In a world often divided by fear and misunderstanding, how can faith communities foster compassion and empathy towards immigrants? This is something that I explore with author and speaker Catherine McNiel. Her book challenges readers to rethink their perspectives on immigration through the lens of Christian values, emphasizing love, justice, and the importance of individual stories.
Our conversation isn’t just about abstract ideas; it’s about real people, real lives, and the narratives that shape our understanding of immigration. It’s about moving beyond rhetoric and engaging with the human element of this complex issue. And loving your neighbor.
The Power of Story: Changing the Immigration Narrative
The mission of the podcast is to change the narrative of immigration to a more compassionate and empathetic approach. This mission stems from the deeply negative rhetoric about immigration. When people talk about immigration, they are usually referring to politics or policies, which often overshadows the personal stories and struggles of immigrants.
The podcast was created to change that and connect us to the human element of immigration. These narratives reveal the motivations, sacrifices, and resilience of individuals and families seeking a better life. By sharing these stories, the podcast aims to counter the dehumanizing effects of political rhetoric and foster a more nuanced understanding of immigration.
Fearing Bravely and Loving Your Neighbor
Catherine McNiel’s book, “Fearing Bravely: Risking Love for Our Neighbors, Strangers, and Enemies,” challenges the conventional understanding of Christian identity. I share with Catherine that the book challenges the idea of identifying Christ-followers solely by the label “Christian.” Instead, I emphasize that true discipleship is recognized through acts of love, compassion, and justice.
Catherine explains that the book’s title, “Fearing Bravely,” underscores that love doesn’t eliminate fear. Rather, it empowers individuals to act with love despite their fears. This concept becomes particularly relevant in the context of immigration, where fear of the “other” often fuels prejudice and discrimination.
Love in Action: Beyond Labels and Stereotypes
Catherine shares that the word “Christian” has become a marketing tool, often used to promote specific agendas or political ideologies. She urges listeners to look beyond labels and seek out genuine expressions of compassion, sacrifice, and justice. Catherine goes on to say that Jesus’ followers didn’t even have the option of using the word Christian.
She states that marketers have tricked Christians by this “sleight of hand” and challenges Christians to ask themselves, “Where am I actually seeing Jesus?” It’s a call to move beyond superficial identifications and embrace a more authentic expression of faith.
Immigration and Christian Values: An Intertwined Reality
While “Fearing Bravely” doesn’t explicitly focus on immigration, Catherine argues that its message is deeply relevant to the issue. She lives in a community with a significant immigrant population, making immigration a tangible reality in her daily life.
She shares that her husband directs a community-based social services organization. The organization is both run by and for immigrants in their community. As a result, she has been close to many immigrants’ stories.
Loving Strangers: A Biblical Mandate
Catherine connects the concept of loving strangers to the biblical call to care for those who are far from home. She believes the hateful rhetoric against immigrants is linked to the word “Christian,” which leads to people talking hatefully, neglectfully, and speaking about immigrants as though they were inhumane or dangerous. Catherine emphasizes that, even if one perceives immigrants as enemies, Christian teachings still call for love and sacrificial care.
She believes that focusing on loving our neighbors is a key element in today’s conversation about immigrants. It also ties into her belief that many Americans consider immigrants as strangers or enemies.
The Complexity of Immigration: Beyond Sound Bites
The conversation touches on the complexity of the U.S. immigration system. The “get in line” argument is a common one, but there’s no line to get in. The backlog in processing applications often leads to desperate measures, such as seeking entry at the southern border. These are the results of manpower to handle all the pending process applications. These are complex problems requiring comprehensive solutions.
Challenging the “Dangerous Immigrant” Trope
The stereotype of the “dangerous immigrant” is a recurring theme in anti-immigration rhetoric. However, studies consistently show that immigrants are less likely to be involved in violent crime than native-born citizens. For example, a 2018 study by the Cato Institute found that “legal immigrants are less likely to be incarcerated than native-born Americans,” and “illegal immigrants are about half as likely to be incarcerated for violent crimes.”
Furthermore, research suggests that immigrant communities often contribute to economic growth and revitalization. A 2017 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that “immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy, filling jobs in both high-skilled and low-skilled sectors.”
Diversity as a Strength
Catherine highlights the importance of diversity. This reminded me of the Summer Olympics and seeing the USA teams, which are examples of diversity and beauty. This reflects the idea that the American Dream is not about assimilation. Rather, it’s about creating a society where people from all backgrounds can thrive while maintaining their unique cultural identities.
Catherine’s book even made me think about whether I was loving my neighbor correctly. It’s a really good book! Are you loving your neighbor?
With Love, Heidy
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