Posted on 04/30/2004 10:37:03 AM PDT by presidio9
A bill introduced by Canadian parliament member Svend Robinson that would make free speech against homosexuals a crime passed in the House of Commons.
The "Chill Bill," or C-250, passed by a vote of 140-110 on Wednesday despite objections from the religious community that religious speech would be limited by the law if they speak out against homosexuality.
If it becomes law, then the "Chill Bill," which is also known as the "Bible As Hate Literature" bill, would ban speech that would be used in condemnation of homosexuality or homosexual acts.
This is similar to the anti-hate speech law in Sweden where a Pentecostal minister is now facing charges for using the Bible to point out that homosexuality is a sin.
Robinson, who belongs to the socialist New Democratic Party in the Canadian parliament, has championed civil liberties issues in the past and is openly gay.
The "Chill Bill" would specifically amend Section 318 of the hate crime law by adding the phrase "sexual orientation" as the fifth protected class of people, adding to color, race, religion, and ethnic origin.
"It's a bill that recognizes that when hate crimes are perpetrated [in Canada] against those who are of a minority religion or race or ethnic origin or color, that Canada says this is wrong," Robinson said in defense of his bill.
Robinson asserts that homosexuals should also be included as part of the language of the hate crimes law.
"But there's one group in the country and that is gays and lesbians -- the group that has more hate crimes, more violence perpetrated against it -- that isn't included in the hate propaganda laws," Robinson notes.
However, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada President Bruce Clemenger believes this bill would have a decidedly "chilling effect" on people of faith who believe homosexuality is wrong.
"Whether this law leads to the prosecution of religious groups or not, it's almost certain to have a chilling effect," he told the Calgary Herald. "Will the Gideons still be allowed to place Bibles in motel rooms?"
Clemenger is concerned that the terms "hate" and "sexual orientation" are not defined in the legislation. The maximum penalty for these hate crime convictions is five years in prison.
Robinson responds to this by saying his bill was drafted to prevent "gay bashing" and contends that the notion that religious speech would be silenced by the bill is "utterly without foundation."
Even still, John McKay, a member of the Canadian parliament who voted against C-250, said those who oppose homosexuality will be forced to suffer the consequences of speaking out against them in the future if this bill becomes law.
"Anybody who has views on homosexuality that differ from Svend Robinson's will be exposed rather dramatically to the joys of the Criminal Code," McKay told the Canadian Press.
Canadian legislative observer Vic Toews said Robinson is simply advocating "fascism" to promote his radical agenda.
Derek Rogusky, the vice president of family policy for Focus on the Family Canada, said any legislation that limits the rights of people of faith while giving more rights to gays generally favors homosexuals when challenged in court.
"We've seen through the courts that when religious freedom comes up against gay rights, that in fact religious freedom tends to be more often than not the loser in those particular cases," Rogusky told CBC Newsworld.
But religious objections to homosexuality are already being condemned in Canada.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission recently ruled that a newspaper ad that listed Biblical references in it opposing homosexuality amounted to a human rights offense. The newspaper and the man who took out the ad were forced to pay $1,500 each to three gay men who complained about it.
And in British Columbia, the supreme court said a high school teacher's one-month suspension without pay should remain because he wrote letters to the editor in his local newspaper contending that nobody is born with homosexuality.
Bill C-250 is now headed to the 105-member Canadian Senate for consideration.
Can't burn 'em - they're banned from the country.
"When they had brought them (i.e. the Apostles), they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,
saying, “We gave you STRICT ORDERS not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles answered, “WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN.
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.
“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
“And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who OBEY HIM.” (Acts 5:27 - 31 Emphasis mine)
... "after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
And EVERY DAY, in the temple and from house to house, THEY KEPT RIGHT ON TEACHING AND PREACHING JESUS AS THE CHRIST. (Acts 5:40b - 42 Emphasis mine)
Believers we MUST obey God, rather than men no matter what the cost!
Our beloved brethern in Canada, we are praying for you... hold fast to the truth of the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God and remember whom you serve and to whom you will give an account. Do not fear these "elected officials"/walking piles of dust who will spend an eternity seperated from almighty God.
So if the Jehovah's Witnesses say you're going to hell, is that a hate crime?
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