May 6, 2009 02:31 PM
Hate Crimes Bill goes to Full Senate for a Vote
Hate Crimes legislation is quickly moving through Congress--a bill that would protect up to 30 types of deviant sexual behavior by increasing penalties if it was determined that a crime was perpetrated on them based on hatred of that behavior.
The House version, known as H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, already been passed, and the Senate Version, S.909 was quickly introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy.
This bill, as passed by the house, is about as broad as it could be in the number of sexual orientations it protects--essentially anything except biblical heterosexuality, and its high standard of one man-one woman marriage for life. All attempts to remove any of the most radical "orientations", like pedophilia (desiring sexual relations with children, an activity which is illegal in all 50 states) were summarily rejected by the Democrats in the House. In like manner, attempts to protect other vulnerable groups, like children, the elderly, returning veterans, etc. were quickly voted down.
Here is a list of the protected sexual "orientations" provided by the American Family Association:
http://www.afa.net/sexualorientationshr1913.asp
The impact of the Hate Crimes bill, should it become law, would be to lay the ground work for restricting religious liberty and freedom of speech as similar laws are already doing in Canada and Europe. That is because the penalties would not be on actions, but on speech--and ultimately on the thoughts that result in speech.
So speaking those thoughts will be likely to result in lawsuits by any of the protected groups. And even thinking negative thoughts about unbiblical sexual behavior would likely be criminal "activity", if those thoughts could be proven. The bill essentially uses thoughts and attitudes as the trigger for greater penalties for a crime against a protected group.
Thus the bill would punish anyone who would “intimidate” someone because of their “sexual orientation.” Yet, the definition of intimidation is so broad that anyone who shows opposition to homosexuality could be prosecuted, including pastors. This is already happening around the world where legislation like this has been passed. Places like Sweden and Canada have counted pastors as criminals for even reading or referencing Scripture that condemns homosexual behavior.
And President Obama has indicated he would sign the bill.
The vote in the full Senate is likely to take place this week, even though no hearings have been held. So NOW is the time to contact your two U.S. Senators to let them know your concerns about the impact of S.909, the Senate version of the Hate Crimes bill already passed by the House of Representatives. It also is still not too late to demand hearings on the bill, as it could be sent back to committee for that purpose.
Make sure you U.S. Senators hear from you immediately. Contact them by phone at
202-224-3121
202-225-3121
877-851-6437 (toll free)
