I could hear the crowd’s shortness of breath in the sanctuary on Sunday. During the Palm celebration on Sunday, my pastor told us about an email that about 25 people in our community had received it a few days ago. Since then, I have read the email myself. I am in a completely devastated state.
For over a year, we had the great privilege of worshiping alongside Christians who fled the Taliban, a small group of Afghan refugees. These were strong and brave people, and all were forced to flee Afghanistan – their homes, their large families, they knew – followed by arrest and torture by the Taliban for their faith. The word “torture” is not used lightly. I’ve heard the stories of their incarceration firsthand, and it’s like the worst scene in the film, the one I can’t see with my eyes closed. This is something my friend, our brothers and sisters, endured.
Their journey to the US was miserable, long and complicated, but they all went legally into the US. That’s not really easy. Immigration authorities interview individuals to assess whether they are facing reliable fears of persecution and torture in their home countries. All of these individuals were deemed to be faced with such reliable fears, and were recognized for legal status documented to be in the country, to obtain a work permit, obtain a driver’s license, rent an apartment, and to do all the usual things necessary to self-support.
Following that interview, all of these people applied for asylum, which is a much longer process. It can take months or even years to reach a judge who can control asylum applications. However, all these individuals have taken these steps and are opening asylum. Future court dates have been set. They follow all the rules.
And that’s important in all of this. These are not criminals. They are not members of violent foreign gangs. They have not committed any crimes while they were in the United States. They did not enter illegally. They are not documented. In these categories there is a much more complicated conversation about immigration. These discussions about Afghan Christians are much easier.
Despite following all the rules and procedures, these Afghan Christians are currently facing deportation. They were given seven days to leave the country. As of today, there are three days left.
But they can’t go anywhere. The only legal option they have is to return to Afghanistan. If they do, they will be tortured and killed. This is not just a possibility, it’s certainty. And it’s not just these 25 Christians, but hundreds of Christians across the country. Furthermore, this same action applies to Afghans who risked their lives to work with the US military during their years of activities within the country. These are our brothers and our allies.
In two ways, this should hinder us and lead us to action. As Christians, we recognize that government authority comes from God. But we also recognize that there is a fair and unfair government. Perhaps the most famous passage in the Bible related to government is in verse 13 of the Romans, and Paul wrote in verse 1 that “everyone should be subject to the governing authority.” But he also states in verses 3 and 4, “Do the ruler fear not the bad guy, not the fear of good behaviour? And then not what is good?
These Afghan Christians continue to do what is good. They’re not doing anything wrong. They should not be afraid of people of authority. Those who face credible fears of persecution and torture in their country should not be forced to live in fear here after fleeing to the United States. Still, they are living this week in very real fear.
With Paul, “I urge all people, the kings, and our Afghanistan Christian brothers and sisters) to be made for all peoples who can live a life of honor, dignity, peaceful and dignity in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). I praise you for living quietly, caring about your own problems, and aiming to cooperate with your hands, as we have directed, for you to walk properly before the outsider and not depend on anyone (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
This is not something we should have been like, not just as Christians, but also as Americans. We are a country that invites “a gathering masses who long to breathe freely.” The heart of our identity is the establishment of ideals of freedom, freedom of religion, and justice. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson writes that all men are granted the right to God to pursue life, freedom and happiness, and that the government is enacted among men with the aim of ensuring these rights. That’s what we are asking for now to get the US government to do. These Afghan Christians only want the opportunity to pursue life, freedom and happiness. They want to work hard within our rules, take on our culture, learn our language, live among us. They do not seek government handouts and do not want to commit criminal acts. They just want to live without fear of arrest, torture or death for their faith. This isn’t that much to ask.
Pray for mercy and write to the senators, representatives and the White House. Our best hope to help our brothers and allies is to hear our collective voices.
Originally published by the Christian Post and reissue with permission.
