals are being exploited, but disagree on the solution. Enforcing the laws already on the books seems like a logical, good start. Revolution in a well-run (relatively speaking) country (otherwise why do so many flock here and wait years to become citizens?) does not.

I agree, anon, there are plenty of people I know who are going to Guatemala and adopting babies. If illegals just wanted a better life for their child, they would work within their country to better their conditions (with the help of churches), and/or offer the baby for adoption.

No. The message of Christianity is to share the good news that all our sins have been forgiven, and the only thing needed to accept this tremendous gift is an acceptance of Jesus Christ as your savior. See John 3:16 for the basic summary.

None of us Christians have the power to forgive sin. But when we confess our sins, we can look to the Bible which tells us that when we are truly repentant, and ask for forgiveness, that Jesus Christ is our intercessor and by his sacrifice, we are forgiven. See 1 John 1:9.

“Liberation theology also emphasizes individual self-actualization as part of God’s divine purpose for humankind. In other words, we are given life so that we may pursue it to its full potential. Therefore, obstacles or oppressions put in our path must be resisted and abolished.”

The Vatican has rejected this theory. It brings back issues from the past.

Knock off the anchor babies being legal citizens. That is a ruse just like marriage. I am sure there are thousands of legal citizens who would be delighted to adopt an anchor baby if the purpose was for the child to have a good life.

You said something about the fence: How do you think we will solve the problem of 40% of illegal aliens entering here legally?
Also, Do you think that the suprem court should rejject the right of granting citizenship to kids who were born here.
When you say anchor baby “chit” you are referring to american citizens. Since when you get marked when your parents commit crimes?
How do anchor babies help the parents to stay here?
First they have to become 21 to be able to ask the government to bring their parents legally. If the aprents are here illegally that is out of the question: They would have to leave the country and waiut 12 years to get an application. So if an illegal alien has a baby now, easily, he/she will be in his/her sixties before they can become legal.

Religious groups are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. This is part of the check and balance that exists. I would be disappointed if they did not. However, religions do not ignore justice. I believe that Fr. Bob Menard and his group would tell you that they are not opposed to stemming illegal immigraton nor are they opposed to deportation. They are simply not going to ingore those that are here and people who are in need. That is their job and their role. This makes them evil in the minds of some.

Several on this website seem to believe that anyone who does not agree with the radical right and can’t appreciate that these people see this as a lifes mission assume everyone is either a bleeding heart liberal who supports Mexicans Without Borders or must be, even worse, a Democrat.

Hatred has never sustained a movement. Germany 1934-1945.

As I have said before, I am wholly for a 700 mile fence, no anchor baby chit and no free education. I am not for name calling and hatred. I am for people doing their jobs and doing them well. The feds should do their part, locals theirs and priests and ministers theirs. And yes, I am for being nice. No it’s not a commandment, but it might come under Love thy Neighbor. And I can see where the maintream population does not have to love thy illegal neighbor, but don’t go after the peaceful religious who love everyone.

Take it up with Bush.

I have seen practiced: the priest will recommend to get medicine instead of waiting to die to get your treasure in heaven, they will recommend to get educated on family planning (not abortion), they will tell you about your rights as a human being, etc….
There have been some extremists who have used violence to solve the problems but I can count those with my fingers.
Should we go backj to mass in latin to get real with the world?
Any church has the responsibility of addressing the needs of human beings as as a whole, not just the spiritual part.
It is interestin g that we use the argument of separation of church and state or the one of non-for profit institutions supporting illegal alien groups by providing space.
How about schools renting space for churches?
Many things happen in this country but we tend to focus on the peripheral elements of the illegal immigration issue.
I don’t know what we are surprised by the fact that religious groups are supporting illegal aliens. They would be preaching the wrong thing. Isn’t the message of christianilty to forgive sin?

The food issue was brought up at the last meeting and Carlos Lambiosa buys the food himself for the members of the sub-committee.

anon - I put this comment on an earlier post- Hopefully Greg will do an actual post on the boycott, so everyone is sure to see it.

When you shop in Prince William County next week please make a point to tell the management that you are SUPPORTING their businesses because mexicanos sin fronteras and the woodbridge worker committee are boycotting them. Here is a list of the businesses that they are boycotting. You’ll get a kick out of one of them. Bet it won’t be hard for you all to figure out which one I’m talking about.
This is from a mexicanos sin fronteras flyer. DO NOT SPEND MONEY IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY- Do not by gas, clothes, food, school supplies, electronic, etc. DO NOT BUY at Potomac Mills, Manassas Mall, Wal-Mart, Giant, 7-11, Safeway, Food Lion Dollar stores, McDonalds, Taco Bell, pizzerias, restaurants, movies, etc. Be prepared by shopping in Fairfax, Arlington, Stafford, Alexandria and D.C.
I guess they are boycotting Manassas and Manassas Park also, since they are not included in “where” to shop. Boycott begins August 27 and ends September 3rd.

How about a post in the next day or two with details on the illegal alien protest, so that we know what to do to counteract it. It would be good to publish exact dates and details, and even store lists that they are boycotting so that we can be sure to shop there.