Greg Abbott Emulates the Cruel Values of Biblical Tyrants Over Those Of Jesus
Quick Summary:
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a self-proclaimed pro-life Christian conservative, promotes policies starkly opposing the welfare of children and migrants.
- Abbott’s aggressive border policies, notably Operation Lone Star, have endangered migrants by pushing them to risky Rio Grande crossings. The harsh tactics, including migrants being pushed into water, left without drinking water, and facing possible drowning, are deadly.
- Abbott’s actions have disturbing similarities to biblical tyrants Pharaoh and Herod, rather than reflecting the teachings of Jesus.
- Migrant suffering has surged under his rule, indicating a prioritization of political ambition over Christian empathy.
The Disturbing Paradox of Greg Abbott
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who often publicly wears his faith on his sleeve, professes to follow the compassionate teachings of Jesus. However, his political actions paint a strikingly different picture. These actions convey an unsettling indifference towards the plight of the most vulnerable, an attitude that starkly contradicts the principles of compassion and empathy that Christianity upholds.
Under his leadership, immigration policies mirror the hardness of the biblical tyrants like Pharaoh and Herod rather than the teachings of Jesus. Pharaoh, known for his enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt, and Herod, infamous for the Massacre of the Innocents, are held in the Bible as cautionary tales of leaders who turned their backs on humanity.
Matthew 18:6 (NKJV) warns against causing harm to children, stating, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Abbott, however, is widely criticized for implementing policies that expose children to harm, leading to his actions being likened to the biblical despots the Bible warns against.
A Profound Indifference to Suffering
In his quest for political ascension, Abbott seems to have turned a blind eye to a basic tenet of his professed faith: compassion for all of God’s children. Critics argue that he appears to be mounting his political stature on a mountain of human tragedy — the desperation of migrants who risked their lives for a better future only to perish while crossing the Rio Grande.
The Bible is explicit about how one should treat foreigners. Leviticus 19:34 commands, “The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
However, the reality at the border under Abbott’s watch stands in stark contrast to this biblical admonition. The escalating crisis and reports of inhuman treatment of migrants suggest a chilling disregard for the plight of the very people the scriptures urge followers to assist and protect.
The Pursuit of Power Over Human Dignity
Abbott’s heavy-handed immigration policies, critics say, prioritize power and political standing over human dignity. They argue that these policies seem to trample upon the basic Christian principles of mercy, empathy, and love for one’s neighbor, which Abbott professes to uphold.
Deuteronomy 27:19 warns, “’Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.’ Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’” However, Abbott’s actions indicate a withholding of justice from these vulnerable groups, contradicting his claimed allegiance to the principles of his faith.
Moreover, Abbott has faced criticism for his ‘political theater’, such as the well-publicized move of bussing migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris’s home on Christmas Eve, 2022. Such acts, critics argue, further emphasize Abbott’s willingness to use the lives of migrants as political tools, a practice diametrically opposed to the Christian principle of valuing all human life.
The Unforgivable Human Toll
Reports from the border paint a grim picture of the human toll these policies are exacting. Heart-wrenching stories of migrants, including young children and pregnant women, suffering severe harm or losing their lives while attempting to cross into the U.S. are all too common.
One particularly horrifying report detailed a seven-hour period where multiple migrants, including a four-year-old girl and a pregnant woman, endured extreme distress due to deterrence strategies enforced under Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
These narratives serve as a haunting reminder of the devastating reality faced by these migrants. They underscore the contrast between Abbott’s actions and the Christ-like empathy he claims to embody, driving home the chilling parallels to Matthew 25:40’s admonition, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”
A Stark Contrast to Christian Values
Abbott’s approach to immigration and the consequential human suffering starkly contrast the Christian values he proclaims. They also highlight a disturbing incongruity between his actions and the biblical teachings he avows.
His approach seems to hold far more in common with the biblical figures of Pharaoh and Herod – known for their indifference to human suffering and quest for power – than with the teachings of Jesus, who espoused compassion, empathy, and love.
As the crisis continues to unfold, it begs the question: Can a leader who so blatantly ignores the welfare of “the least of these” truly align with the teachings of Jesus? The answer seems clear.
For More Information:
- Wikipedia: Pharaoh’s Daughter (Exodus) Read more here
- Wikipedia: Massacre of the Innocents Read more here
- Arkansas Times: Greg Abbott’s Christmas Carol Read more here
- CNN: Texas Troopers Migrant Treatment Concerns Read more here
- Salon: Greg Abbott blasted for cruel stunt as migrants bussed to Kamala Harris’ home on Christmas Eve Read more here
- Reuters: Mexican president urges Mexican-Americans not to vote for Abbott over border spat Read more here
