'Hate-crimes' bill to muzzle Christians?

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, October 6, 2004

[JohnHuang2]

The House of Representatives has voted to urge a conference committee to add "sexual orientation, gender and disability" to federal hate-crimes law, a development some observers say would muzzle Christians who speak out against homosexuality.

On Sept. 28, the House voted 213-186 to pass a procedural motion encouraging a conference committee to include the hate-crimes legislation in the final version of the Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4200).

In June, Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced the new language meant to protect homosexuals as an amendment to the Senate's version of the Defense Authorization Act. The Senate measured passed by a vote of 65-33.

The bill imposes special fines for those who commit a "hate crime" against a protected class and provides federal assistance to those prosecuting such crimes. Existing hate-crimes law provides federal help to states and localities in prosecuting crimes based only on the victim's race, religion or national origin.

Christian activists believe that if passed and signed into law, the legislation could be used to target Americans who voice their opposition to the homosexual lifestyle – including pastors preaching and reading the Bible.

"Passage would literally throw open the door to attacks against people of faith, who could be prosecuted with federal monies for expressing their views on homosexuality!" warns Gary Cass, executive director of the Center for Reclaiming America.

Bob Knight, director of the Culture and Family Institute, says if it becomes law the legislation could be used to "muzzle public discussion of homosexuality and even someday silence pastors."

Knight commented, "It's a very dangerous bill, because it adds 'sexual orientation' to hate-crimes law, and it greatly expands federal jurisdiction.

"If your grandmother is mugged, it won't be a big deal [unless she is a lesbian]," Knight said. "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."

Wrote Knight in a WorldNetDaily column: "Homosexual activists have redefined any opposition to homosexuality as 'hate speech.' Laws already criminalize speech that incites violence. It's easy to imagine a scenario in which any incident involving a homosexual can be blamed on people who have publicly opposed homosexual activism."

Because it offers special protection to specific class of people, the legislation "violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution," Cass stated.

The Human Rights Campaign hailed last week's House vote.

"Congress should work to protect Americans, not discriminate against them," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. "We laud Congress for this vote, especially Minority Leader Pelosi for offering this motion and working to get the overwhelming support of her peers. We urge conference committee members to take it to heart – keep the federal hate-crimes bill in conference committee."

According to HRC, the House passed a similar motion in September 2000 by a 232-192 vote, but that amendment was removed in conference committee. The homosexual-advocacy group claims the new hate-crimes language has been endorsed by more than 175 law-enforcement, civil-rights, civic and religious organizations.

As WorldNetDaily reported, a new law was passed in Canada that adds sexual orientation as a protected category in the nation's genocide and hate-crimes legislation, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Opponents of the new law fear the Bible will be deemed "hate literature" under the criminal code in certain instances, as evidenced by the case of a Saskatchewan man fined by a provincial human-rights tribunal for taking out a newspaper ad with Scripture references to verses about homosexuality.

Earlier this year in Sweden, which also has strict hate-crimes laws, a pastor was arrested at his church after he began reading Bible verses condemning homosexuality.

Some states have included sexual orientation in their state hate-crimes laws. Last month, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill expanding that state's statute to include not only homosexuals and transgendered people but also people who merely associate with those who are part of a protected class.

"While every hate crime represents a personal tragedy for the victim, hate crimes also are an attempt to intimidate a larger group or community of people," the bills' author, Senator Sheila Kuehl, told 365gay.com. "Hate crimes tear at the fabric of our society and it is important that we have a strong and effective response to them."

In Pennsyvlania, pastors are concerned they could be targeted under that state's new hate-crimes law, which added "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as motives that trigger heavier penalties for the crime of "harassment."

The Center for Reclaiming America is urging citizens to contact the House members and senators who are on the conference committee to ask them to remove the hate-crimes language from the final bill.

A spokeswoman from the House Armed Services Committee told WND the conference committee's goal is to finalize the bill by Friday, the day Congress is scheduled to adjourn for the month.

[Crazieman]

What, we're merging with Canuckistan now?

[Salamander]

You can burn the truth and you can ban it.
You can wrap it in the heavy weighted chains of silence and throw it into the deepest oubliette and it will change nothing.
It will eternally remain exactly what it is, was and will be always be; the truth.

Let them blind their eyes, deafen their ears and harden their hearts.

Although they may not have to "hear" about it, they will still have to answer for it.

They will condemn themselves, in the end.



John the Baptist wept....

[ladyinred]

Have these lowlifers in Congress forgotten the Bill of Rights completely or what? Where does this violation of our rights end? And all we hear are complaints about the Patriot Act!!!!

[Bellflower]

What is going on with the Republicans in Congress?

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Just adding a crosslink to my vanity post the other day.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Earlier this year in Sweden, which also has strict hate-crimes laws, a pastor was arrested at his church after he began reading Bible verses condemning homosexuality.

