To prevail

This week has challenged me to question how I see God, and how that may be different from how others see and experience God. Throughout my life, I’ve come to see how others practice faith and the ways that it may differ from my own practice. Recently, that idea has come back into my mind for several reasons.

Church World Service is part of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, and—as mentioned in my last blog post—working in an interfaith environment has been an eye-opening experience. I have seen firsthand how acts of piety may differ between different religious backgrounds, but can still come together in the same acts of justice. It helps me embrace the future of religious diversity and coexistence.

However, there have also been acts taken within the past week that have disheartened me, particularly as a United Methodist. The current world of immigration and refugee reform is one of constant reaction to the newest blow. I am not sure if this week is particularly bad. It probably isn’t, but I wish it was. On Monday, June 11 (four days ago), Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the US would no longer consider domestic violence a valid reason to seek asylum in the US. Then, just three days later on Thursday, June 14, he and White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders attempt to justify separating families at the border using (none other than) the Bible. More specifically, they use a verse from Romans 13 that says we should obey the laws of the government (meaning, should someone disobey those laws due to already unjust policies that keep them from immigrating or seeking refuge in the “proper” manner, it is right for their families to be torn apart at the border?). Hearing that Jeff Sessions is a United Methodist (and therefore, can be seen by the public as a representative of the UMC) just sickens me more.

The use of the Bible as a justification for discrimination is a historic tactic, and it is sad to see that the Word was once again twisted in this sick way. I do have hope, though. Sessions and Sanders were met with a huge backlash from the Christian community. I am proud to say that both the United Methodist Church and Church World Service responded using the same exact chapter. A few verses down from the one that Sessions quoted, Romans 13 states, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”

God, Christianity, and the Bible can be misconstrued in so many ways in order to support unjust acts. Despite this, I remain hopeful; I have seen how acts of true justice prevail, even among different worshipping bodies. Justice prevails. Love prevails.

Nica Sy

Blog Post 2

6/15/18