MORAL OR POLITICAL

A FAVORITE TACTIC OF WRITERS AND THINKERS IS TO MORALIZE THE POLITICAL AND POLITICIZE THE MORAL. WHEN POPE BENEDICT XVI INTRODUCED THE SUBJECT OF A SERIOUS DIALOGUE BETWEEN REASON AND RELIGION, HE DIDN'T FORESEE THAT POLITICS AND MORALITY WOULD BE PUT INTO THE CROSS HAIRS AND BE INTERPRETED AT CROSS PURPOSES. TOO BAD.

THE SUBJECT OF IMMIGRATION ALSO LENDS ITSELF TO DISTORTIONS AND OVER-REACTIONS. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER WE ALLOW IMMIGRANTS, HOW MANY AND BY WHAT LEGAL PROCEDURE IS A POLITICAL ISSUE. YET SOME CHRISTIANS, ACTIVISTS AND POLITICIANS HAVE TURNED IT INTO A MORAL DEBATE. PERSONAL ATTACKS ON IMMIGRANTS OCCUR, LIES ARE DELIBERATELY SPREAD ABOUT THEM, COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES ARE INVOKED AND POLITICIANS PANDER FOR VOTES. ANOTHER MORAL QUESTION IS WHAT DOES JUSTICE MEAN FOR IMMIGRANTS. A VICTIM OF INHUMANE, IMMORAL TREATMENT MAY BE A WILLING PARTICIPANT IN ILLEGAL ENTRY UNDER INHUMANE CONDITIONS INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE POLITICAL QUESTIONS ARE WHAT CONSTITUTES LEGALITY AND ILLEGALITY.

WE ALL KNOW WHY THEY COME. MARY ACTIN, WHO ARRIVED AT ELLIS ISLAND, GLORIFIES THE CAUSE IN 'THE PROMISED LAND.' "SO AT LAST, I WAS GOING TO AMERICA! REALLY, REALLY GOING, AT LAST! THE BOUNDARIES BURST. THE ARCH OF HEAVEN SOARED. A MILLION SUNS SHONE OUT FOR EVERY STAR. THE WINDS RUSHED IN FROM OUTER SPACE, ROARING IN MY EARS, 'AMERICA! AMERICA!' "

THE ROMANTIC DREAM HAS NOT DIED. IMMIGRANTS STILL DIE TO GET IN. THE PROBLEM WON'T GO AWAY. RATIONALITY AND RELIGION MUST COME TOGETHER TO SEEK A SOLUTION.