Pseudo-ethical Rhetoric and Illegal Immigration
Today, Jerry Johnston went on a rant in the Deseret News about Arizona's tough new immigration law, essentially accusing anyone who disagrees with him of being a grossly immoral and unethical person. He's dead wrong, though.
Let's apply Johnston's anti-Arizona rhetoric to other areas of the law, like investor fraud. Rewriting Johnston only a bit, "Utah has thousands of active LDS members who have conducted investment frauds. Many have children who did not participate in the fraud. The thought of one group of tithe-paying Mormons going after another group of tithe-paying Mormons is too unsavory. It flies in the face of Christian ideals."
See how that works, Jerry? Situational ethics and in-group favoritism can cover up any crime. By your logic, Utah should never prosecute any Mormon fraudsters. Fortunately, in this state we Mormons do take on the "unsavory thought" of prosecuting Mormon criminals, or the Deseret News would be a much thinner paper.
And make no mistake about it, illegal immigration is a knowing, voluntary crime. The illegal immigrant knows he is unwanted, and comes here without permission in order to take something of value (a job) that otherwise would go to one of the 10% or more of Americans (citizens and law-abiding immigrants) who is unemployed. If that is not theft, then the word has no meaning.
The New Testament tells me not to sue my fellow-religionist in Caesar's courts, but does not tell me to hide another's crimes from Caesar.
You cloak your sympathies with high-flown rhetoric, so your friends can steal bread from my neighbors. Thanks Jerry.
Let's apply Johnston's anti-Arizona rhetoric to other areas of the law, like investor fraud. Rewriting Johnston only a bit, "Utah has thousands of active LDS members who have conducted investment frauds. Many have children who did not participate in the fraud. The thought of one group of tithe-paying Mormons going after another group of tithe-paying Mormons is too unsavory. It flies in the face of Christian ideals."
See how that works, Jerry? Situational ethics and in-group favoritism can cover up any crime. By your logic, Utah should never prosecute any Mormon fraudsters. Fortunately, in this state we Mormons do take on the "unsavory thought" of prosecuting Mormon criminals, or the Deseret News would be a much thinner paper.
And make no mistake about it, illegal immigration is a knowing, voluntary crime. The illegal immigrant knows he is unwanted, and comes here without permission in order to take something of value (a job) that otherwise would go to one of the 10% or more of Americans (citizens and law-abiding immigrants) who is unemployed. If that is not theft, then the word has no meaning.
The New Testament tells me not to sue my fellow-religionist in Caesar's courts, but does not tell me to hide another's crimes from Caesar.
You cloak your sympathies with high-flown rhetoric, so your friends can steal bread from my neighbors. Thanks Jerry.
posted by Steve Setzer | 9:03 AM
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