Ask your Clergy to Support Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act

[Ian David]

Interfaith Clergy Letter
Support the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105)

July 11, 2007
Dear Senator,

As clergy from a broad spectrum of religious traditions, we urge you to support S. 1105, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. By passing this bill, Congress can express with one voice its commitment to ending brutal, hate-motivated violence.

Although we come from diverse faith backgrounds, our traditions and sacred texts are united in condemning hate and violence. As religious leaders, we are on the front lines dealing with the devastating effects hate-motivated violence has on our communities. Hate crimes not only harm individuals, they also rend the fabric of society by making entire communities feel isolated, vulnerable and unprotected. We know that legislation alone cannot remove hate from the hearts and minds of individuals, but we also know hate crimes legislation such as the LLEHCPA will help create a society where hate motivated violence is deemed intolerable. Our faith traditions teach us to love our neighbor, and while we cannot legislate love, it is our moral duty to protect one another from hatred and violence.

As people of faith we also know that free speech is a precious right. We would not support a bill that did not contain ample protections for free speech, including preaching and statements of religious belief. This law does not criminalize or impede religious expression in any way. Rather, the bill specifically addresses violent acts by those who act on their hate to terrorize entire communities. Although the legislation has attracted a few loud opponents from the radical right who wrongly claim to represent all religious people, we fair-minded clergy will not waver in our condemnation of prejudice of all forms and our support for this hate crimes legislation.

Religion and government must work together to create a society in which diverse
people are safe as well as free. As leaders of America’s religious communities, we urge Congress to stand united against one of the worst forms of oppression: violence based on personal characteristics and identity. Please do so by supporting, without amendment, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105).

Sincerely,

Download the letter and view the signatures
(PDF DOCUMENT) http://www.clergyagainsthate.org/letter.pdf (PDF)

More:
http://www.clergyagainsthate.org/

[rosesaylavee]

1. K & R

[Ian David]

2. Self-kick. Hello? ECHO!!!... ECHO!!... ECHO!... Echo... echo...

What?

Don't any of our outspoken religionists want to endorse this?

Aren't any of them proud when churches do stuff like this?

Anyone??

[IndianaJones]

3. Why the hell is this post not getting overwhelming attention here?

Because its not about a bridge or dogfighting?


I'll say it...its because people don't give a shit about these issues. Because this kind of "minor concern" will always take the back burner to things that are more important and will remain more important for my lifetime and beyond.

I apologize to the OP for not seeing this earlier and ranting in your thread.

And may I suggest posting this in GD?

[sailor65]

7. Nonsense

It's because we see ALL violent crime as equally abhorrent. Legislation that elevates our attention to one crime based on personal characteristics only serves to detriment treatment of the same crimes against those not on the "List."

[IndianaJones]

8. that does not make sense. nt.

[sailor65]

10. On the contrary,

I think it makes perfect sense. We're called upon to love and protect ALL equally. The man who is robbed and killed for the $50 in his pocket, and the homosexual man killed because he's a homosexual were both equally undeserving of their fates, and their killers equally despicable. To abhor either over the other is contrary to our beliefs.

[BlooInBloo]

9. Speaking only for myself, it's because I see ZERO chance that christians...

... would ever support anything humane for gay folks (and others). Would it be nice? Of course. Will it happen? Not in this lifetime, I don't think.

[sailor65]

11. It's a shame that you feel that way.

When the majority of Christians understand that all are equally loved by God. You might be one of those people that thinks we have to agree with their choices in order to be considered "Humane."

[William769]

4. Well since I belong to MCC, it's safe to assume he already has.

[Az]

5. Its good to see liberal and moderate voices from this community

We need to see more. We need to see a lot more. The voices of hate have to understand they do not speak for all and that they are the ones advocating the minority position.

[supernova]

6. List of Religious supporting organizations

This is wonderful news. It's a good bet a lot of us at DU belong to these groups or ones very much like them. I noticed that some of these groups are the social justice arms of the various churches.


African American Ministers in Action
American Conference of Cantors
American Islamic Congress
American Jewish Committee
Anti-Defamation League
B’nai B’rith International
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Catholics for a Free Choice
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Disciples Justice Action Network
The Episcopal Church
Equal Partners in Faith
Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers)
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Moderator’s Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches
National Council of Jewish Women
North American Federation of Temple Youth
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Interfaith Alliance
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
United Methodist Church, General Commission on Religion and Race
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Women of Reform Judaism