Christian Responsibilty

[bcuzbcuz]

Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria are fleeing their homes. Their homes have often been destroyed, either by the governmental forces of Assad or the fighting against by ISIS or rebellious forces. Families, parents and children struggle to find some oasis of safety. They search for a place where they can sleep in peace at night, seek work during the day and where children can go to school without fearing for their lives.

As Christians our responsibilty is to open our hearts and homes to families who can no longer find security in their own homeland.

What responsibilty do we, as Mormons, have? And what can we, as individuals, do to provide security to these refugees?

[VideoGameJunkie]

The church sent $1 million.

[Walden]

Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria are fleeing their homes. Their homes have often been destroyed, either by the governmental forces of Assad or the fighting against by ISIS or rebellious forces. Families, parents and children struggle to find some oasis of safety. They search for a place where they can sleep in peace at night, seek work during the day and where children can go to school without fearing for their lives.

As Christians our responsibilty is to open our hearts and homes to families who can no longer find security in their own homeland.

What responsibilty do we, as Mormons, have? And what can we, as individuals, do to provide security to these refugees?

 

WWJD?

[bcuzbcuz]

WWJD?

A catchy phrase but it does little to answer the question.

[VideoGameJunkie]

Should the church have sent more money? It's got billions of dollars and it's disposal and sent $1 million. Or is $1 million a nice number and good effort.

[bcuzbcuz]

The church sent $1 million.

5.5 million regugees are displaced within their own country of Syria. 3 miilion refugees are in countries bordering Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq. Half a million refugees are walking by foot, travelling by leaky boats or smuggled from Syria to Greece, Germany and places north in Europe.

9 million divided by $1,000,000. How much is that per person?

But that isn't my question? What responsibility do we have as individuals?

[ksfisher]

Should the church have sent more money? It's got billions of dollars and it's disposal and sent $1 million. Or is $1 million a nice number and good effort.

 

Members of the church are always welcome to increase the amount of money that we pay towards fast offerings and humanitarian aid.

 

President Eyring - April 2015 Conference

"The commandment to fast for the poor has many blessings attached to it. President Spencer W. Kimball called failing to follow that law a sin of omission with a heavy cost. He wrote: “Rich promises are made by the Lord to those who fast and assist the needy. … Inspiration and spiritual guidance will come with righteousness and closeness to our Heavenly Father. To omit to do this righteous act of fasting would deprive us of these blessings.”³

I received one of those blessings just a few weeks ago. Since general conference falls on a weekend that would normally include the fast and testimony meeting, I fasted and prayed to know how I should still obey the commandment to care for those in need.

On a Saturday, still fasting, I woke at 6:00 and prayed again. I felt impressed to look at the world news. There I read this report:

Tropical Cyclone Pam destroyed many homes as it made a direct hit on Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. It killed at least six people in Vanuatu, the first confirmed from one of the most powerful storms ever to make landfall.

“Hardly a tree stood straight [as the cyclone] bellowed across” the Pacific island nation.⁴

World Vision’s emergency assessment team planned to view damage after the storm died down. 

They advised residents to seek shelter in sturdy buildings such as universities and schools.

And then they said: “‘The strongest thing they’ve got is cement churches,’ said Inga Mepham [from] CARE International. … ‘Some of them don’t have that. It’s hard to find a structure that you’d think would be able to withstand a Category 5 (storm).’”⁵

When I read that, I remembered visiting little homes on Vanuatu. I could picture in my mind the people huddled in homes being destroyed by winds. And then I remembered the warm welcome to me of the people of Vanuatu. I thought of them and their neighbors fleeing to the safety of our cement chapel.

Then I pictured the bishop and the Relief Society president walking among them, giving comfort, blankets, food to eat, and water to drink. I could picture the frightened children huddled together.

They are so far away from the home where I read that report, and yet I knew what the Lord would be doing through His servants. I knew that what made it possible for them to succor those children of Heavenly Father was fast offerings, given freely by the Lord’s disciples who were far away from them but close to the Lord.

So I didn’t wait for Sunday. I took a fast offering to my bishop that morning. I know that my offering may be used by the bishop and Relief Society president to help someone in my neighborhood. My small offering may not be needed near where my family and I live, but the local surplus could reach even as far as Vanuatu."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng

[VideoGameJunkie]

I want to help and trust refugees, but we had 2 refugees in Boston a couple years ago that bombed our marathon with pressure cookers killing 3 and severely wounding dozens in a terrorist attack. I'm just worried allowing refugees into America will be allowing dangerous individuals into our country who will turn on us. I'm glad it's not my decision.

[bcuzbcuz]

Members of the church are always welcome to increase the amount of money that we pay towards fast offerings and humanitarian aid.

