U.S. Hate Crime Bill Could Criminalize Biblical Truth, Pro-Family Spokesman Fears

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/272004c.asp ^ | May 27, 2004 | Bill Fancher and Jenni Parker

[take]

U.S. Hate Crime Bill Could Criminalize Biblical Truth, Pro-Family Spokesman Fears

(AgapePress) - A controversial hate crimes bill has been resurrected on Capitol Hill -- this time under Republican leadership. The Culture and Family Institute (CFI) says the legislation is being pushed by the homosexual lobby, which is emboldened following the court-ordered legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

Two U.S. Senate Republicans have introduced the new legislation, the language of which is virtually the same as that in an earlier attempt by liberal lawmakers to put a hate crimes law on the books -- an effort that was defeated. However, this newly introduced bill would attach "sexual orientation" to the language of the previous bill.

Bob Knight CFI director Bob Knight believes conservatives need to be wary about the proposal. "Even though this bill is sponsored by Gordon Smith and Orrin Hatch -- both Republicans -- it's really the old Kennedy hate crimes bill that's been resurrected. And it's a very dangerous bill, because it adds 'sexual orientation' to hate crimes law, and it greatly expands federal jurisdiction," Knight says.

Also, the pro-family spokesman is concerned that the proposed law would require law enforcers to give priority to investigating and prosecuting crimes against homosexuals. "So if your grandmother is mugged," he posits for example, "it won't be a big deal, and the law enforcement authorities may have to put more of their revenues toward the mugging, say, of a homosexual guy walking down the street. Now both deserve protection, but certainly the gay guy doesn't deserve more than your grandmother."

Another major worry is that the hate crimes bill proposed by Smith and Hatch, if passed, will put the First Amendment rights of Christians at risk, making them subject to prosecution simply for expressing biblical views about the homosexual lifestyle. Knight notes that such a bill has already been approved by lawmakers in Canada, where he fully expects it to "muzzle public discussion of homosexuality and even someday silence pastors."

Current Canadian federal law forbids anyone from publishing materials or speaking in any way that could result in the "incitement of hatred and genocide" against certain specified groups. By adding "sexual orientation" to that list, Knight says Canada's lawmakers may have set up grounds for prosecuting anyone who criticizes homosexuality. And that is what he fears may happen in the U.S. if the legislation proposed by Smith and Hatch is approved.

The Canadian bill does contain a religious exemption in the "hate speech" section of Canada's Criminal Code. But in a recent news release, the Christian Coalition Inc. of Canada (CCIC) noted that the exemption places the burden of proof on the accused and is too vague and open to interpretation to serve as an adequate defense against charges of hate speech.

In a disturbing example of the implications of this bill, CCIC cited a Saskatchewan court case in which the Bible was determined to be hate literature. There, the Canadian court upheld a fine against a Saskatoon newspaper publisher and a man who placed an ad listing Bible verses about homosexuality.

Knight says the logical next step in the process of advancing hate crime legislation in America will be to criminalize free speech and thought. Should U.S. lawmakers pass a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation, he fears it will be used to give homosexuals special status as a protected group, while Christians' who express biblical views against the homosexual lifestyle end up as "fair game."

[SandRat]

if passed, will put the First Amendment rights of Christians at risk, making them subject to prosecution simply for expressing biblical views about the homosexual lifestyle. Knight notes that such a bill has already been approved by lawmakers in Canada, where he fully expects it to "muzzle public discussion of homosexuality and even someday silence pastors."

Current Canadian federal law forbids anyone from publishing materials or speaking in any way that could result in the "incitement of hatred and genocide" against certain specified groups. By adding "sexual orientation" to that list, Knight says Canada's lawmakers may have set up grounds for prosecuting anyone who criticizes homosexuality. And that is what he fears may happen in the U.S. if the legislation proposed by Smith and Hatch is approved.

The Canadian bill does contain a religious exemption in the "hate speech" section of Canada's Criminal Code. But in a recent news release, the Christian Coalition Inc. of Canada (CCIC) noted that the exemption places the burden of proof on the accused and is too vague and open to interpretation to serve as an adequate defense against charges of hate speech.

In a disturbing example of the implications of this bill, CCIC cited a Saskatchewan court case in which the Bible was determined to be hate literature. There, the Canadian court upheld a fine against a Saskatoon newspaper publisher and a man who placed an ad listing Bible verses about homosexuality.

Knight says the logical next step in the process of advancing hate crime legislation in America will be to criminalize free speech and thought. Should U.S. lawmakers pass a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation, he fears it will be used to give homosexuals special status as a protected group, while Christians' who express biblical views against the homosexual lifestyle end up as "fair game."

WHAT?!!!!

are we turning into a bunch of LIBERAL CANADIANS?!!!!

[jonatron]

What is wrong with Orin Hatch?

Do we have to start burying bibles in secret places?

[captaindude2]

the Gaystapo strikes again! the brown shirts turned into pink shirts.

[cvq3842]

Free speech is only for those who want to tear down our culture, don't you know that? I guess you slept through the Orwell lecture in school.

Forgive me, the sarcasm is not directed at you. But what the hell is happening to my country???!!! I am so discouraged, I can't even describe it.

Please, someone, give me some good news!!!

[microgood]

Of course this would apply to Christians Only. Muslims will be able to hate homosexuals all they want.

[familyop]

Social anarchists who lead the way for socialists know very well, the use of incrementalism, or gradualism, to get what they want. If they have to in order to get what they want, they'll pass 1000 laws to take tiny steps over the course of 100 years to get it.

We social conservatives, on the other hand, are extremely impatient and stupid when it comes to tactics and propaganda. That's why we've been losing ground over the past 150 years.

