Senate Passes Homosexual “Hate Crimes” Bill
One month after Canada passed a law potentially criminalizing biblical texts that denounce homosexuality, the United States Senate has passed a “hate crimes” bill, which may eventually be construed to criminalize biblical texts that denounce homosexuality.
Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced this as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, making it more difficult for politicians to oppose.
The bill forces the government to impose special fines upon a person when they have committed a crime that "is motivated by prejudice based on the race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of the victim."
The legislation comes as a result of emboldened leadership within the homosexual community. After the legalization of same-sex “marriage” in Massachusetts, homosexual advocates are now attempting to achieve special rights and status within America — at the expense of Christians.
To learn more about the homosexual movement, please view the Homosexuality FASTFACT page - in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
Bill Potentially Equates Bible to “Hate Speech”
Pro-family advocates believe that this law could be used by activist judges or political ideologues to blur the line of religious liberty. The Bible unequivocally denounces the homosexual lifestyle as an abomination. Would this be considered hate-speech?
Following in Canada’s Footsteps
One month ago, Canada approved similar legislation, which was aimed at preventing all language that could lead to the “incitement of hatred” toward homosexuals. The bill was dubbed the “Bible as Hate Speech” bill by pro-family advocates, who warned that such legislation could criminalize portions of the Bible that denounce homosexuality.
Already, in a disturbing example of the implications of this bill, one Canadian court has upheld a fine against a Saskatchewan newspaper publisher for running an advertisement that listed the various Bible verses dealing with homosexuality.
In Sweden, a pastor was arrested at his church after he began reading Bible verses about homosexuality.
In Britain, an Anglican bishop was placed under criminal investigation for suggesting that homosexuals can change their sexual orientation.
Recently in Tennessee -- even without this law in effect -- two men were arrested for carrying large wooden crosses during a "Gay Day" Parade. The men were charged with "disorderly conduct" and "interfering with a special event."
Bob Knight, director of the Culture and Family Institute, believes that if this legislation is passed, it will undoubtedly be used to “muzzle public discussion of homosexuality and even someday silence pastors.”
Rights of Homosexuals to Trump Rights of Others
Knight commented, “It’s a very dangerous bill, because it adds ‘sexual orientation’ to hate crimes law, and it greatly expands federal jurisdiction.”
If passed, this law would give priority to those investigations, trials, and sentencing guidelines concerning violent crimes against homosexuals, while heterosexuals will not qualify for similar priorities under the law. “If your grandmother is mugged, it won't be a big deal [unless she is a lesbian],” Knight noted. “And the law enforcement authorities may have to put more of their revenues toward the mugging, say, of a homosexual guy walking down the street. Both deserve protection, but certainly the gay guy doesn’t deserve more than your grandmother."
Unfortunately, under this proposed legislation, the rights and protections of homosexuals would take priority over heterosexuals — as newly minted citizens of heightened importance.
Take Action!
Do not allow this legislation to go unopposed. Contact your elected leaders in Washington and express your opinion regarding this legislation. Also, contact President Bush and urge him to veto this legislation should it reach his desk.
U.S. Capitol Switchboard
(202) 224-3121
President George W. Bush
(202) 456-1414
Also, contact House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Encourage him to vigorously oppose this legislation when it reaches the House. You may reach him at:
Representative Tom DeLay
Majority Leader Office
H-107 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-4000
Source List:
“U.S. to Follow Canada Again — This time on Homosexual Hate Crime Law,” LifeSite Daily News, May 27, 2004.
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/may/04052702.html“CFI: Hate Crime Bill Could Criminalize Biblical Truth,” Crosswalk News, May 28, 2004.
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/1265152.html“ ‘Bible as Hate Speech’ Signed into Law,” WorldNetDaily, April 30, 2004.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38268
