HEADLINE: Hate Crime bill (Matthew Shepard Act )violates 1st Amendment rights, Christian leaders say

[Bluebear]

Poor things. Maybe they'll have to do something else from the pulpit, like urging peace and tolerance.


====

(AXcess News) Washington - Christian leaders have launched a campaign against a hate crimes bill passed by the House of Representatives yesterday, saying it violates 1st Amendment rights if a religious leader or pastor speaks out against homosexuality.

The bill, passed by a 237-180 margin, extends coverage of hate crimes to include anyone victimized because of sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The bill, if approved by the Senate, would tie the hands of church leaders who say the hate bill is really about "thought crimes", which violates church leaders' freedoms of speech and religion.

While the hate crime bill was intended to strike down violations against gay people in civil circumstances, police say it helps clarify who is covered, a coalition of Christian organizations has launched a campaign to fight the hate bill and thanks to Democrats actions, many Christians may now think twice about backing Democratic politicians.

The fact is that one in six hate crimes are related to sexual orientation, though until the House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, or LLEHCPA, harassing gays was not a federal crime.

http://www.axcessnews.com/index.php/articles/show/id/10923

[no_hypocrisy]

1. By criminalizing discrimination, persecution, and assault against

targeted groups, THAT'S preventing their ability to PRACTICE RELIGION without government interference???!!!! I think that excuse was used at Salem, Massachusetts.

[EFerrari]

2. I heard one of these sociopaths this morning.

saying, essentially, that not hating gay people is wrong.

This one @sshole kept using "thought crime" as if any of his followers actually think and as if you can legislate thought.

There are 'way too many hateful people in this country. And, imho, we can't keep tolerating intolerance because it's toxic and contaminating. :nuke:

[Bluebear]

4. And Bush is promising to veto the Matthew Shepard Act.

He is Contaminant Numero Uno.

[BOSSHOG]

3. They are quite a simple yet complex group

They are telling the universe that their hate is protected by the first amendment of the constitution; a document they want to use as a weapon against those they hate.

and if a godly christian preacher rags on gays from the pulpit and one gets killed because of it, it will be an example of christian love??

Christians are the number one domestic enemy of the constitution. Number two ain't even close.

[BattyDem]

5. Since when does the First Amendment protect acts of violence?

:eyes:

A preacher can say, "Homosexuality is a sin" but he can't say, "Go out and beat up homosexuals" just like he can't say "Go out and beat up a woman." The First Amendment does not allow you to incite violence against another human being ... period. What's the problem? :shrug:

[rurallib]

6. Instigating acts of violence is free speech?

And it's Christian? I used to be Christian. They have long since left me behind.

[originalpckelly]

7. Well, of course Christianity is a religion of hate, especially when...

they worship passages in the Bible like this one:
"Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a
woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall
surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."

None of them want to own up to this, but the Bible literally says this. If a major pastor said this in public, s/he would be derided and compared to that freak Fred Phelps.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Hate crime legislation does not extend to 'mere' speech.

Nazis can march with signs saying "Hitler Was Right", and that is not a hate crime (hateful though it may be). It only becomes a crime when it crosses into incitement to violence. Phelps preaching "God Hates Fags" is disgusting, but not a hate crime. Phelps saying "Go out there and kill a fag for Christ" IS a hate crime.

Why can't they make that distinction?

[DBoon]

9. poor persecuted 'christians'

I mean, they can't plant their burning crosses on people's lawns without some darn liberal getting worked up about it

[treestar]

10. Yet they have no objection to anti-Christian hate crimes, which

are already covered under religion.

[depakid]

11. So, the bill criminalizes speech? That's news to me.

From the article, it was sad to learn that 12 Democrats voted against this bill.

You can find them here: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll299.xml

[Bluebear]

12. Wait, let me guess, Gene Taylor - Mississippi?

[lies and propaganda]

13. I thought it was the second amendment that okayed killing gays?

no?

[Solly Mack]

14. so they are admitting to spouting and promoting hate?

[Bluebear]

15. Yes, that's refreshing for once!

:)

[Solly Mack]

16. kudos for the honesty and all that

[EFerrari]

17. Don't forget to rec the thread,folks. Because this is as bald as their hate gets.

:kick:

[Solly Mack]

18. No kidding...they put it right out there for all to see

[EFerrari]

19. I don't recognize this country. Maybe I'm an idiot but I just don't.

Let's shine a light on this steadily. :hi:

[Bluebear]

20. One more kick...need one more rec for Matt, anyone :)

[EFerrari]

21. Kick

[JackBeck]

22. Lies that they take all the way to the bank.

Sometimes, I feel like I should ask for a cut, since I make them so much money.

[Touchdown]

23. At first I thought it said "Sheppard Smith Act"

:rofl:

[dsc]

24. k and r

[EFerrari]

25. Kick

[terrya]

26. Those people make me sick.

When a 72 year old man can get brutally attacked and then dies of said attack, solely because he's gay, that tells me that we desperately need hate crimes legislation.

But, we can't violate their "1st Amendment rights". Because it's only homosexuals after all.

[Bluebear]

Word. nt

[Bluebear]

27. Word. nt