The Quote Below – More Misinformation from the Media
“That scripture in Timothy [God has not given us a spirit of fear] has become the standard by which I judge almost everything. Is this organization, philosophy, behavior, position or policy based in fear — or love?
“No matter the context, I’m wary of people who try to create division or suspicion toward a particular group. Who assert that if one group gets more, we will get less. Who believe that if we extend basic rights to others, our own will be diminished. Who argue that if we allow others into our country, we will somehow have to relinquish our own safety, jobs and identity.
“Fear insists that life is a zero-sum game. Love knows that there is enough, and to spare. Fear both proclaims and begets scarcity. Love invites and welcomes abundance.
“So I became increasingly concerned during the 2016 election cycle when a man who built his candidacy on a platform of fear — of immigrants, Muslims, refugees and others — inexplicably became not only the nominee of the party I had belonged to my entire life, but also president. . . . Where we go from here, and where we finally end up, will be determined by whether we choose love or whether we choose fear. That may be the defining question of our time.” – Why I Became an Activist Against Fear, Shariee Glenn, The New York Times, 2/19/20 [Link]
Fact Check on Quote Above: This article rests on the childishly simplistic notion that “fear” is always bad and “love” is always good. In reality, it depends on the context. To illustrate, is it good to love evil? Is it bad to fear danger? If a rabid dog approaches, the fear that prompts flight is vastly preferable to the “love” that imagines that the dog is harmless.
Of course there is kind of fear that is always bad, the spirit of fear mentioned in scripture that inspires mindless terror. At the same time another scripture speaks of a beneficial kind of fear: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When people fear God they have the proper humility to realize their limitations. With that understanding, they can grow in wisdom. Another relevant scripture: Love rejoices in truth. If “love” is indifferent to truth, it isn’t love.
Are concerns about mass immigration legitimate and true? Indeed they are. Contrary to what the writer claims, unchecked immigration can indeed threaten our “safety, jobs and identity.” An international Gallup poll found that almost 160 million foreigners would like to move to America. With their spouses and minor children the total could easily be more than twice that total. If that would be a fearful prospect, then prudence suggests that we limit immigration.
Already the diversity brought about by immigration is weakening our social bonds and national unity. And the unending flow of immigrants is depressing the wages and limiting the opportunities of American citizens, particularly our poorest and most vulnerable. In the name of “love,” are we supposed to embrace unchecked immigration and ignore its consequences? This is not genuine love or compassion. It is moral arrogance and gross irresponsibility.
The author thinks it is outrageous that anyone would “fear” Muslim immigration. In fact, there are good reasons to do so, the major one being that the values of Islam are incompatible with those of Western societies. That is no idle concern given the huge problems Muslim immigration has caused in Europe.
In the rarified world of immigration enthusiasts there are never any limits or zero sums, which one so often finds in the real world. Rather than fear God, they would rather play God and display their self-anointed holiness for all to behold and worship.
For them, everything is sweetness and light, and anyone who disagrees is a fearful hater. That belies their claim that they oppose division and support inclusion. They steadfastly refuse to give Immigration restrictionists and other “deplorables” the benefit of the doubt and a seat at the table of discussion.
Alexander Pope once wrote that “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Mass immigration is a cause of foolishness unrestrained by humility and foresight.