THE GOOD SAMARITAN AND THE ALABAMA GOVERNOR

What would Jesus Do? If he were caught helping an illegal in Alabama, he’d get Arrested.

The parable told by the character Jesus in the Gospel of Luke 10-:25-37, which tells the story of the Good Samaritan, is probably one of the most admirable stories in the Christian Bible and is very agreeable to atheists, agnostics and humanists. In fact, it is a key tenet of secular humanism which is why I am so fond of it. 

It is a story that champions love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness and tolerance over intolerance.

Of course the ethics of this parable do not originate with the tales of Jesus or exemplify the overall moral principles taught by the Gospels but it does appeal to the more caring sensibilities of liberal believers.

As for your average conservative, right wing Christian like Governor Robert Bentley, the Gospel teachings of Matthew 5:17-19, 10:21, 10:34, 11:20, 15:4-7, 19:29, Mark 7:9 and Luke 12:47 may be more appealing.

Also posted at blogspot.

Related Posts:

• * Interfaith March Planned Against Alabama Immigration Law In Birmingham
• * A Personal Request from a Concerned Human Being
• * Alabama Governors Apology a Second Slap in the Face for Non-religious People
• * Alabama’s New Evangelical Governor Alienates Non-Christians
• * New Ala. gov: Just Christians are his family
• * Alabama governor declares non-Christians are ‘not his brothers and sisters’ on day of his inauguration
• * Freedom From Religion Foundation sends Alabama Governor a letter of objection

Interfaith March Planned Against Alabama Immigration Law In Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - Opponents of Alabama’s tough new law against illegal immigration are planning an interfaith protest march in downtown Birmingham.

Faith-based groups said Tuesday they’re organizing the demonstration for Saturday to protest the law, which they call unjust.

Some church leaders say the law violates Christian principles, and many are worried about whether the law’s provisions against knowingly assisting illegal immigrants will prevent churches from reaching out to people who could be in the country illegally.

The march will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Birmingham’s Linn Park. Sponsors include church and social justice groups.

As a secular humanist and an Alabamian, I agree wholeheartedly with the faith-based groups in that this new law is unjust. Although the motives of these groups may not be entirely selfless, It’s good to see them banding together on the liberal side of the ideological fence for a change.

As NPR just reported last week, Governor Robert Bentley—the same evangelical Governor who alienated non-Christians during his inauguration and later slapped non-religious Alabama citizens up side the head with a feeble apology—recently singed into law the Nation’s harshest anti-immigrant law.

This new law, known as the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, obliges police to arrest anyone that looks like an illegal immigrant if they’re stopped for any other reason, requires public schools to determine students’ immigration status and also makes it a crime to transport an illegal immigrant for any reason.  

Several secular human rights and civil rights organizations are already scheduled to participate in this protest and hopefully the atheist, agnostic and humanist community in the area will also be invited to participate as a group. 

If you live in the area and oppose the new law, please try to attend.

Also posted at blogspot.