Bush Pressed on Iraq-Linked Hate Crimes Bill

pjchooch »

Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:39 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 10

The idea that the pulpit will be censored based on this legislation is ridiculous, bordering on fear mongering. Stating your opinion is not hate speech. Advocating or encouraging violence again others based on their beliefs is.

The often pointed to case against preacher Ake Green in Sweden was thrown out by Sweden's supreme court in November of 2005 on freedom of speech and region grounds (rightfully so). I think in this country, such a case would be thrown out before it ever rose to that level.

Currently, religious groups in the US are protected by anti-hate legislation (since 1968). People are free in this country to decry Christianity, and often do. This is not hate speech, and no one is prosecuted for it. If someone were to advocate violence against Christians, or worse yet, act out violently against someone because they were a Christian, they would be federally prosecuted for it.

This bill is not a referendum on whether homosexuality is right or wrong. It simply makes it illegal to advocate or commit violence against someone because they are homosexual or handicapped.

I find it hard to believe that a true follower of Jesus would think that such a crime would be acceptable, regardless of what "group" the person is associated with. All of us are sinners, remember that. Jesus does, and loves us all.