Here is I believe an English translation of the Swede's sermon that fell under Sweden's hate speech law. Now I don't know about y'all but I read far more spirited and damning homilies in churches in the USA. No doubt we'll be seeing this crap here. Beware of queers with tape recorders in your churches. Of course "Death to the infidels!" and the like will still be protected in mosques (you know it).

[narses]

Not in the US. NEVER in the US. Keep telling yourself that. The GOP will protect us, right?

[narses]

"What is going on with the Republicans in Congress?"

Many are corrupt. They have been seduced by a salary and a lifestyle way beyond their experience. Sex, booze, drugs, power, money are all part of the DC lifestyle.

[BlackbirdSST]

Have these lowlifers in Congress forgotten the Bill of Rights completely or what? Where does this violation of our rights end? And all we hear are complaints about the Patriot Act!!!!

Yep, it's a good thing republicans are in charge. Train, meet Cliff! Blackbird.

[Aquinasfan]

Not in the US. NEVER in the US.

We said the same thing about homosexual "marriage." The agenda continues to move forward.

[Siamese Princess]

Over 2300 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle commented on the penchant of tyrants to pose as the champions of women and slaves. Since the 18th century, every plan for promoting "equality" invariably involves empowering the central government. Helping the poor and the oppressed is the biggest excuse for enlarging and enhancing the power of the central government ever concocted. The Soviet Union was the dictatorship of the proletariat, wasn't it?

[treowth]

Dementia is running rampant in America. Consider these points:

(A) By the terms of this hate crime law, there can be no debate about marriage, since the concept of it being just for one man/one woman is 'discriminatory & bigotted', therefore hateful. And when transsexuals begin their push to outlaw men's & women's public restroom facilities and have them replaced with genderless ones, there will be no debate allowed because it too, will be deemed hateful. Ditto for the BSA, the Salvation Army, etc


(B) What is sexual orientation except a self-perception? If homosexuals, drag queens, etc., and their 'cultures' become normalized and protected by law, then what arguments can be proffered against doing the same for pederasts, pedophiles, necrophiles, zoophiles, and people who perceive themselves as puppies in need of paper-training? Remember now, according to post-modernists, there are no moral absolutes.......we are, each one of us, moral sovereigns, and no one else has the right to impose their morality upon another. Accordingly, all of the above 'sexual orientations' should have tolerance and sensitivity not only practiced towards them, but their peculiar 'cultural' mores {sexual practices} should rightfully be taught to every American child.


(C) On the one hand, transnationalists and multiculturalists seek to give these peculiar people protected class status under our laws. But on the other hand, these same two groups of people want to deconstruct America as a sovereign nation and retire her Constitution to the dust-bin. And in furtherance of this agenda, they've allowed illegals and other minorities into this nation and encouraged them to not only remain unassimilated, but to actually hate this nation, her culture, etc. Now why on earth should these unassimilated people, many of whom are here illegally, obey this hate crime law when they have no respect for our other laws? Why should they, whose own cultural beliefs inform them that homosexuality is completely abhorrant and unnatural pay any heed to it at all? My money says they won't. Imo, this hate crime law and the people who want to be protected by it, are on a collision course with the unassimilated, but politically powerful immigrant groups. Most especially the MEs.

[NewJerseyJoe]

> Over 2300 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle commented on the penchant of tyrants to pose as the champions of women and slaves

I've read some Aristotle but don't recall that. I'd like to read it -- can you post the name of the work where Aristotle wrote that? I'll then get it from the library. Thanks!

[NYer]

You can burn the truth and you can ban it. You can wrap it in the heavy weighted chains of silence and throw it into the deepest oubliette and it will change nothing.
It will eternally remain exactly what it is, was and will be always be; the truth.

Beautifully written.

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[COEXERJ145]

What is going on with the Republicans in Congress?

Delay and Hastert have tried to keep this bill dead. However, just like McLame-Feinswine, enough RINOs joined with the Rats to force the bill to the floor for a vote. Not a thing Hastert or Delay could do about it.

As for the Senate, they're mostly a lost cause.

[Bommer]

What is going on with the Republicans in Congress?

Its not with themits with us. More and more conservatives are becoming more obsessed with winning and completely ignoring what we're winning with! Time to drop the abortion stance and start having a stance that all Republicans that running are Judeo/Christians that will defend our rights. Otherwise get your basters ready because in 20 years the ovens will be fired up for us! Demand religion in our leaders! Loose the church vote, loose the election.

[Rca2000]

It sounds like it is all part of the big plan to me....

(And the big plan is ALMOST complete!!)

[alkaloid2]

I don't know why any of you guys are surprised at this. We've been bastardizing Christianity in this country for hundreds of years - now we're reaping what we've sown.

