"Common Humanity" Should Trump Nationality

Michael Gerson on the immigration debate:

The Christian faith teaches that our common humanity is more important than our nationality. That all of us, ultimately, are strangers in this world and brothers to the bone; and all in need of amnesty. This belief does not dictate certain policies in a piece of legislation, but it does forbid rage and national chauvinism. And this is worth a reminder as well.

Well said.  The conviction that our faith has to do with our common humanity, rather than our nationality, also should inform the thinking of  Christian Americans about other issues.  I hope Michael Gerson (and other Christians who are politically conservative) will talk about this theme in other contexts as well. 

Comments

[Jonathan]

I posted this on another blog that quoted the statement, and after some edits I thought I'd comment here as well.
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I don't think there is an issue here when it comes to immigration, honestly. We want immigrants to come over! The "Great American Melting Pot," right? Christians and non-Christians alike are fine with having LEGAL immigrants come over in the correct process, in order to preserve the safety of the nation they have chosen to abide in.

The problem is when those immigrants decide they can short change the system the gurantees safety for our nation. We cannot overlook illegal actions in order to apease these people...not just because that in and of itself is wrong, but also because we are only dishonoring those that attempt to enter our country the correct way.

That is an issue not of Patriotism (which you seem to wish to step away from) or Faith, it is an issue of right and wrong, and the safety of my country and my home.

[Jim Gadberry]

I agree with Jonathan 100%, it's not the "immigrints" it is the "Illegal" that is wrong and I don't agree with our government in overlooking the "illegal" and giving them amnesty.