 

President Eyring - April 2015 Conference

"The commandment to fast for the poor has many blessings attached to it. President Spencer W. Kimball called failing to follow that law a sin of omission with a heavy cost. He wrote: “Rich promises are made by the Lord to those who fast and assist the needy. … Inspiration and spiritual guidance will come with righteousness and closeness to our Heavenly Father. To omit to do this righteous act of fasting would deprive us of these blessings.”³

I received one of those blessings just a few weeks ago. Since general conference falls on a weekend that would normally include the fast and testimony meeting, I fasted and prayed to know how I should still obey the commandment to care for those in need.

On a Saturday, still fasting, I woke at 6:00 and prayed again. I felt impressed to look at the world news. There I read this report:

Tropical Cyclone Pam destroyed many homes as it made a direct hit on Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. It killed at least six people in Vanuatu, the first confirmed from one of the most powerful storms ever to make landfall.

“Hardly a tree stood straight [as the cyclone] bellowed across” the Pacific island nation.⁴

World Vision’s emergency assessment team planned to view damage after the storm died down. 

They advised residents to seek shelter in sturdy buildings such as universities and schools.

And then they said: “‘The strongest thing they’ve got is cement churches,’ said Inga Mepham [from] CARE International. … ‘Some of them don’t have that. It’s hard to find a structure that you’d think would be able to withstand a Category 5 (storm).’”⁵

When I read that, I remembered visiting little homes on Vanuatu. I could picture in my mind the people huddled in homes being destroyed by winds. And then I remembered the warm welcome to me of the people of Vanuatu. I thought of them and their neighbors fleeing to the safety of our cement chapel.

Then I pictured the bishop and the Relief Society president walking among them, giving comfort, blankets, food to eat, and water to drink. I could picture the frightened children huddled together.

They are so far away from the home where I read that report, and yet I knew what the Lord would be doing through His servants. I knew that what made it possible for them to succor those children of Heavenly Father was fast offerings, given freely by the Lord’s disciples who were far away from them but close to the Lord.

So I didn’t wait for Sunday. I took a fast offering to my bishop that morning. I know that my offering may be used by the bishop and Relief Society president to help someone in my neighborhood. My small offering may not be needed near where my family and I live, but the local surplus could reach even as far as Vanuatu."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/is-not-this-the-fast-that-i-have-chosen?lang=eng

I think I understand your intent through a fast offering but is it not a shifting of responsibility to having someone else be responsible for the actual work?

How do we personally take an action to feed, clothe, shelter those in need from the Syrian crisis?

[Teancum]

It is a dilemma.

 

Here is what Pope Francis is doing and directing his flock to do:

 

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/0918/Setting-example-for-Catholics-Pope-Francis-takes-in-refugee-family

 

I have been exploring what I can do. Certainly I can contribute $$. Can I do more?

 

I wonder why the LDS Church does not take a stance on this like the Pope?  I recall many years ago a special fast and request for fast offering for Ethiopian famine victims. If I recall the Church raised $14 million in that one Sunday and it all went to help famine victims. 

 

For VGJ yes there is risk that a terrorist would infiltrate under the guise of a refugee.  I think rigorous vetting could reduce the risk but not eliminate in entirely.  But is that a reason not to do more for so many that are in such dire need and peril?  I do not know for sure.

[bcuzbcuz]

I want to help and trust refugees, but we had 2 refugees in Boston a couple years ago that bombed our marathon with pressure cookers killing 3 and severely wounding dozens in a terrorist attack. I'm just worried allowing refugees into America will be allowing dangerous individuals into our country who will turn on us. I'm glad it's not my decision.

Total security is, in my opinion, an impossibilty. Every country has a myriad of nut cases, whether raised within the home country (1963 church bombing in Bimingham) (Oklahoma bombing 1995, McVeigh) (Charleston church shooting by D. Roof, 2015) or imported.

Is it your intention that because some refugees are nut cases that we are relieved from our responsibilty to care for our fellow citizens, brothers and sisters?

[saemo]

I want to help and trust refugees, but we had 2 refugees in Boston a couple years ago that bombed our marathon with pressure cookers killing 3 and severely wounding dozens in a terrorist attack. I'm just worried allowing refugees into America will be allowing dangerous individuals into our country who will turn on us. I'm glad it's not my decision.

We have our homegrown baddies and we have refugees who have settled here successfully, and are good people. Most people want the same things. Work, to support themselves and their families and a safe place for children to grow and thrive. And , refugee success stories are generally not headline news. You have to look for their stories outside of the headlines.

Edited September 18, 2015 by saemo

[bcuzbcuz]

It is a dilemma.

 

Here is what Pope Francis is doing and directing his flock to do:

 

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/0918/Setting-example-for-Catholics-Pope-Francis-takes-in-refugee-family

 

I have been exploring what I can do. Certainly I can contribute $$. Can I do more?

