This was shared by Dalton Thomas, who produced "Covenant and Controversy."
· Brian van Deventer · Voúla, Greece ·
My role often dictates, and my natural inclination, is to avoid divisive debates - especially on social media. But I'm sticking this one out there because of what crosses my screen. And it is important.
My friends, when did it become evident that a desire for caution and security, and a desire for and belief in compassion are antithetical or mutually exclusive? I happen to believe that those who are opposed and aconcerned about bringing masses of migrants to our shores (wherever that may be) are not all hard-hearted hate-mongerers lacking compassion. I also know that not all of us who argue for sensible relocation of people suffering a humanitarian crisis of amazing proportion are not all doves with our heads in the sand or eyes stuck in the skies lacking in insight. The two can be compatible, especially when we understand the nature of nations and the Church and their unique roles.
Yes, it is true that the vast majority of people on the refugee trail and in the camps (speaking of here in Greece primarily) are Muslim. That is the demographic of the nations of origin. And the point that Christian minority from these countries often have financial means to migrate differently than through the path of refugees is also true, though not entirely.
I share many practical concerns about the current situation, but I especially want people (leadership in particular) to be careful about their reactions and propositions.
I have shared other posts about this, but we are in danger of further harming the hurting in many instances by judging them as complicit, or at least compliant, with the extremist forces - which ARE there, and ARE coming through avenues opened by legitimate refugee flows, a la Paris. I am circumspect and cautious - and well aware that in the midst of this all, there is indeed an agenda to move masses of Muslims westward. I am not naive.
But I believe even greater that 1) there is legitimate human suffering involved here that must be addressed from a Kingdom perspective, even as we expect our governments to do what they must to secure the safety and health of nations. It is not dichotomous to say the government must do its job, and we must support that, while still viewing things and speaking as the Church with compassion, and the expectancy that 2) the intention for wrong can be turned to good. This is the opportunity for the Church to reach many that may never have been reached before. There is an immense Kingdom opportunity, if we can avoid being seized by fear, misconception or apocalyptic doom and gloom - all of which are out there in varying degrees. I am all for wisdom and caution. I am more for "the gates of hell shall not prevail".
And, finally, as one living in a small, devastated country being landed by tens of thousands of refugees per week, I wonder if those who would like to refuse dissemination of these people (and people they are), would leave them all piled up in a country too small, too poor, too defunct to care for them in the most minimal of ways, no less mitigate the dangers that may be present among them, when the greater nations declare themselves incapable of doing so. I feel for the situation from all sides. I just feel that our leaders need to be more circumspect than what we are witnessing.
Those at work in the camps and along the trail will tell you: these are largely people in great need looking for a way to live life free of threats, bombs and tragedy, just like the rest of us. Many. Many are women and children. Most. Most are not hateful and bent on our destruction. And yes. Yes, some of them are. People, however, are not demographics. They are people. And whether they are Christian, Muslim, Agnostic, Atheist or other, they are our neighbors.
Follow the actual flow of refugees at this link:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911
The debate needs a much wider perspective than safety OR compassion. Please.
