A strongly written church sign has generated a lot of buzz on social media over the past couple of days as the immigration crisis continues to dominate the national media. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, which is located just across the street from U.S. Capitol Building, posted this message across the sign outside its building:
“‘I was a stranger and you ripped my child from me’ Wait a second …”
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The sign references a Biblical passage found Matthew 25:35, which reads, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
“The sign (below) at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society building adjacent to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.,” tweeted Rev. Dr. Michele Shields, along with a picture of the sign.
The sign (below) at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society building adjacent to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. I am proud to be a United Methodist minister. pic.twitter.com/OCetUXgitW
— Rev. Dr. Michele Shields (@kahumikala) June 17, 2018
“I am proud to be a United Methodist minister,” she added.
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society also tweeted the image themselves, tagging the Justice Department.
#KeepFamiliesTogether @TheJusticeDept pic.twitter.com/QOXkStPW9B
— Church & Society UMC (@umcjustice) June 15, 2018
Responses to the tweet were mixed, with some tweeting back other pictures of church signs which openly condemn the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
— Kelly Snowflake ? (@ksteinmetz1975) June 16, 2018
“Thank you, United Methodist, for truly preaching about Scripture,” another replied, presumably in reference to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ controversial use of scripture when discussing the administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society called on Sessions, who is himself a Methodist, to reverse the policy immediately.
“The Christ we follow would have no part in ripping children from their mothers’ arms or shunning those fleeing violence,” the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe wrote in a statement, as reported by the Hill. “It is unimaginable that faith leaders even have to say that these policies are antithetical to the teachings of Christ.”