Group 4: Tess Summers, Alexandra Barker, Kayla Blackmon, Sar

Refugee Crisis: Compassion or Security

Group 4: Tess Summers, Alexandra Barker, Kayla Blackmon, Sarah Martin

Compassion: General Arguments

• America began from immigrants and refugees seeking a new homeland.
• The government does not have a right to intimidate religious citizens from ministering to others.
• Legislators fear that allowing refugees into the United States will bring terrorism and violent crimes into the country (Strode).
• This seems to make the legislators feel as though they can put fear into Christian’s to deny refugees entrance into the country.

Security:General Argument

Background

Key Issue

Is it ethically permissible for America to deny refuge to refugees from ISIS oppressed countries due to recent terrorist attacks?

• Oversimplification
• The threat of Isis
• Vetting issues
• What about the neighbor at home?
• Is migrating to America even best for the refugees?

• By October 1, 2016, President Obama hopes to settle 10,000 Syrian refugees in America.
• While some believe that accepting refugees is the nation’s moral responsibility, others remain convinced that the plan is a free ticket for terrorists.
• Choosing where to side on the issue has led to contradicting standards and a division of worldviews.

America’s refugee debate has become a battle of security versus compassion.

Compassion: Biblical Argument

Other Worldview Arguments

Moralistic Therapeutic Deists

• Because they believe that because good people gain favor with God, accepting refugees is right and necessary.

Postmodernists

• Pushing Christians to stand by their morals, which contradicts this worldview.

• Duty of the Christian individual
• The most important components of Christian worldview for the compassion stance are grace, love, forgiveness, trust, faith, and mercy
• Romans 12:16-18, Acts 17:24-25, Luke 10:25-37, Mark 12:31
• Instead of thinking of how it will make us uncomfortable, we as Christians should be thinking about how to be unselfish and show love to others. 

• It is not ethically permissible for America to deny refuge to refugees from ISIS oppressed countries.

Conclusion

Security:Biblical Arguments

• Duty of the Christian individual
• Romans 12
• Duty of the government
• Romans 13
• Different roles have been assigned.
• So, what should the government do?
• Christians are to be submissive to governing authorities
• It would not be unethical for the government to deny refugees for security reasons.

• Lack of experience on this issue led our groups to mixed opinions.
• Social Influences-#FearIsNotOurPolicy
• Our faith based community at Anderson may lead us towards compassion rather than security.

Final Conclusion

References

Strode, Tom. "Proposed S.C. Refugee Registry

Draws Criticism." Baptist Press. 30 Mar. 2016. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.

• Initially 3:1, but after collaboration we realized faults and strong points in each others' arguments
• Finding a balance of compassion and security is difficult in a fallen world.
• Showing compassion while maintaining security is possible. Providing aid overseas is a compassionate alternative to taking in thousands of refugees.
• Role of government vs. Christian Individual