Reclaiming immigration as a theological term with spiritual ramifications. Issue 3 (15th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boursier, Helen T.
• Is Part Of: Dialog. Volume 60:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 301
• Publication Date: 2021-07-15
• Subjects: art therapy in detention -- asylum -- border -- child migrants -- ethical accountability -- willful ignorance; Theology -- Periodicals; 230.41
• DOI: 10.1111/dial.12686
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-2033

Abstract

Abstract: Too many of my Protestant clergy colleagues avoid preaching, teaching, leading, or engaging with anything immigration‐related because it is deemed "political" and too contentious by their congregants. Their collective silence creates contributes to a spiritual malaise for clergy and their congregations who willfully dodge, ignore, or deny the church's individual and collective response to this urgent social concern. Drawing from qualitative ethnographic interviews with clergy colleagues, this article provides an overview of their excuses and calls for the church to reclaim immigration as a theological term that has spiritual ramifications.