Idolatry and compassion

Editor:

From time to time, there are letters to the editor critical of Ed Lord and the Rev. Randy Mayer for their humanitarian efforts in support of migrants who have crossed our borders. The immigrants travel north from Mexico looking for a better life for themselves and their families. The criticism of Lord and Mayer have been so shrill at times, one would think that the two men, along with the Samaritans, were committing treason by their actions.

A little review of our nation’s history is in order. When the pioneers of yore moved west in search of a better life they had little concern for the Native Americans whose land they occupied. Treaties were made and broken always to the benefit of the pioneers. The westward movement that decimated the Native Americans was called “manifest destiny,” which can be translated “the will of God.”

After the United States annexed Texas in 1845, President John Tyler ordered aggressive action against Mexico. It is known as the Mexican - American War (1846-1848). Its purpose was to deprive Mexico of its land and extend the boundaries of the southwestern part of our country. Again the code phrase “manifest destiny” was used to justify our nation’s war against Mexico.

There were those who did not go along with such transparent aggression. One such person was Henry David Thoreau.

To pay for the war, the United States imposed a poll tax. As a matter of principle, Thoreau committed civil disobedience. He refused to pay the poll tax and was put in jail in Massachusetts.

When his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson visited him in jail, he said to Thoreau, “Henry why are you here?” To which Thoreau responded, “Ralph, why are you not here?”

During World War II, 1 spent a year and a half in Europe as a part of Gen. George Patton’s Third Army. I remember a sign posted over the entrance to one of Germany’s concentration camps. In translation it read, Germany Right or Wrong. The meaning was clear, Might Makes Right.

Manifest Destiny and Might Makes Right can both be translated into one word: IDOLATRY.

Mark Twain had it right when he wrote: Patriotism means to love your country always, and to support your government when it deserves it.

As we consider our relationships with others near and far, we are required at times to choose between idolatry and compassion.

Hal Fray, Green Valley