[Professor’s Note: Since we didn’t have any many blog posts for Unit V as were expected, I’m adding some extra content. Take a look at the following blog post by Rod Dreher and comment on it HERE, on our course blog.]
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/francis-the-camp-of-the-saints/
What do you think?
Fifty Shades of Ethics 
Unlike what Pope Francis said, I do not think that we, the “people and institutions,” should have to ask for forgiveness just because the person or institution decides to close their doors to immigrants. I do not think that it is morally wrong for a nation to defend its borders. The author, Rod Dreher, makes a valid point in his article when he claims that it is our duty to save as many lives as we can and to protect people, but when will that end? Dreher asks the question of, “when will one’s duty to its own country take precedence?” I have to agree with him on this topic. I do believe that we should offer help, in some way, to genuine refugees. However, when you allow everyone and anyone to enter into a country you end up allowing people in that are not true refugees. You end up letting in people that just want to live a more materialistic life. In reading the essay by Joseph Carens, he made a statement that has really stuck with me. He states “it does no one any good to take so many people into the boat that it is swamped and everyone drowns.” (297). I believe this statement applies here because when we allow so many immigrants just to come into our country or other countries for that matter, it ends up hurting that nation in some way. It could cause that nation to “drown”, so to speak. How would our country or another country be able to support so many people without going under? I believe a nation should have policies and regulations regarding immigration and to be able to defend their own borders- if they wish. I thought this article was very interesting and allowed me to think even more deeply about this topic. The author Rod Dreher made some very interesting and valid points.
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Pope Francis and Jean Raspail both make very good, but very different points in their beliefs. Jean Raspail wrote the satire, The Camp of the Saints, in 1971. It is a futuristic story where “third worlders” begin to take over Europe and its borders. He argues that it is unfair and unjust for progressive nations to allow immigrants into their country. Pope Francis disagrees, and states that we are to feed and shelter people fleeing from war and persecution. We should not close doors on people seeking a family or to be protected. Pope Francis described the sinking of a migrant boat off of the coast of Italy as a “disgrace”. However, people such as Raspail might argue that many of these boat people are Muslims and some Islamic terrorists. I believe that it is up to us to “Love Thy Neighbor”, as the Bible states. We never know when we might be entertaining angels, and as a Christian, the points stated by the Pope pertaining to the sinking of the boat are, in my opinion, valid. I do not believe all of these immigrants are seeking a better life or help from their neighbor. Some may be looking for material comfort. Some may even be terrorists, as stated above. Therefore, there must be some guidelines and regulations put into use when dealing with these immigrants. I believe as an American, it is our duty to help, support, and encourage anyone who wants to have a better life, but we must do so in an orderly way. The American way.
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They both have good arguments and are very clear on their beliefs. I feel compelled to choose a side, in which I honestly can’t. I find it hard to say that just because you don’t need to be here that you can’t or to say that only those endanger can seek refuge in my country. I see it like this, if I was in a lower country trying to get to a bigger, more industrialized one; it would be the same as me trying to upgrade from working at Burger King to becoming a Social Worker. Although i can survive off Burger King’s pay, I want more. So how can we decide who is right and who is wrong knowing that if we was in their place we would do the same.
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I honestly, feel bad for some People’s situations in other countries, but why should we not have the right to defend our borders and our way of life? If we continue to allow these people with no skills then eventually, won’t our country become what they were trying to escape? You can’t feed all of the homeless and you can’t house all the weary.
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