Marion Cooper
THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE
THIS MONTH, I WANT TO WRITE about the highly contentious issue of foreigners within our shores.
I am incensed when I read that crime in some areas has risen by 35 per cent, and that chief police officers attribute it to immigrants. I am deeply troubled to hear that so many now live on UK benefits, even receiving Family Allowance for children still residing in their own country, when our own pensioners who have contributed taxes all their lives receive so little. I am angered by people of other nations inciting violence and terrorism on the one hand, while seeking asylum from their own troubled, corrupt and oppressive nations on the other.
I am saddened to know that among Oxford’s Christian spires, the Islamic call to pray three times a day may soon be heard. And probably, most disturbing of all is the understanding that because of the world in which we live, where political correctness rules, none of us dares speak out for fear of being labelled racist. Our Government is afraid to enforce boundaries, to the detriment of our own people.
There is no doubt that the media fuels these feelings of fear and helplessness, and as a result I have made a conscious decision to limit how much I read. Above all else, I choose to be a woman of God. When I became a Christian, Jesus and his word began to shape who I am, how I behave and what I believe I ~ to let the tabloid press form my opinion Who of us could say, hand on heart, that if we had been born in a violent, impoverished and corrupt nation, we wouldn’t have sought better for ourselves and our children?
What does the Bible say about the stranger within our land? ‘When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him… treat him as one of your native born…’ (Leviticus 19:33); ‘Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it’ - Hebrews 13:2; ‘Do not oppress foreigners in any way’ - Exodus 22:21.
I love living in a nation with such diversity. I would hate to live in all-white, all English-speaking country. I love the foreign languages, the exciting food, the stunningly beautiful different skin colours. Our Church is enriched and enlivened by Christians from nations all over the world. They are instrumental in our recent growth; they influence our prayer and our worship. They are men and women of God, who we deeply respect. They are educated, work hard and raise their children with moral principles. I am proud to belong to a nation that shelters the oppressed, but I would urge our Government to put in place and enforce immigration laws for all our sakes, including the immigrant.
If I could, I would write a letter to every immigrant, asylum seeker or foreigner entering our nation saying, ‘Welcome to this great and ancient land. We pray that while you are with us, our God will bless and prosper you and your loved ones. We pray that you will live in safety, have a good life and make many new friends.
But for you to make the most of this experience, please try to learn a little of our language to help you to communicate with us. Work hard and contribute to this nation that has given you shelter, and should you fall on hard times, make use of our welfare state until you are back on your feet. “Until” is a key word. Most of us despise even our own people who see benefits as a chosen way of life.
‘Don’t contribute to our crime, violence, immorality and vice. We have enough of it already, and it is destroying us. Instead, bring your strong morals, family values and a desire to live better lives. Practise your own faith, without fear and in safety. You should know many of us respect you for your firmly held beliefs. You may see the UK as a secular society, and there is some truth in that. But you will find that at our heart, and shaping much of our greatness, is our God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Today, in our nation, hundreds of thousands continue be his ardent followers. Our prayer is that this Jesus, our God, will bless you and reveal himself to you, because to know Him will bring the biggest life change of all. It is he who says, “I am come that they might have life and have it to the full” - John10: 10.
