The 'christian' Right is attacking Federal Hate Crimes bill in Congress

[ck4829]

Repent America Denounces Proposed Federal Hate Crimes Bill

Repent America (RA) has joined in the fight against the newly proposed hate crimes bill now before the U.S. House of Representatives, and is calling Christians to pray for this emergency situation and to voice opposition to their elected officials.

“The proposed federal hate crimes bill is a dangerous threat to our civil liberties,” stated Repent America director Michael Marcavage. “Having been charged under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law for declaring the truth about homosexuality, I can assure you that if this bill is passed and signed into law, it will be used to put Christians behind bars,” Marcavage continued.

http://newsbyus.com/more.php?id=6824_0_1_0_M

Focus on the Family Denounces Hate-Crimes Bill

Focus on the Family Action strongly denounced the recent introduction of federal hate-crimes legislation in the House of Representatives today, saying the bill "tramples on Americans' right to free thought."

H.R. 254, introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, earlier this month, is similar to hate-crimes measures passed by the House in 2005 and the Senate in 2004. The bill seeks to establish a new federal offense for hate crimes and would mandate a separate federal criminal prosecution for
state offenses tried under its provisions. A sentence of life imprisonment could await those convicted.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-16-2007/0004507010&EDATE=

Concerned Women for America not concerned enough with the facts

Commenting on H.R. 254, proposed federal legislation designed to prevent hate crimes, the Concerned Women For America's Matt Barber says today:

"This bill sets the table, and places us on a slippery slope toward religious persecution. If it becomes law, it can easily be misapplied and used as a hammer against free speech. So-called 'hate crimes' laws are already being used in the UK, Canada - and even right here in America - to intimidate and silence people who honor the Biblical model of human sexuality, and who value the sanctity of marriage," ... "If they speak out against homosexual behavior, they are somehow guilty of 'hate speech.' This bill attempts to get into the mind of the offender and penalize him for his thoughts. Are the bill's proponents going to now lobby for a Federal Department of Thought Enforcement?"

http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2007/01/concerned_women_3.html

Liberty Counsel founder finds 'hate crimes' legislation troubling

The founder of the pro-family legal group Liberty Counsel is denouncing the recent introduction of federal hate crimes legislation in Congress. The bill known as H.R. 254 was introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat from Texas, and is similar to hate crimes measures approved by the House last year and by the Senate in 2004.

Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver says the proposed bill would limit the constitutional rights of Christians. "Christians and pro-family activists ought to be concerned about this hate crimes legislation because, if it is passed, it will certainly restrict free speech," he contends. "I think we ought to be very concerned."

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/01/liberty_counsel_founder_says_h_1.php

To the 'christian' Right

READ the bill you morons! Nowhere in the text does it infringe upon speech, nowhere in the text does it prosecute "thought crimes", so you can rant and say all the stupid things you want to. It has no effect on speech.

What it does is punish people who commit acts of violence against people based on their race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability of the person being victimized.

And since you guys are soooo 'bright', here's the link to the bill several times so you don't miss it.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.254:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.254:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.254:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.254:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.254:

[rodeodance]

1. How ironic----susposed Christions opposing HATE

[lisa58]

2. Protecting their civil liberty to hate...

...how sad.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. Hopefully this will get

veto proof support.

[Toots]

4. it will certainly restrict free speech

It has nothing to do with speech only action. You can call a person a fag all you want but when you take some action against that person because IYO he is a fag then you go to jail. While I agree most crimes committed under the hate crimes act are already crimes it is just an added incentive not to carry out the action. Actions such as placing a burning cross on a person's property. The actual crime might only be tresspassing or littering but with the Hate Crimes Act it becomes much more serious and should cause one to hesitate...

[Cass]

5. These so-called christians want to preserve their right to spew hate.

Looks like they are wigging out because this bill includes protection for homosexuals and the phony christians are having a tantrum because they won't be able to to spew hate about homosexuals anymore. Really telling about their agenda, isn't it? This phony christian movement into politics is a real scourge on this nation.

“Having been charged under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law for declaring the truth about homosexuality, I can assure you that if this bill is passed and signed into law, it will be used to put Christians behind bars,” Marcavage continued.

I wonder what this guy said and/or did to get charged under Pennsylvania's hate crime law?

Jesus must be so proud. :sarcasm:

[Solo_in_MD]

6. Hate Crimes = =Thought Crimes

And I can not support the concept.

Have to admit it does give me pause to agree with those people though....

[msongs]

7. congress cannot undo 2000 years of hate in the name of religion

but they can give it a try.

Msongs
www.msongs.com