Bishops make Alabama immigration law matter of religious freedom

From Orlando about Alabama-

Episcopal, Roman Catholic and Methodist bishops have joined with civil rights groups to challenge an immigration bill signed into law in June by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on grounds it violates religious freedom.

The law makes harboring, transporting or shielding undocumented people a criminal offense. Yet faith communities are often transporting immigrants to church, hospitals, and events, while assisting them with food, shelter and school supplies—the very hospitality commanded by scriptures.

“Religion is not just about what we do on Sunday morning in worship, it’s about how we live and love our neighbor, how we do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God in our dealings with each other. But the law creates a climate of fear…” says the Right Reverend Henry Nutt Parsley, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. ”We are people under the law and we have to be obedient to the laws, but laws have to reflect the morality of the culture.”

Republican Senator Bryan Taylor claims the law is meant to crack down on employers who are knowingly hiring illegal immigrants and to provide more employment opportunities for the citizens of Alabama, one reason his constituents largely support it.

More here-

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features-the-religion-world/2011/09/15/bishops-make-alabama-immigration-law-matter-of-religious-freedom/