Made in the Image of God

The tragedy in Tucson, that took place a few weeks ago, has caused us to reflect on the words we use and how we treat one another. Politicians in particular are reflecting on how they talk about their opponents and how that is portrayed in the media and conveyed to the public. In my fundraising class that I am taking at EMU we learned that words and images can trigger responses in our brain and ultimately affect how we act and think about things and people.

What words do we use that can have an effect on what people think or do?

In the Bible class that I am facilitating about Immigration and the Bible, we talked about the word "illegal" or "illegal immigrant" and how the word "illegal" has a derogatory tone and can cause hatred towards immigrants.

In his book Christians at the Border; Immigration, the Church, and the Bible, M. Daniel Carroll R., says,
"I prefer the word undocumented rather than illegal for several reasons. Illegal can carry a pejorative connotation, suggesting by definition that the person is guilty of some act, has few scruples, and is prone to civil disobedience. This is not the case with the overwhelming majority of Hispanic immigrants. Most would gladly regularize their status with the government, but the person system simply does not provide the appropriate avenues to do so."

In the Bible class we read Genesis1:26-31 and talked about what it meant to be made in the image of God. We said that to be made in the image of God is to know that we all have value and that we should be treated with respect.

The National Commission on Religion and Race has actually started a campaign called Drop the I-Word, No Child of God is Illegal.

Check out this campaign and use the material that is part of at a Bible study.

Please let us all as Children of God love and respect each other in our actions and in our words.