Yesterday,
Christy, Candace, and I trekked down to Holloman Air Force Base and shopped in
the PX (Post Exchange), BX or Base Exchange to my Air Force brethren. We
enjoyed being on a military installation again. The orderly neatness, the
clearly labeled buildings, the subdued hustle of servicemen and servicewomen
going about their duties, the crisp salutes at the gate, and the lack of litter
wrapped us in the comfortable blanket of military life. All of this is
undergirded by a joint understanding of the rules and the roles of everyone
involved. As a retiree, I enjoy a minor place in the orderly military machine.
It is specified. Christy and I have certain rights and privileges, and limits.
I’ve left the active ranks. During the duty day, soldiers in uniform, airmen in
this case, may go to the head of the line in the PX or Commissary to facilitate
a rapid return to duty. No longer part of the mission, no longer subject to
field training exercises, no longer subject to deployments, I stand on the
periphery. I understand this and gladly follow the rules which order this time
in my military life. Rules bring order. Rules ease personal interactions. Rules
help keep chaos at bay. But rules are not the ultimate good.
I’ve
watched events surrounding the treatment of the families of aliens at our
borders with growing dismay. Through legal machinations we, as a nation,
separate children from their parents. According to our executive spokesperson,
we do this as part of the “rule of law.” And when pressed regarding the severe
nature of this action, they referenced the Biblical imperative of following the
law as their justification. Indeed, Romans 13, I Peter 2, and other passages
require believers, Christians, to live law abiding lives. As a professional
soldier, cum teacher, I strongly support following the rules. After all, much
of my professional life revolves around equitable rules justly enforced. I
understood the rules governing military life and submitted to their
restrictions. I expect my students to comply with the guidelines that govern
life in my classroom. A citizenry the follows the laws generates a peaceful
society. A government the operates within the rule of law generally results in
a prosperous country. So, as a Christian do I sit back, hands folded, and watch
this unfold? After all, the executive branch is pursuing a legal course of
action.
One
thing I’ve discovered during my professional life, military and civilian,
legality does not equate to morality. Enacting a law, no matter the political
party, does not make enforcement a matter of justice. In Isaiah 10:1-2 the
prophet condemns “…those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who
keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice…” I understand
the need of a modern nation to exert some manner of control over its borders.
Throwing open the gates and crying out, “allee, allee income free,” may not be
the wisest of actions; however, neither is the callous separation of parents
and children. As a Christian, one who must cry out against injustice, I must
raise my voice against such iniquitous decrees. Iniquity carries the
implication of continual heinous behaviors and I believe this law is iniquitous,
evil, and morally indefensible.
As
Christians we must speak truth to power. We must not stand idly by and let the
powerful twist scripture to rationalize such abhorrent treatment of the weak. If
we want to maintain our prophetic voice, we must stand against such immoral
laws. We must work to overturn such policies and encourage our government to
adopt more civil enforcement practices. We must not let those who traffic in
fear, who delight in strengthening their positions of power by abusing the
weakest among us, continue uncriticized and unchecked. The situation at our
border is not so dire as to justify such callous and inhumane treatment of the
poor among us. Surely, we can spare a little of God’s great blessing. Surely,
we can spare a cup of water for the thirsty and tend to those in such great
need.
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