Moral Responsibility

          The term “moral responsibility” has been tossed about recently in connection with the tidal wave of people pouring over our southern border. According to the media, celebrities, and politicians of both parties, American citizens are morally responsible for the welfare of these children. Such pronouncements leave me wondering if the speaker knows what the term means or is confused about where he lives.

Moral responsibility is the requirement to act within the parameters of one’s view of right and wrong. Moral responsibility demands we behave according to what is right even when it is easier to do wrong. Therein, lays the problem. What is “right” to morally diverse America?

The President quoted the gospel of Matthew as the basis for making this decision. Even if you believe he agrees with the Bible, you can be certain a significant number of Americans do not. The Bible no longer represents American morality. No one is that misinformed. Even if the Bible did represent the morality of America, those who think Christians, en masse, are responsible for the poor and needy haven’t read the Bible thoroughly. Scripture lays responsibility for the indigent first at the feet of parents and family. “If any man or woman that believe have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” The principle applies to dependents of all types. In this case the family is dumping responsibility on the doorstep of others. This is not how neighbors love one another. If Christians have a moral responsibility, it is to return these children to their families.  

How about the Constitution? Sorry, no help there. The Constitution is a legal document, not a moral one and, right now, is not followed any more than the scriptures. The Constitution says one of the primary functions of government is to ensure domestic tranquility. Inviting trespassing and smuggling across the border; handcuffing law enforcement; burdening tax payers without their consent; and burying the unemployed under masses of competition for low paying/unskilled jobs; does not make for tranquility domestic or otherwise. 

Where are the shining examples of moral responsibility? Jesus taught His followers to “follow me.” As far as I know, no leader in any field has stepped up to set a moral precedent and lead by example. The White House hasn’t adopted or fostered any undocumented children. Senate Minority leader, Nancy Pelosi went to have a look at these kids, saw a divine spark, but didn’t open her home to any of them. Does anyone know if Glen Beck has taken any children in? I doubt it. None of our Congressmen or Senators here in Arizona is boasting about his efforts to shelter these refugees in his home. The leaders of our nation won’t take them in; they won’t deport them and they won’t stop them from coming. I see neither moral nor political responsibility being taken by our elected officials.

Before we assign morally responsible for these children, it is necessary to have morals and once you open that door, you’re in for more than caring for children. It is hypocritical to point the finger of moral responsibility at people who refuse to shelter children while cheering on the snuffing out of the unborn by the millions.

Moral responsibility is an individual mandate, not a political one. Think of me what you will, but I feel no moral obligation to abet criminals of any age. I will be helping to feed and house my enemies for the rest of my life. That’s my other cheek; my second mile; my coat and my cloak.