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A true Christian nation would not abandon refugees

Linda Kushner, of Providence, R.I., center, displays a placard during a rally Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at the statehouse in Providence, demanding that Syrian refugees be allowed to enter Rhode Island and the United States following the terror attacks in Paris.
Linda Kushner, of Providence, R.I., center, displays a placard during a rally Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at the statehouse in Providence, demanding that Syrian refugees be allowed to enter Rhode Island and the United States following the terror attacks in Paris. Steven Senne AP

Gov. Rick Scott and Congressman Vern Buchanan both oppose receiving Syrian refugees. I wonder if they consider themselves elected officials of a Christian country, because that would be the lowest form of hypocrisy.

Christians do not abandon people in desperate need.

While they claim they are acting to protect Americans, they ignore the effect of their opposition, which, as President Obama says, will serve as a recruiting tool for Islamic extremists, who will say that this is one more demonstration that America doesn't care for the Muslim people.

In the long run, the attitude expressed by Scott and Buchanan is harmful to Americans.

Other countries face the same risk, yet welcome the refugees. Perhaps their elected officials are more humane than ours.

John Steinmeyer

Bradenton

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "A true Christian nation would not abandon refugees ."

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