A group of Atlanta-area Unitarian Universalist ministers has signed a
strongly worded letter condemning a Georgia immigration bill as "racist,"
"detrimental to business," and reflecting "spiritual blight."
The ministers urge Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to never sign House Bill 87, which landed on his desk after being signed by both houses of the legislature. The bill resembles the controversial Arizona immigration law S.B. 1070, which passed this past year. The Georgia bill would create new requirements for employers to make sure that the legal status of potential employees, plus it would authorize police to question suspects relating to immigration status.
Ten UU ministers in metro Atlanta, representing six area congregations, signed the strongly worded letter, compiled by the Rev. Anthony David, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta. A shortened version with the three-paragraph letter appeared inside Atlanta Journal-Constitution on April 27.
"The idea for that letter bubbled up when I was with a protest with the Georgia state house," said David. He attended that late-February protest after the Georgia House of Representatives first passed H.B. 87, with the Rev. Marti Keller, minister in the UU Congregation of Atlanta, and five parishioners. One of those parishioners, State Senator Nan Orrock, voted from the legislation, saying it "insists on demonizing individuals with brown skin and Spanish accents."
Immigration rights happen to be a core social justice issue for that Atlanta congregation this year. "We're attempting to bring the congregation together for this vital issue," said David. "Fundamentally, spiritually, there is certainly hatred and fear behind what is going on in Georgia."
He emphasized those themes in his letter. The statement reads:
What's best for Georgia is the fact that we base our social policies on traditional spiritual values of compassion and hospitality. But House Bill 87, a punitive immigration measure recently passed through the Georgia Assembly and sent to Governor Nathan Deal's desk, telegraphs the scarcity message there's not enough love and insufficient resources to serve. If a bill this way becomes law, we're diminished as a state.
I just don't believe there's not enough for everyone. Jesus taught us that after people are in need of assistance, you're making room for them in the table, there will always be enough of what is most important. You don't adopt a scarcity mentality. All people have inherent worth and dignity. We need to make room for those coming to America with hopes of creating a better life for their own reasons, and if we can find means of supporting them, the result can only increase our prosperity being a nation. It made America great within our past, also it can make us great again.
There really are a tremendous variety of problems with House Bill 87. It is racist. It is neither workable nor fair. It is detrimental to business. It reflects Georgia politicians acting far beyond the bounds with their proper jurisdiction. Its twin bill in Arizona has cost that state huge amounts of money in litigation, as well as unconstitutionality recently been upheld. But more problematic than all these is the fundamental spiritual blight that House Bill 87 reflects. It is hate-filled and fear-filled. I urge Governor Deal to not sign this bill into law. We need to make room in the table. There's always motor what's truly important to serve if we're resolved to make it so. What would Jesus do?
In addition to David and Keller, the letter is signed by ministers from congregations in Marietta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Athens, and Atlanta. David also promises to send the letter to congregations south of Atlanta, which are part in the UUA's Thomas Jefferson District, for signatures by their ministers. (The Atlanta churches are in the UUA's Mid-South District.)
In addition for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the letter has appeared in numerous Atlanta-area weekly papers, the Athens Banner-Herald, and on blogs. David said the letter has been translated into Spanish and sent to Spanish-language newspapers. "One of my congregants, Tim Atkins, has been doing a fantastic job getting the word out," said David.
His hope is always that the letter spurs visitors to reflect on immigration issues. Georgia politics are influenced heavily from the overwhelmingly Christian population inside the state, David said. "I hope the letter spurs people onto reflection regarding how their Christian faith is in line with their attitudes on immigration."
The UU Congregation of Atlanta has offered a series of adult religious education classes examining immigration policy. Its aim is always to create a process for members to understand, reflect, and act. In March, the congregation held an "All Congregation Immigration Summit." In it, members shared their particular family histories of immigration and migration, and explored how their UU values inform their stance on immigration reform. And the congregation will continue to ask the question, "What can we being a faith community do?" News for immigration bill
The ministers urge Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to never sign House Bill 87, which landed on his desk after being signed by both houses of the legislature. The bill resembles the controversial Arizona immigration law S.B. 1070, which passed this past year. The Georgia bill would create new requirements for employers to make sure that the legal status of potential employees, plus it would authorize police to question suspects relating to immigration status.
Ten UU ministers in metro Atlanta, representing six area congregations, signed the strongly worded letter, compiled by the Rev. Anthony David, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta. A shortened version with the three-paragraph letter appeared inside Atlanta Journal-Constitution on April 27.
"The idea for that letter bubbled up when I was with a protest with the Georgia state house," said David. He attended that late-February protest after the Georgia House of Representatives first passed H.B. 87, with the Rev. Marti Keller, minister in the UU Congregation of Atlanta, and five parishioners. One of those parishioners, State Senator Nan Orrock, voted from the legislation, saying it "insists on demonizing individuals with brown skin and Spanish accents."
Immigration rights happen to be a core social justice issue for that Atlanta congregation this year. "We're attempting to bring the congregation together for this vital issue," said David. "Fundamentally, spiritually, there is certainly hatred and fear behind what is going on in Georgia."
He emphasized those themes in his letter. The statement reads:
What's best for Georgia is the fact that we base our social policies on traditional spiritual values of compassion and hospitality. But House Bill 87, a punitive immigration measure recently passed through the Georgia Assembly and sent to Governor Nathan Deal's desk, telegraphs the scarcity message there's not enough love and insufficient resources to serve. If a bill this way becomes law, we're diminished as a state.
I just don't believe there's not enough for everyone. Jesus taught us that after people are in need of assistance, you're making room for them in the table, there will always be enough of what is most important. You don't adopt a scarcity mentality. All people have inherent worth and dignity. We need to make room for those coming to America with hopes of creating a better life for their own reasons, and if we can find means of supporting them, the result can only increase our prosperity being a nation. It made America great within our past, also it can make us great again.
There really are a tremendous variety of problems with House Bill 87. It is racist. It is neither workable nor fair. It is detrimental to business. It reflects Georgia politicians acting far beyond the bounds with their proper jurisdiction. Its twin bill in Arizona has cost that state huge amounts of money in litigation, as well as unconstitutionality recently been upheld. But more problematic than all these is the fundamental spiritual blight that House Bill 87 reflects. It is hate-filled and fear-filled. I urge Governor Deal to not sign this bill into law. We need to make room in the table. There's always motor what's truly important to serve if we're resolved to make it so. What would Jesus do?
In addition to David and Keller, the letter is signed by ministers from congregations in Marietta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Athens, and Atlanta. David also promises to send the letter to congregations south of Atlanta, which are part in the UUA's Thomas Jefferson District, for signatures by their ministers. (The Atlanta churches are in the UUA's Mid-South District.)
In addition for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the letter has appeared in numerous Atlanta-area weekly papers, the Athens Banner-Herald, and on blogs. David said the letter has been translated into Spanish and sent to Spanish-language newspapers. "One of my congregants, Tim Atkins, has been doing a fantastic job getting the word out," said David.
His hope is always that the letter spurs visitors to reflect on immigration issues. Georgia politics are influenced heavily from the overwhelmingly Christian population inside the state, David said. "I hope the letter spurs people onto reflection regarding how their Christian faith is in line with their attitudes on immigration."
The UU Congregation of Atlanta has offered a series of adult religious education classes examining immigration policy. Its aim is always to create a process for members to understand, reflect, and act. In March, the congregation held an "All Congregation Immigration Summit." In it, members shared their particular family histories of immigration and migration, and explored how their UU values inform their stance on immigration reform. And the congregation will continue to ask the question, "What can we being a faith community do?" News for immigration bill
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