The Ethics of Displacement and Migration in the Abrahamic Faiths: Enlightening Believers and Aiding Public Policy

Abstract

Strengthening contemporary approaches to public policy regarding migrants and displaced people can be aided by studying ancient religious texts (here of the Abrahamic faiths). To do this entails believers and non-believers having a greater grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of these texts and traditions. After formulating an interfaith theology of migration, I will examine a select group of stories and themes of displacement and migration in the Tanach, Talmud, gospels and Qur'an. This interreligious focus will help to reveal the tensions and ethical overlaps of how these Abrahamic faiths implement or fail to practice hospitality, establish just ethical policies for the treatment of the range of migrants and displaced persons in our world and highlight the relevance of these religious texts in contributing to the ongoing public discussion of the ethics of migration and displacement.