On Feb. 11, ­Mennonite Church USA joined with 26 other religious groups in a lawsuit against the federal government. The suit challenges the Trump administration’s decision to reverse the Department of Homeland Security’s “sensitive locations” policy that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement from conducting immigration raids at houses of worship.

Now, ICE can raid houses of worship with just an administrative warrant signed by ICE. Previously, a judicial warrant was required, or “exigent circumstances” (imminent danger) needed to be present.

MC USA was the first to join the suit, which is why the case is called Mennonite Church USA et al. v. ­United States Department of Homeland Security et al.

Many Mennonites have responded: “Wait, I thought Mennonites didn’t believe in suing others.”

I offer three points in response.

First, Mennonites traditionally don’t believe in suing other Mennonites or Christians. This comes from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:1-9.

Jesus taught that if someone sues you for your shirt, you should give your coat, too. He was teaching his followers not to seek revenge or eye-for-an-eye justice. Paul was concerned about Christians suing one another. He believed church communities should be able to solve their own problems. Taking another Christian to court looked bad for the church.

These teachings are still important today. We should try to solve problems peacefully within our church community. Revenge is not allowed for Jesus’ followers, because it creates more violence.

But these teachings don’t ban all lawsuits. They’re specifically about conflicts between Christians.

Second, Mennonites believe in the separation of church and state. When Anabaptism began during the Reformation, the church and the government were mixed together. Babies were baptized as both church members and citizens. The government enforced church rules. There was little freedom to disagree with the government.

Separation of church and state works two ways:
The church should be free from government control.
The church should not use government power to force its beliefs on others.

Is our lawsuit trying to get the government to do what the church wants? No. We’re not trying to make the government force our beliefs on others. We’re asking it not to interfere with our right to practice our faith freely, which is protected by the Constitution.

What faith practices are we talking about?

We’re asking the government not to interfere with our right to give sanctuary to immigrants in our churches.

Jesus said the greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” ­(Matthew 22:34-40).

When asked “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told the story of the good ­Samaritan. In this story, a Samaritan — someone Jews didn’t get along with — helped a badly injured stranger whom religious leaders had walked right past. Jesus concluded by saying we should show mercy to anyone in need.

As Mennonites, we believe Jesus commands us to show mercy and help anyone in trouble. Our faith doesn’t let us ignore people who need help.

This lawsuit isn’t asking the government to stop enforcing laws. It’s asking the government to enforce laws in ways that don’t stop us from following Jesus’ command to love our neighbors.

Third, the apostle Paul, in Acts 22, gives us an example of using our rights as citizens. Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, which gave him special rights. He used these rights to avoid punishment and get a hearing before Caesar.

In our lawsuit, we’re using our First Amendment rights as U.S. citizens to practice our religion freely. This is important, not just for us, but for everyone in the United States.

MC USA didn’t join this lawsuit to get revenge. We’re not asking the government to force others to worship like us or to ignore their duty to enforce the law.

We’re simply asking the government to let us practice our faith without interference.

The Constitution guarantees our freedom of religion. We’re grateful for the right to worship as we choose. It’s one of America’s most important values. We hope our government continues to protect this freedom for all.

Michael Danner is associate executive director for church vitality in Mennonite Church USA and executive director for Mennonite Education Agency. This article was first published by MC USA at mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/the-free-exercise-of-our-faith.