May 7, 2010 | In: Immigration, Intellectual Life, Reasoning, Society, Truth
The Joy of Dialogue: Immigration
As I write this I have just returned from having breakfast with a few friends. We get together once in a while to enjoy good company, good food, and great conversation. I was thinking on my drive home how fortunate I am to have people with whom I can have deep intellectual discussions. As we talk we often get into debates and I tend to talk as a bit of a know-it-all, which makes me appreciate my friends even more for their patience and their willingness to engage me. However, it’s not that I think I’m right and they’re wrong. I listen to their arguments and test them. And then I test my own thought process, usually later in the day, and often will change my opinions and clarify my thinking about the issue we are discussing. Then, the next time we get together I will humbly explain how I have come to understand the issue more.
Today the main debate was about immigration. I was attempting to take the side of the United States bishops and to understand where they’re coming from in their opposition to the law passed by Arizona. However, as I argued with the person who is staunchly in favor of enforcing the immigration laws (and who is frankly at least of a know-it-all as I am, and therefore a lot of fun to debate), I began to refine my approach and my thoughts on the subject. Perhaps the bishops need to focus on identifying how our current laws are unjust to people who want to enter our country legally, and on fixing those laws if they are indeed unjust. Instead it seems they join the voices of those who would disregard the law completely and prefer to have them unenforceable. Immigration is a difficult topic for Catholics. We are called to generosity, but we are also called to the responsible use of our country’s resources. Catholic teaching does allow for cultures to protect their identity and in doing so to protect their borders against those who would enter illegally.
However, finding the balance between protection of one’s culture and borders on the one hand and being generous to those in need on the other hand is a prudential decision that is sometimes difficult for Catholics to agree on. Dialogue and debate in matters such as these is not only fun but fruitful.
I am indeed fortunate to have friends with whom I can debate and discuss and who will still respect me even when I’m wrong and or even when I stubbornly argue a point without appearing to listen to the other side. This is part of the intellectual life Catholics are invited to participate in. To read, think, and dialogue with others in order to discover truth is part of the joy of the intellectual tradition. If you find yourself mentally stagnating especially in the area of applying your faith to our culture, find some friends you can have respectful debates with and make an appointment to have breakfast with them on a regular basis. Not only will you have fun and fellowship with your friends, you’ll also discover the joy of interacting with the truth and trying to discover the best way to apply to our lives.
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