 

I wonder why the LDS Church does not take a stance on this like the Pope?  I recall many years ago a special fast and request for fast offering for Ethiopian famine victims. If I recall the Church raised $14 million in that one Sunday and it all went to help famine victims. 

 

For VGJ yes there is risk that a terrorist would infiltrate under the guise of a refugee.  I think rigorous vetting could reduce the risk but not eliminate in entirely.  But is that a reason not to do more for so many that are in such dire need and peril?  I do not know for sure.

I agree!

[pogi]

As Christians our responsibilty is to open our hearts and homes to families who can no longer find security in their own homeland.

What responsibilty do we, as Mormons, have? And what can we, as individuals, do to provide security to these refugees?

 

If you feel prompted to open your home to refugees, then go for it.  There are many displaced families in our own back yard who have no homes and have want for food.  There is more trouble in the world than any one Christian can deal with.  we cannot address every issue that is worthy of our service.  Seek out and do good where you feel prompted.  That is all that is expected of us.  It sounds like you feel prompted towards this particular good cause.  That is great, but it should not be expected that we all do something about it. We can't be everything for everybody. 

 

 

[bcuzbcuz]

We have our homegrown baddies and we have refugees who have settled here successfully, and are good people. Most people want the same things. Work, to support themselves and their families and a safe place for children to grow and thrive. And , refugee success stories are generally not headline news. You have to look for their stories outside of the headlines.

Good points.

[bcuzbcuz]

If you feel prompted to open your home to refugees, then go for it.  There are many displaced families in our own back yard who have no homes and have want for food.  There is more trouble in the world than any one Christian can deal with.  we cannot address every issue that is worthy of our service.  Seek out and do good where you feel prompted.  That is all that is expected of us.  It sounds like you feel prompted towards this particular good cause.  That is great, but it should not be expected that we all do something about it. We can't be everything for everybody.

I don't expect from others or myself to do everything for everybody. Many of the problems around us are neglected because we simply don't know about them. I remember when living in SLC that the railway tracks that cut through the city seemed to hide the misery and poverty on the "other side of the tracks".

I don't live in in your country so my reality of the refugees is different from your reality. My question is directed to what our Christian responsibility is, regardless of country.

[why me]

Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria are fleeing their homes. Their homes have often been destroyed, either by the governmental forces of Assad or the fighting against by ISIS or rebellious forces. Families, parents and children struggle to find some oasis of safety. They search for a place where they can sleep in peace at night, seek work during the day and where children can go to school without fearing for their lives.

As Christians our responsibilty is to open our hearts and homes to families who can no longer find security in their own homeland.

What responsibilty do we, as Mormons, have? And what can we, as individuals, do to provide security to these refugees?

Actually, many of the migrants are coming from Turkey. True, they are Syrians and Iragis but they have been living in Turkey for quite some time. These migrants are picking and choosing what country they wish to live in Europe and the borders are now just being closed because the numbers of migrants attempting to come to europe not for refuge but for better economic circumstances is out of control. The consequences of this mass migration will be felt for years by Europe, a continent at the moment that is suffering an economic decline and whose economies are attempting to streamline their welfare systems. In other words, Europe is facing a disaster of immense proportions. And it is now a continent deeply divided as countries decide their own policies when it comes to the migrants as the rules are being broken. For example, in the past, a refugee who reached their first EU european country that country needed to give sanctuary to that refugee. Now, the migrants are moving throughout europe trying to decide where the best life could be. Many are now choosing finland as they journey through sweden and board buses in the north of sweden to finland. The authorities do not know the backgrounds of these people who are coming from the middle east. It is complete chaos.

 

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/605252/Migrants-Denmark-Finland-Sweden-Marwen-el-Mohammed-TV2-News-Immigration-Refugee

 

What should the church do? Most people in europe now see these  people not as refugees but as migrants. Also, as perhaps millions of muslims enter europe, just how will these people adjust to european tolerance and values? From last year:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2784809/Now-ISIS-clashes-spread-Europe-Riot-police-separate-hundreds-Kurds-Islamist-supporters-Germany-nine-killed-protests-Turkey.html

Edited September 18, 2015 by why me

[ksfisher]

I think I understand your intent through a fast offering but is it not a shifting of responsibility to having someone else be responsible for the actual work?

How do we personally take an action to feed, clothe, shelter those in need from the Syrian crisis?

 

Personally, I don't think there's anything I can do on an international level.  I can, however, take a portion of the money that I earn and give it to agencies (among whom are the church) that have the ability and resources to act.  On a local level there is much that members of the church can do.  Volunteering at food banks or shelters helps care of refugees that have already migrated. 

