We have been hearing for years about the problems in western Europe (Germany, France, the Netherlands, and now even Sweden) with large populations of Muslim immigrants. These nations have seen the clash of cultural values and the increase of violence towards women (considered acceptable in some cultures) and have experienced terrorist attacks. This raises some legitimate questions about how we can avoid similar problems in our country. For example:

1. Is there a certain “tipping point” where an influx of refugees whose values may be different than American values threatens to undermine the rights and freedoms of people in our country? I am thinking of areas within western nations where Muslim communities have been given the right to self-government under sharia law legally or where sharia law is practiced illegally and local authorities are afraid to interfere. Would this happen in the US? Maybe not, but it needs to be considered.
2. If we significantly increase the rate of immigration, are we still able to safely vet the refugees and avoid letting terrorists in? Are we prepared with the resources to help larger numbers of legitimate refugees find jobs and housing?
3. It is the responsibility of the church and those who follow Christ to help the oppressed, but is that necessarily the first priority of a secular government? Is it not the responsibility of the federal government to protect its own citizenry and uphold national security?

I think all of these questions reflect reasonable concerns, not bigotry and hatred.

There is a tension between being a land where the oppressed of the world can come and live in freedom and a reasonable regard for national security. I wish that those who hold different positions on this issue would actually talk and listen to each other’s concerns and not just attack each other’s assumed motives and beliefs. Unfortunately, “crossing the aisle” to work out a compromise seems to have fallen out of favor these days, so we need to be praying for our leaders and for ourselves–to be civil, to listen to each other, to give each other the benefit of the doubt, to respect each other, and to work together for the good of our country and also for those who are seeking freedom from fear and oppression.