Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Posted on 05/03/2007 5:56:07 AM PDT by NYer
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 2, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A proposed "hate crimes" law that would impose special federal penalties against crimes related to sexual orientation is being denounced as a serious risk to freedom of religion in the US, as Congress prepares to vote on the measure.
Passed by the House Judiciary Committee last week, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would give special considerations to "hate crimes" committed against those engaging in homosexual activity and people who consider themselves transgendered or bisexual. Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family Action, told CitizenLink the bill's backers are hiding the "true intent of the legislation," which he said is an attempt to "muzzle people of faith who dare to express their moral and biblical concerns about homosexuality."
Dr. Dobson pointed out that a proposed amendment to include protection for religious freedom in the bill was gunned down by Democrats.
"What is at stake here is freedom of speech and the expression of conscience," Dr. Dobson said, "and without a huge outcry from the public expressed to the House, Senate and the White House, it will become law."
Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, in a BreakPoint Commentary warned that similar laws in England, Sweden and Canada have already resulted in the prosecution of Christians for hate crimes when they objected to homosexuality.
"If this dangerous law passes, pastors who preach sermons giving the biblical view of homosexuality could be prosecuted," Colson stated. "Christian businessmen who refuse to print pro-gay literature could be prosecuted. Groups like Exodus International, which offer therapy to those with unwanted same-sex attraction, could be shut down."
Concerned Women for America have asked President Bush to veto the proposed legislation. Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues, stated, “Attempts by Republicans to make this legislation more inclusive by adding additional classes of citizens such as children, members of the military, the elderly or the homeless were refused by congressional liberals in committee last week. That refusal underscores the exclusionary and discriminatory nature of this bill. H.R. 1592 unequivocally treats one class of citizens preferentially over others."
“Perhaps most frightening is the fact that liberal legislators have refused any amendment which would substantively protect religious expression in association with this legislation. Similar laws have been used around the world — and right here at home — to silence opposition to the homosexual lifestyle. That refusal speaks volumes about the true agenda behind this legislation, which is to grant official government recognition to both homosexual and cross-dressing behaviors, and to silence opposition to those behaviors."
Mr. Colson and Dr. Dobson are urging concerned US citizens to contact their representatives in Congress and ask them to vote against the bill.
See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:
U.S. House to Vote on Special “Hate Crime” Protection for Sexual Orientation
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07022108.html
Democrats Refuse Religious Freedom Amendment to Hate Crimes Bill
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/apr/07042601.html
CWA Claims Fake “Hate Crimes” Being Used to Force Legislation through Congress
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/apr/07041107.html
That's EXACTLY what it's supposed to do..........
Do doubt they will next pass a non-binding resolution declaring that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a hate crime.
“No doubt...”
Sheesh. Coffee... gimme.
When priests and ministers start getting hauled off by federal agents then perhaps some of their congregation who voted Demo because Republicans are so mean and heartless will be in for a rude shock.
This thing is unconstitutional on so many levels that, if passed, I don’t see how it could stand up to judicial scrutiny (outside of the 9th Circuit, that is).
I said that about campaign finance law. Best to err on the side of suspicion.
Another aspect of this to bring up in any conversation -
the democrats on the committee voted down ANY amendment to add any other “vulnerable” groups (elderly, pregnant women, minors, military, etc) from “protection” by this bill.
I wonder if Rudy had anything to do with this proposed legislation?
The Left is trying to make outlaws of those who believe in it.
What Constitution? We still have one of those outdated, antiquated, meaningless pieces of paper? Sure couldn’t tell by our legal system, or our government...
Exactly. They may as well try to outlaw our currency, since it has the word God on it.
Because of politics. There are so many unconstitutional laws on the books - at all levels of government - that it’s impossible to keep track. Particularly at the federal level, our rights have been whittled away relentlessly. It will take a lot more Scalias and Thomases - and a lot more cases brought before such “originalists” - to start the pendulum swinging back the other way.
Do you or does anyone else know if The White House has taken a position on the bill?
Freepmail wagglebee or little jeremiah to subscribe or unsubscribe from the homosexual agenda or moral absolutes ping lists.
FreeRepublic homosexual agenda keyword search
[ Add keyword homosexual agenda to flag FR articles to this ping list ]
FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
[ Add keyword moral absolutes to flag FR articles to this ping list ]
If it becomes a hate crime to have a copy of the Bible (not too far-fetched the way things are going), the book publishers can produce edited versions which leave out the verses that the gay rights advocates object to. That, or leave them in the original Hebrew or Greek.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.