Two major issues are beginning to frame the political landscape – inequality and immigration. The overlap is obvious, but there seems little question that these two issues are exerting great pressure. They are also two issues on which, I would argue, the church has a unique opportunity to speak into.
However to avoid, naive or simplistic analysis or solutions, some homework is required. Here are some recent good articles on immigration and some further resources drawn from a couple of books I have on the subject.
Articles
- In pictures: A migrant’s journey
- The current situation isn’t limited to Syria but that’s a key component. Wired has some maps on the Syrian refugee crisis
- While it is true that a large number of muslims are entering Europe, so are a large number of Christians
- The Economist reports on the response of Christians across Europe
- One issue raised is about migrants converting to Christianity once in Europe in the hope to improve their chances. As this video suggests, there may be more to it than that.
- Alistair Roberts wrote about the crisis here. I responded here and Alistair replied in a lengthy comment, which is well worth reading.
- Tom Wright adds his opinion in The Spectator. Of course he does. NT Wright & Roberts end their pieces with a call that Christians respond with the wisdom of servants but the innocence of doves, yet their pieces seem to end in different places.
websites
In his book Asylum & Immigration Nick Spencer lists the following websites for further reading (UK only).
- Equality & Human Rights Commission
- Centre on Migration, Policy & Society
- Home Office
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- International Catholic Migration Commission
- Migration Watch UK
- Refugee Council
- UNHCR
