Jackson Free Press

Biblical doctrine teaches that Jesus Christ, in the New Testament, established a foundation for Christians to live by. One of the fundamental components of that foundation includes helping those less fortunate. When they require assistance, Christians are highly encouraged to abet in any way possible.

Of course, those deemed less fortunate can, at times, fall into the realm of subjectivity. However, subjectivity can be thrown out the window when it comes to Syrian refugees. Because of a civil war waged by President/mass murderer Bashar al-Assad (who looks more like an insurance salesman) on his own people, millions of people have had to flee Syria based on fear of persecution.

As that region of the world deals with crisis after crisis, which includes heinous terrorist acts by ISIS, Syrian refugees desperately need assistance, both short and long term. Much-needed relief can come in the form of the U.S. opening her arms, as she has done for virtually all of us, as our ancestry is made up of those who immigrated here, both voluntarily and involuntary, except, of course, for the Native Americans.

One would assume that the U.S., with Mississippi as the epicenter of the Bible Belt, would have arms wide open toward the Syrian refugees, while the band Creed ironically plays "Arms Wide Open" in the background.

Unfortunately, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who identifies as Christian, has chosen to join a large number of state governors, most of whom also Republican "Christ following" folk, in pledging to refuse Syrian refugees should the federal government send them to states like Mississippi.

The governors assert they are responding to heightened concerns that terrorists might use the refugees as cover to sneak across borders. The reasoning for this response stems from an Associated Press report last week in which authorities stated that a Syrian passport was found near one of the attackers on Friday. The Paris prosecutors' office also said that fingerprints from the attacker match those of an individual who passed through Greece in October.

The strategy of exclusivity from political leaders like Gov. Phil Bryant can be described as discriminatory, unrealistic, asinine and very non-Christ-like. Sure, we all want to minimize terrorist threats as much as possible, but spewing hateful political speech such as refugees being disallowed to enter one's state or that they would need to take a "religious test" doesn't minimize the threat. In fact, it creates hate, which is the foundation of both global and domestic terrorism.

If the United States were to refuse innocent refugees looking for relief, including women, the elderly and small children, our moral bankruptcy would soon follow.

Policy-wise, our immigration-vetting process is one of the more rigorous, if not the most in the world, especially since the 9/11 attacks. The Obama administration has already spoken out against this idiotic political rhetoric, stating that it takes 18 to 24 months to clear a refugee for entry, following vetting by the U.S. intelligence community and other agencies, as well as biometrics.

Governors like Phil Bryant, as well as certain presidential candidates like Donald Trump, are clearly trying to conjure fear in the form of political speech rather than focus on national security.

But let's push policy aside for a second, because I know brainstorming policy matters isn't exactly the strongest attribute for a lot of the politicians mentioned above. Instead, let's ask the simple question of "What would Jesus do?" Or, WWJD.

We must remember that one of the fundamental building blocks of Christianity is to help those who are less fortunate than oneself. Providing a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of people facing mass persecution would fall in the realm of helping those less fortunate, correct?

So, if that is established, wouldn't Gov. Bryant's first and only reaction be to welcome Syrian refugees to the great state of Mississippi? A state filled with devout Christians, including its governor?

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case as Bryant, along with a slew of other "Christ-loving" political leaders, have more or less stated they don't give a damn about what Jesus would do in this situation.

Fortunately, this is a federal matter, and state governors, including Bryant, have no power to refuse Syrian refugees. Bryant's rhetoric is clearly a political ploy.

However, political rhetoric turns into propaganda, propaganda turns into fear, fear turns into hatred, and hatred turns into discrimination. I hope the American people, Christians and non-Christians alike, ignore the Phil Bryants of the world and simply ask ourselves, WWJD?

Leslie B. McLemore II is a Jackson native, now in Washington, D.C. He is a proud graduate of Jackson State University, North Carolina Central University School of Law (J.D.) and American University Washington College of Law (LL.M.).