By Michael Gryboski, Christian Post.
Donald Trump
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has likened the influx of Syrian migrants into the U.S. to a coup, claiming that migrants “could be ISIS.” However, in a recent open letter to Trump — who considers himself a Presbyterian — Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of the General Assembly, declared the church’s compassion and support for displaced migrants.
“Presbyterians through decades of policy have demanded humane treatment of people of all nationalities and faiths who find themselves within our borders,” wrote Parsons.
Parsons also wrote to Trump about how PCUSA has ties to mission work in Middle Eastern countries like Syria, giving them a good understanding of the root causes of the recent wave of immigration from the region.
“Knowing our Lord was once a refugee, faithful Presbyterians have been writing Church policy urging the welcome of refugees and demanding higher annual admissions into the United States since the refugee crisis of World War II,” continued Parsons.
“Our relationship with people of faith and communities in these countries gives us knowledge of the root causes of the flight of refugees and further cements a commitment to welcome.”
Related article: Stated Clerk issues letter to Trump on refugees, immigrants
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Still waiting for the stated clerk to write the President and Congress concerning the Planned Parenthood videos. I guess PCUSA’s demand for humane treatment does not extend to the most vulnerable and fragile. Our Lord was not only once a “refugee” but also an unborn baby.
Todd, amen, and again, I say amen.
Thank you, Todd. You could not have made your point more clearly or succinctly. My experience has been that people with truly compassionate hearts often find themselves speaking out for politically correct causes as well as for politically incorrect causes. The reason for this is that compassionate people are not motivated by politics (left, right or center) but by a deep love for their fellow human beings. Whenever one sees the kind of selective compassion displayed by the stated clerk, it is clear that his motivation in publishing an open letter to Donald Trump was not compassion at all, but ideology.
Whether I agree with Mr. Parsons or Mr. Trump, or neither, how dare Mr. Parsons use his position to say he represents all of us. The law is the law, sir, and you don’t get to take a stand against the law. You can feel how you feel but how dare you even think you represent me in any way. I might agree with you in some ways but you have no right on God’s green earth to speak in my name as a Presbyterian. I am disgusted with the PCUSA and I see now that nothing will get better in the future. My nephew’s wife spent years going back and forth to her home country and getting citizenship and employment rights legally and I myself am only third generation American on my mother’s side. It is obvious that the PCUSA officials take stands I
on a myriad of issues (see above messages) that they personally support; how dare he! In the name of God, please speak for yourself and be quiet when it comes to saying you represent anyone BUT yourself.
Wonder why we heard nothing from the stated clerk when Christians were being murdered by the thousands in Iraq and Syria and Chistians were begging to be admitted to the U.S.from Syria.
Little Gradye does certainly seem to be selective with his indignation!
Another media driven leftist counter-cultural operation. Like gun control, open borders, and so many similar examples, rife with manufactured, orchestrated aspects and incidences, it is the eternal human comedy, sometimes not so funny. Predictably, PCUSA weighs right in, with the prestige of that position.
Nicely put.
The Stated Clerk speaks and writes in what I call “bubbles”. He makes statements and looks up and says to himself, “nice bubbles”. More or less admiring his own work. Same applies to most of the ideological trash produced by the PCUSA.
But one wonders, for a man possessed of such passion and political juice, at least always having plenty to say on a variety of issues, Ferguson being the most notable of his of bubbles, why is he voluntarily walking away from a job he was elected just last summer and comes as close to a job for life, as long as he wanted it.
The response is that he is a coward, intellectually and in life. He knows full well, the painful, gut wrenching downsizing of the PCUSA, Louisville is about to start, the PMA is just the beginning. He knows full well the extent and depth of that restructuring. And the process where that leads. As a weak man, he knows and is aware of his own weakness and limitations. Hence he gets out while he can and cashes his paychecks before the grits hits the fan. He is part and parcel of the mess that accumulated on his watch and rather than take responsibility or at least extend himself in the process of the great right-sizing, he exits stage right. No further commentary needed.
Interesting response to Presbyterian/Trump/immigration conversation: http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/commentary.trump.the.pcusa.and.false.teaching.on.immigration/49617.htm
Because the reaction to Donald Trump announcement that he is a Presbyterian is causing so much waves, I decided to write a book with my opinion about this topic. Here is the link: http://amzn.com/B015X1J0L0
Agreed Todd. Well stated. Another opportunity to weigh in that is sure to please the left. Would be nice to see some denominational input that wasn’t always safely within the boundaries of left-of-center politics.
I think we have enough problems in our own country with homelessness and poverty without taking in others. Charity begins at home.
Parsons vs Trump WWE. I’d pay-per-view that in a heartbeat.
Can the Layman place a filler news to drop Trump from the front page?
Sorta tired of seeing this charlatan’s face everywhere.