Not so fast: Evangelicals differ with their leaders on immigration reform

Many leaders support citizenship moves, but rank and file differ

By David Ward, Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Feb. 21 2013 11:35 p.m. MST

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Summary

Evangelicals are not largely behind comprehensive immigration reform, which is commonly taken to mean a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and, simultaneously, measures for improved enforcement of immigration law.

"It's shameless the way these evangelical leaders will take these arguments and put a thin veneer of religiosity on top of it. As a Christian, we do want to help the needy. And that's through Christian charity — a person giving his own resources in the name of Christ to the needy."

Fischer said that any discussion of compassion must also include compassion for the people who have been waiting in line for years to come legally, as well as compassion for American citizens who have borne welfare, law enforcement, education and medical care costs at a time when jobs are scarce and family finances are tight.

"I do think that evangelicals, because we place a high value on love and compassion, can easily be fooled into compromising justice based on a shallow understanding of compassion," he said.

email: dward@deseretnews.com

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JanSan

Pocatello, ID

Thank you!
This is the first article I have read from Deseret News that explains how I feel.
I get so tired of reading article after article saying that I am basically a bad person or a bad Christian because I think that there is a More..

4:52 a.m. Feb. 22, 2013
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Shazandra

Bakersfield, CA

Thank you for a well-written, accurate description of the different opinions within the evangelical community.

Richard Land may formerly have represented Southern Baptists at the Convention, but his group does not speak for the millions More..

8:26 a.m. Feb. 22, 2013
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Say No to BO

Mapleton, UT

Thank you for the insight. Missing from the article was any information about a disconnect between LDS members and statements from Church HQ. Believe me, it exists.
And I would dare say the Catholics have the same disconnect.
At the end More..

9:20 a.m. Feb. 22, 2013
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