Jeff Sessions inexplicably cited the Bible yesterday to justify separating the children of illegal border-crossers from their parents. So far as I am able to sort it out, here is what is going on.
Federal law forbids housing children with imprisoned parents who await prosecution. So far, so good; children should not be in prison.
The Trump administration’s new zero tolerance policy requires that all illegal border-crossers be imprisoned and prosecuted (the charge is a federal misdemeanor). Since the parents are in prison awaiting trial, the children are separated from them and removed to temporary housing.
The law didn’t contemplate prosecuting all attempts to cross the border, however, so what we have here is — maybe — an unintended consequence. I say “maybe” because gratuitous cruelty is a commonplace within Trump’s orbit, and a couple of administration officials have made offhand remarks that suggest a deliberate policy of separating children from their parents as a device for discouraging attempts to cross the border.
Enter Pious Jeff when confronted with reports that an infant was separated from the mother who was breastfeeding it.
I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes.
Presidential Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, daughter of famed Holy Man Mike Huckabee, struck a similar note:
it’s very biblical to enforce the law.
The Biblical instruction at issue appears to come from Romans 13:
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
So there you go: Jesus doesn’t want those children to be with their parents, and He put Trump and Sessions there to enforce His will — and you can look forward to eternal damnation if you don’t shut up, suck-it-up, and do as you’re told.
The other possibility, I guess, is that the Bible is full of degrading nonsense — but only wicked people believe that.