When you have Catholics that even consider voting for someone who support abortion, and other Christians doing the same, do you really think that the Almighty is going to look out for us? The base responsibility is ours.

tSG

[Unam Sanctam]

The Left is the enemy of human and civil rights.

[R. Scott]

I wonder how long it will be before democrats and flaming liberals will be added to the list of protected special people.

[Militiaman7]

Onward Christian Soldiers

[dsc]

"The Left is the enemy of human and civil rights."

Considering that leftism is of and from Satan, that stands to reason.

[Romulus]

Dementia is running rampant in America.

That says it all.

[redgolum]

Ping to read later.

[concerned about politics]

Knight commented, "It's a very dangerous bill, because it adds 'sexual orientation' to hate-crimes law, and it greatly expands federal jurisdiction.

So if you catch someone raping your dog, you can't slap him silly?

[concerned about politics]

If you ever get arrested for a hate crime, just tell them you're a closet homosexual. Everyone can use the defense any time they need it. Who can prove otherwise? What'll they do then?
What if a woman uses vibrator instead of a husband? Does she become a protected class?
How about flashers? Clinton was protected.

[concerned about politics]

"Congress should work to protect Americans, not discriminate against them,"

So polygamy is OK? Those people are Americans.

[concerned about politics]

Homosexuals said all they wanted was to be tolerated.

The term "gay" puts a pretty mask on a vile behavior. That mask has to be removed.
They're not "gay." They're sexually dysfunctional homosexuals.

[concerned about politics]

I wonder how long it will be before democrats and flaming liberals will be added to the list of protected special people.

They already are.
Abortionists, homosexuals, the lazy, the race baiter's.

Political correctness is designed to silence any dissent against the liberal special interest groups.

ANY republican who caves to the liberal agenda needs to be replaced. We have a lot of work to do.

[TheStickman]

Time for you to write Senator Graham again, dear. This must not pass!

[visualops]

This is not the first time this has come up, because I recall writing him about this topic previously.
I will write again.

[R. Scott]

Yes – like replacing my own Senator Warner of Virginia – claiming to be a Republican.

[savagesusie]

Hate speech laws are all unconstitutional. Everyone is suppose to be equal under our laws and this elevates certain classes of people as being worth more than others. It also violates the freedom of religion which has the right to condemn certain behaviors. If a religion can not deem what is moral or immoral, then it is useless. The idea that the law is going to decide how to sentence someone by his "thoughts" is ludicrous...

[thor76]

. Beware of queers with tape recorders in your churches. Of course

You are more on track then you could possibly realize. They are currently organizing to do such things, across this country. Young people (Rock the Vote, anyone?)are so blindsided and dumbed down via MTV, et.al., that they would readily accept any PC junk thrown their way, and willing vote for it. Remember - there are many, many thounsands more young voters who are unchurched (or anti- religion) then in the pews on a given Sunday.

Anybody remember what happened on June 24, 1969 in NYC? That is when the infamous "Stonewall Riots" happened. A raid on a gay bar caused massive rioting in the streets - which was essentially unchecked, and resulted in the gay pride movement, seen as a natural outgrowth of the 60s counterculture.

But of course there is absolutely no connection at all between this "staged" event, and St. John's Day....and occult and Masonic high holy day. No connection whatsoever.............!

The devil will use anyone any everyone he can con into his service to further his age old war against God. If gays are stupid enough to see their supposed "liberation" as as good thing, they will of course jump on the bandwagon. Even if the one driving it has cloven feet.

Destruction of Christianity has of course long been a goal of the Devil. All are grist for his mill. But the poor gays forget one thing: "....this night thy very soul may be required of thee. Why dost thou not make preparation of rthe day of judgement?"

Unfortunately, what happened in Sweden may well happen here. Good Christians and religious observant Jews will suffer.

But Christ is the just judge, and will reward those who are faithful to His Father's laws - and those who dare to speak the Truth.

[pro Athanasius]

You bring up a lot of great points. I have heard of people getting arrested in Canada just for expressing their religious opinion that homosexuality is wrong. The more people ignore this topic and tolerate this in your face homosexuality is just as good of a lifestyle as heterosexual marriage then we are in trouble. Our society will crumble as did ancient Greece and Rome, and they did not even allow homosexual marriage even though it became fashionable to live the homosexual lifestyle. Homosexual marriage has never been acceptable- even Sodom and Gomarrah do not say that this was legal. Look at how prevalent this was in Lot’s age and God sent burning sulfur on these cities and destroyed them. God will not be mocked. I sent you a free p. mail a while ago and it got completely erased. I spent 15 minutes on it. So I wanted to let you know that I haven’t been ignoring you. God bless you.

[Romish_Papist]

Is there a hate crimes ping list? If so, please put me on it. Thanks!

