{"id":32948,"date":"2022-09-10T16:29:30","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:29:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/evangelicals-say-it-is-time-for-congress-to-tackle-immigration\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:29:30","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:29:30","slug":"evangelicals-say-it-is-time-for-congress-to-tackle-immigration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/evangelicals-say-it-is-time-for-congress-to-tackle-immigration\/","title":{"rendered":"Evangelicals Say It Is Time For Congress To Tackle Immigration"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Bob Smietana<\/em><\/p>\n

When it comes to immigration reform, American evangelicals want it all.<\/p>\n

Nine out of 10 (86 percent) want more border security. Six in 10 (61 percent) support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. More than two-thirds (68 percent) favor both. And they want Congress to take action soon.<\/p>\n

Those are among the results of a new survey of evangelicals from Nashville-based Lifeway Research. The study, sponsored by the Evangelical Immigration Table and World Relief, found widespread support for immigration reform.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvangelicals are united in their desire for significant immigration reform,\u201d says Scott McConnell, vice president of Lifeway Research.<\/p>\n

A number of high profile evangelical groups have promoted immigration reform in recent years, including the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Many evangelical pastors also support reform.<\/p>\n

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A November 2014 Lifeway Research study found many pastors want a mix of justice and mercy when it comes to immigration. More than half (54 percent) support a path to citizenship. Most (91 percent) evangelical pastors also say the government should stop illegal immigration.<\/p>\n

In the February 2015 study, researchers found similar views among all evangelicals.<\/p>\n

Nine out of 10 (88 percent) say reform should respect the rule of law and secure the national borders (86 percent).<\/p>\n

They also want to protect the unity of immigrant families (72 percent) and to respect people\u2019s God-given dignity (82 percent).<\/p>\n

More than two-thirds (68 percent) of evangelicals say it is important for Congress to take action on immigration reform this year. And half (50 percent) are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports border security and citizenship.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvangelicals care about immigrants and want immigration reform,\u201d says Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals. \u201cWe pray for Congress to stop waiting and start legislating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evangelicals have some worries about immigration<\/strong><\/p>\n

Researchers found some differences by age and ethnicity among evangelicals.<\/p>\n

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Those over age 64 (84 percent) are more likely to want Congress to act than those 18 to 34 (59 percent). Those 18 to 34 are more likely (72 percent) to say reform should include a path to citizenship.<\/p>\n

Hispanic evangelicals (79 percent) are more likely than white evangelicals (54 percent) to support a path to citizenship.<\/p>\n

Some evangelicals are uneasy about the number of recent immigrants to the U.S., according to the survey.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Does the Bible Say About Refugees?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Almost half (48 percent) say immigrants drain the country\u2019s economic resources.<\/p>\n

About a quarter (22 percent) say immigrants are a threat to law and order. One in 5 believe immigrants threaten traditional American customs and culture.<\/p>\n

Other evangelicals view immigration as a chance to love immigrants (40 percent) and or to share Jesus with newcomers (42 percent).<\/p>\n

Few connect faith and immigration<\/strong><\/p>\n

Few evangelicals say their faith directly shapes their views about immigration.<\/p>\n

Researchers asked evangelicals to list which factor has most influenced their beliefs about immigration. About one in 10 (12 percent) chose the Bible, and only 2 percent named their church.<\/p>\n

Among other influences: relationships with immigrants (17 percent), friends and family (16 percent) and the media (16 percent).<\/p>\n

Lifeway Research also found many churches don\u2019t talk about immigration, and few take action on this issue. Two-thirds of evangelicals (68 percent) say their church has never encouraged them to reach out to immigrants.<\/p>\n

Still, evangelicals are interested in what their faith says on this topic. About half (53 percent) are familiar with the Bible\u2019s teaching about immigrants. Two-thirds (68 percent) say they\u2019d value hearing a sermon about the Bible\u2019s views on immigration.<\/p>\n

“The sad part of this research on immigration is that American evangelicals are more influenced by the media than by their Bibles and their churches combined,\u201d says Anderson. \u201cWe need to turn off our TVs and open up our Bibles.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bob Smietana<\/h2>\n

@bobsmietana<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bob is the former senior writer for Lifeway Research. In September 2018, he joined Religion News Service, where he currently serves as a national writer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n