[Imal]

Good riddance. Everyone knows that the Bible is nothing more than a manual for hatespeech, intolerant thought and opposition to social justice.

[familyop]

"What is wrong with Orin Hatch?"

Virtually our whole Senate is corrupt and socially left/liberal. They'd already taken more than enough steps toward destroying the family (no-fault divorce, VAWA, Child Support Act, etc.) before the left started their "same-sex" marriage part of their plan.

[tahiti]

""Even though this bill is sponsored by Gordon Smith and Orrin Hatch -- both Republicans -- it's really the old Kennedy hate crimes bill that's been resurrected."

And my friends and wife wonder why I am not a Republican any longer.

My father said to me 35 years ago, "there isn't a nickels worth of difference between a Democrat and Republican."

For all of you "conservatives," (which implies conserving something, such as the Bill of Rights) contact your U.S. Senator and read the 1st Amendment to him/her:

"Congress shall make no law...of religion...prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,"

Ask you Senator, "what part of NO do you not understand?"

If you live in Missouri, remind Senators Bond and Talent that in addition to the federal constitution protecting freedom of speech, the Missouri Constitution is just as unambiguous in protecting speech:

"Section 8. That no law shall be passed impairing the freedom of speech, no matter by what means communicated: that every person shall be free to say, write or publish, or otherwise communicate whatever he will on any subject,"

[Revel]

""What is wrong with Orin Hatch?" "

I don't know. Someone here had a heck of a laugh at me a while back when I would not buy into Hatch as being one of the most conservative persons to have ever lived.

[A. Pole]

Current Canadian federal law forbids anyone from publishing materials or speaking in any way that could result in the "incitement of hatred and genocide" against certain specified groups. By adding "sexual orientation" to that list, Knight says Canada's lawmakers may have set up grounds for prosecuting anyone who criticizes homosexuality. And that is what he fears may happen in the U.S. if the legislation proposed by Smith and Hatch is approved. The Canadian bill does contain a religious exemption in the "hate speech" section of Canada's Criminal Code. But in a recent news release, the Christian Coalition Inc. of Canada (CCIC) noted that the exemption places the burden of proof on the accused and is too vague and open to interpretation to serve as an adequate defense against charges of hate speech.

Tolerance bump.

[mississippi red-neck]

What is wrong with Orin Hatch?

Nothing. He's acting perfectly normal.

Hatch is not the conservative you think he is. His favorite tactic is to let liberal bills that should be buried in his committee out on the floor for a vote and then vote against them. This is how we got the first assault weapons ban.

He has done this with a number of anti-gun laws.Instead of dying in committee he lets them out and the democrats pass them and he votes against them on the floor. Then he can say he's a pro-gun conservative.

Pretty neat huh?

[A. Pole]

For all of you "conservatives," (which implies conserving something, such as the Bill of Rights) contact your U.S. Senator and read the 1st Amendment to him/her:

Conservatism means today conserving jobs for Republicans.

[ladyinred]

We don't need a hate crimes bill, it is unconstitutional in my opinion! No hate crimes bill unless they agree to enforce against the democrats who are spewing pure hatred for GW Bush!

[Polycarp IV]

It can never happen here. It can never happen here. It can never happen here. Right? Right?

[Polycarp IV]

U.S. to Follow Canada Again - This time on Homosexual Hate Crime Law

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Kennedy-Hatch hate crimes bill, now sponsored by Republicans Orrin Hatch and Gordon Smith, which includes the term "sexual orientation," will be brought up as an amendment next week in the Senate to the Defense bill.

At a gathering with homosexual activists last year, Hatch told opponents of the proposed hate crimes measure to "grow up."

"Even though this bill is sponsored by Gordon Smith and Orrin Hatch -- both Republicans -- it's really the old Kennedy hate crimes bill that's been resurrected," Bob Knight, director of the Culture and Family Institute said, as reported by Agape Press. "And it's a very dangerous bill, because it adds 'sexual orientation' to hate crimes law, and it greatly expands federal jurisdiction."

The implications of the new bill could be far-reaching, and have repercussions for religious freedom in the U.S.

Bruce Clemenger, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, after the recent passage of the Canadian hate-crimes legislation, said, "While opposing the promotion of hatred against anyone, we are deeply concerned about the chilling effect this legislation may have on the legitimate expression of religious belief. We as a religious community want to ensure that the purpose of prohibiting hate speech does not criminalize the legitimate expression of religious belief, the resulting views of morality nor religious texts."

The Canadian law has created concern that religious materials may be subject to interception, seizure and forfeiture as 'hate' materials by Canada Post on entrance to the country.

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Homosexual Hate Crime Bill Pushed in US by 'formerly' conservative Republican Hatch
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/nov/03111403.html
Homosexual Hate Crime Signed into Law; Chilling Effect on Free Speech, Religion and Importing Materials (Canada)
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/apr/04042901.html

[Unam Sanctam]

The article does not say if the bill covers acts of violence only, or also limits "hate speach". If the latter, it should be unconstitutional, although the courts seem to think nothing of protecting the rights of religious believers now.

[Unam Sanctam]

From the Washington Times:

Conservatives also dislike a provision in the bill that defines "hate crimes" to include any violent crime "motivated by prejudice based on ... gender, sexual orientation or disability of the victim."

This bill only covers violent crimes, not hate speech itself, so it is a little different from the Canadian bill, which criminalizes speech alone.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping - It Never Rains But It Pours.

Gordon Smith - a RINO in many ways, along with his brother Orrin Hatch of similar persusasion - why can't they be replaced with REAL conservatives? Why are two Mormons introducing such cr*p? (Note - this is not slamming the LDS, I just would think that Mormons would know better than to promote hatecrimes junk.)

Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.

If anyone has links to these gentlemen so we can let them know our veiwpoints, post'em!