Sep 30 2015
U.S. response to accepting Syrian refugees? What do I think?
We need to try to begin giving up our fear of others and try practicing what some of us preach. If you think of yourself as a Christian, then practice what Jesus preached; He said “Love one another”, “Feed my sheep”, “Keep my command-ments!” Do you follow Jesus in your heart? These Syrian refugees are fleeing torture and death in their homeland, much of it the result of the Iraq war, perpetrated by our country. Do you not feel that we should bear some responsibility for this outcome? These are innocent men, women and children, and Jesus would say that they are still our brothers and sisters, no matter what their ethnic heritage. Dig deep in your hearts people! We are not the tribal regions were once were; it is a global worldview that is needed now. I am so touched by the message of Pope Francis, urging us to “Be willing to change”, to “overcome our preconceptions and our reluctance to think that others, much less ourselves, can change”. “Why do we always throw rocks at that which separates us?” Let’s get out of our “boxed in” minds and follow Jesus’ messages in our hearts. Let’s lovingly be the Samaritans who minister to “others”.
Trish Forsyth Voss
Sep 30 2015
What do you hope comes out of Monday’s meeting with Presidents Obama and Putin?
My hope is ultimately for ending the 4 1/2 year civil war in Syria that has cost over a quarter million lives, and ridding the Mid East of the rebel group ISIS, who has taken advantage of that vacuum of power, has committed so many atrocities, and is responsible for the exodus of hundreds of thousands of refugees to many surrounding countries. President Obama in his talk before the United Nations stated that the U.S., with trillions from our treasury and all our military, alone cannot impose peace on other countries. The 90 minute meeting between Obama and Putin was not without merits. This was Putin’s first appearance at a UN gathering in a decade. “Putin suggested that Russia might be willing to join airstrikes against the Islamic State”, but Russia and Iran, Syria’s biggest backers, are both against the ouster of Bashar Assad. However, both countries are now agreeing that Syria’s government needs reform. They may yet come closer to the “managed transition” that Obama envisions and seems to be backed by the UN. Securing Syria, returning the refugees to their homeland, and providing humanitarian aid are worthy goals.
By spiritspeak • Community Roundtable 0