Why Are You Here?

December 28, 2015
|In Blog
|By Brian McLaren

My friend and colleague Valarie Kaur posted this heartbreaking news this morning:

Elderly #Sikh man beaten, collar bone broken, asked “WHY ARE YOU HERE” in town where #Sikhs have lived 100+ yrs.

Read more here:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/MySikhAmericanLife?src=hash
The assailants’ ignorant taunt is eerily and heartbreakingly resonant with the song I posted last week:

Not Welcome Here
A couple showed up last Sunday at church
They hoped we could help in their spiritual search
Their marriage is legal but our leaders say
It’s morally wrong so they sent them away and said …
Not welcome here, Not welcome here.
We have our beliefs to which we adhere
It’s a dangerous world. There’s much we should fear
So people like you are not welcome here.
A family showed up at border control
We want our kids to be safe. They said. That is our goal.
We’re homeless and hungry and frightened and poor
And our country is ravaged by hatred and war. We said
Not welcome here, not welcome here
How do we know if you are sincere?
It’s a dangerous world. There’s much we should fear
So people like you are not welcome here.
A couple rode in from some other town.
The woman was pregnant. They both looked worn down.
You know how things are. What else could I say?
I shut the door tight and sent them away.
Not welcome here. Not welcome here.
You know times are tough. Please don’t interfere.
It’s a dangerous world. There’s much we should fear.
So people like you are not welcome here.
Sometimes I wonder how it would be
If the tables were turned and instead it was me
A different religion or color of skin
A refugee hoping to be welcomed in …
You’re welcome here. You’re welcome here.
You’re safe here with us. You have nothing to fear.
It’s a dangerous world, but be of good cheer.
There’s a place here for you, and you’re welcome here.

You can hear the song and read about it here:
https://bryansirchioblog.wordpress.com/…/fear-love-christm…/
May God help each of us to convey “You’re welcome here” in all our actions – and may we stand up to ignorant bigotry wherever it appears.

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