Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Thank you to Pastor Pamela Miles, of Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church, for her poignant, "Christ was Not White" article in the July 8th edition of the Beacon.

I would also like to point out that, by today's standards, Jesus and his disciples were homeless and dependent on social services.

We should also realize that Jesus taught those who committed themselves to his teachings, to provide food, clothing, shelter and medical services, to those who are impoverished. This is where Christ's maxim, "as you have done it (or will do) unto the least of these, you have done it unto me," came from.

Compare this with the responses given by those who profess to be Christian, or a member of any humanitarian religion, who oppose Mukilteo's adaptation of the Housing Action Plan. For example, City councilmember Joe Marine recently wrote that, as much as he would like to live on Mercer Island, he can't afford it. This statement implies that, if you can't afford to live in Mukilteo, then go live elsewhere. Like, maybe live in the projects, with little hope of having a better life? Councilmember Marine's most recent justification for opposing the HAP was, "How do you move Mukilteo into the future? You start by listening to the residents." Joe also believes in local control, that we create our destiny, and that we do that by listening to our citizens and our residents.

Comparatively speaking, are the residents he's referencing similar to those individuals who vehemently oppose the integration of minorities into their communities during the civil rights movement? I want to make it clear that I do not support allowing those who are criminals or those who habitually abuse the system, to be a recipient of an affordable housing unit. What I do support is, doing unto the least of those who are in need of, and searching for, compassion, inclusion, and an opportunity to be liberated from violence and impoverishment.

Rod Amburgy

Everett