Right now, only about 3% of refugees are Christian (“Facts about the Syrian Refugees”). However, restricting the small pool of 2,000 refugees to only Christians would essentially be admitting no refugees. Putting religious restrictions on an applicant pool would be ineffective and wrong. America does not have “religious tests..[to its] compassion” (“Press Conference”). Having religious tests would demonstrate a misguided attempt to declare that Christians have a better moral compass than other religions, demonstrating a break from American ideals. The pilgrims, some of the first people to settle America were fleeing religious persecution. They found America to be a haven for the persecuted and the vulnerable. The first colonies, Maryland and Rhode Island, stressed the importance of religious freedom. Everyone was accepted. To deny Syrians entrance to America based on their religion goes against everything America as a country values. Even Pope Francis called upon Christians to accept those who were vulnerable and needed protection. He did not say to only protect the Christians or the Catholics, he asked America to protect all
Right now, only about 3% of refugees are Christian (“Facts about the Syrian Refugees”). However, restricting the small pool of 2,000 refugees to only Christians would essentially be admitting no refugees. Putting religious restrictions on an applicant pool would be ineffective and wrong. America does not have “religious tests..[to its] compassion” (“Press Conference”). Having religious tests would demonstrate a misguided attempt to declare that Christians have a better moral compass than other religions, demonstrating a break from American ideals. The pilgrims, some of the first people to settle America were fleeing religious persecution. They found America to be a haven for the persecuted and the vulnerable. The first colonies, Maryland and Rhode Island, stressed the importance of religious freedom. Everyone was accepted. To deny Syrians entrance to America based on their religion goes against everything America as a country values. Even Pope Francis called upon Christians to accept those who were vulnerable and needed protection. He did not say to only protect the Christians or the Catholics, he asked America to protect all