Recently, I participated in a forum on encouraging immigration reform (the legal issue) and more respectful and just responses to immigrants (relational issues, both personal and social). I was asked to open the forum with a brief introduction from a theological or faith perspective, which I did. Throughout the evening’s conversation, there was talk of appealing to people’s mind and hearts and, also, talk of public displays of strength and unity.

During the American Civil Rights Movement, a visiting lecturer who was engaged in the struggle told a class at Princeton Seminary that people make changes only as they become persuaded that those changes are in their self-interest. He advocated the “green power” of financial pressure, and I think he wanted us to see that not all people are moved by appeals to the mind (reason) and heart (compassion). From some, only money talks.