[VideoGameJunkie]

Ok fine, let them all in. Just don't be surprised if bad things start happening. In Germany a school had to change their dress code because the skirts the German high schoolers were wearing was angering the refugees so the girls were told not to wear skirts to school anymore so they wouldn't offend the refugees and so they would be a less likely target of rape by one of the refugees. So there's victim blaming right there. A german teenager wears a skirt so the refugee rapes her and somehow it would have all been prevented had she just worn long pants or an Islamic robe. The refugees should learn to control themselves.

[why me]

Ok fine, let them all in. Just don't be surprised if bad things start happening. In Germany a school had to change their dress code because the skirts the German high schoolers were wearing was angering the refugees so the girls were told not to wear skirts to school anymore so they wouldn't offend the refugees and so they would be a less likely target of rape by one of the refugees. So there's victim blaming right there. A german teenager wears a skirt so the refugee rapes her and somehow it would have all been prevented had she just worn long pants or an Islamic robe. The refugees should learn to control themselves.

You should provide a reference. However, I am on the frontlines. Speaking with red cross workers, many know that these people are not refugees but migrants now. But they can do nothing about it. We must separate the boat people from libya and the migrants who are now attempting to enter europe from turkey. Also, many of these migrants were in turkey for quite some time. They started to come to europe when the german leader said that if any refugee made it to europe, they would be welcome in germany. She did not expect a couple of million to migrate. Or did she?

 

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/09/08/german-chancellor-says-migrants-should-fundamentally-transform-germany/

 

I think that the german leader has lost her mind if all this is true. And it seems to be.

Edited September 18, 2015 by why me

[saemo]

Ok fine, let them all in. Just don't be surprised if bad things start happening. In Germany a school had to change their dress code because the skirts the German high schoolers were wearing was angering the refugees so the girls were told not to wear skirts to school anymore so they wouldn't offend the refugees and so they would be a less likely target of rape by one of the refugees. So there's victim blaming right there. A german teenager wears a skirt so the refugee rapes her and somehow it would have all been prevented had she just worn long pants or an Islamic robe. The refugees should learn to control themselves.

Well, a few things going on there. One, German public schools don't gave dress codes, so making one is viewed as out of the norm. Two, there are other news articles about German schools creating new dress codes because the girls are wearing "hot pants", or short shorts, and non-Islam students found them too proactive for a school environment. Sounds to me like the refugees staying in the gym, while they seek asylum, were used as an excuse to create dress code by the school admin. It wasn't the refugees who asked for a dress code while they were there.

I dunno, myself, I think students, girls and boys, should dress appropriately for school, not like they are at the beach or going to a night club.

Edited September 18, 2015 by saemo

[The Nehor]

Should the church have sent more money? It's got billions of dollars and it's disposal and sent $1 million. Or is $1 million a nice number and good effort.

 

The Church could not have sent billions without selling off a huge portion of its assets and shutting down most of its normal operations.

[why me]

We have our homegrown baddies and we have refugees who have settled here successfully, and are good people. Most people want the same things. Work, to support themselves and their families and a safe place for children to grow and thrive. And , refugee success stories are generally not headline news. You have to look for their stories outside of the headlines.

I do believe that the pope is now sorry for his comments. I don't think that he expected the european doors to be open to host a few million migrants from muslim countries. However, he could do more to help the besieged  christians in iraq and syria by offering such christians santuary in the vatican. I do believe that these would be classified as refugees and not as migrants.

 

http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/52275/20140821/catholic-church-aid-agency-launches-major-campaign-to-support-besieged-christians-in-iraq-and-syria.htm

 

These christians would never travel with the muslims to europe so they are still in danger. Can you also give a reference about your statement to videogamejunkie about the german dress code. So far the both of you have given no references.

Edited September 18, 2015 by why me

[Teancum]

If you feel prompted to open your home to refugees, then go for it.  There are many displaced families in our own back yard who have no homes and have want for food.  There is more trouble in the world than any one Christian can deal with.  we cannot address every issue that is worthy of our service.  Seek out and do good where you feel prompted.  That is all that is expected of us.  It sounds like you feel prompted towards this particular good cause.  That is great, but it should not be expected that we all do something about it. We can't be everything for everybody. 

 

 

How about our Prophets and Apostles say something, take a stand, encourage us in what seems to be a critical crisis. Why do LDS leaders in what they say seem to generally ignore the world and talk about obedience, follow the prophet and other exclusive and parochial issues in general.

 

The Pope is eating the lunch of the men who claim to be God's Prophets, Seers and Revelators. 

 

Let the rocks start coming! 

[Teancum]

The Church could not have sent billions without selling off a huge portion of its assets and shutting down most of its normal operations.

 

 

Oh well did anyone say billions?  Certainly a million is paltry.  And how do you know what the church could or could not do?  Are you privy to its financial info?