[watchout]

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 473
(Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)

H R 4200 YEA-AND-NAY 28-Sep-2004 7:02 PM
QUESTION: On Motion to Instruct Conferees
BILL TITLE: DOD Authorization, Fiscal Year 2005


Yeas Nays PRES NV
Republican 31 177 18
Democratic 182 9 14
Independent 1
TOTALS 213 186 33




---- YEAS 213 ---

Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Bass
Becerra
Bell
Berkley
Berman
Biggert
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Bono
Boswell
Boucher
Brady (PA)
Brown (OH)
Brown, Corrine
Burns
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carson (IN)
Case
Castle
Chandler
Clay
Clyburn
Conyers
Cooper
Costello
Cramer
Crowley
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle
Edwards
Emanuel
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Farr
Ferguson
Filner
Foley
Ford
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gerlach
Gilchrest
Gonzalez
Gordon
Green (TX)
Greenwood
Grijalva
Harman
Herseth
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Holden
Holt
Hooley (OR)
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (CT)
Johnson, E. B.
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kelly
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
Kirk
Kleczka
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lynch
Maloney
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Menendez
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (VA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Platts
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (NC)
Rahall
Rangel
Reyes
Rodriguez
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Sanchez, Loretta
Sandlin
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shaw
Sherman
Shimkus
Simmons
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Spratt
Stark
Strickland
Stupak
Tauscher
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Towns
Turner (TX)
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Van Hollen
Velázquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weller
Wexler
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn



---- NAYS 186 ---

Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Bachus
Baker
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Beauprez
Berry
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Cantor
Capito
Carson (OK)
Carter
Chabot
Chocola
Coble
Cole
Collins
Cox
Crane
Crenshaw
Culberson
Cunningham
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeLay
Doolittle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Ehlers
Emerson
Everett
Feeney
Flake
Forbes
Fossella
Franks (AZ)
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gibbons
Gillmor
Gingrey
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Green (WI)
Gutknecht
Hall
Harris
Hart
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hostettler
Houghton
Hulshof
Hyde
Issa
Istook
Jenkins
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Keller
Kennedy (MN)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kline
Knollenberg
Latham
LaTourette
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Manzullo
McCotter
McCrery
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKeon
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Murphy
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Nussle
Osborne
Ose
Otter
Oxley
Paul
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Pombo
Portman
Pryce (OH)
Quinn
Radanovich
Ramstad
Regula
Rehberg
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Schrock
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Sherwood
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (MI)
Smith (TX)
Souder
Stearns
Stenholm
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thornberry
Tiberi
Toomey
Turner (OH)
Upton
Vitter
Walsh
Wamp
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)



---- NOT VOTING 33 ---

Ballenger
Barrett (SC)
Boehlert
Burr
Cannon
Cubin
DeMint
Dooley (CA)
Fattah
Gephardt
Gutierrez
Hastings (FL)
Hoeffel
Honda
Hunter
Isakson
John
Jones (OH)
Kingston
Majette
Meeks (NY)
Murtha
Nethercutt
Payne
Putnam
Rogers (KY)
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sanders
Shays
Tauzin
Tiahrt
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)

[Siamese Princess]

Hello, fellow New Jerseyan,

I'm not certain, but it may be in The Politics, Book V, xi. Methods of Preserving Monarchies, with Particular Reference to Tyranny, pp. 343-351 (Penguin edition). I distinctly remember reading something regarding tyrants posing as the champions of slaves and women, but it's possible I confused what Aristotle actually wrote with a modern writer's interpretation of what he wrote. Aristotle made fascinating observations about the nature of tyrants which still ring true today. Human nature hasn't changed in 2300 years.

I did find the complete Politics on the web:

http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/politics.html

A different translation (Benjamin Jowett) of the book I have.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Is this (below) it? I Googled and found something very close to what you described. As you mentioned, it is Book V, Ch. XI:

"All these things also which are done in an extreme democracy should be done in a tyranny, as permitting great licentiousness to the women in the house, that they may reveal their husbands' secrets; and showing great indulgence to slaves also for the same reason; for slaves and women conspire not against tyrants: but when they are treated with kindness, both of them are abettors of tyrants, and extreme democracies also; and the people too in such a state desire to be despotic."

I found it at http://www.literaturepage.com/read/treatiseongovernment-155.html

[Siamese Princess]

That's the chapter and more than likely the accurate version of what I thought Aristotle said, though translations differ.

[mississippi red-neck]

God, our Constitution and Christianity are all under simultaneous attack by those that seek absolute power.

Christians because they are the largest organized group who believe that they answer to a higher authority than the Government.

The Constitution because it says there is a higher authority than the Government of men.

Then God who is that Authority.

When these three are sufficiently undermined and subdued, then the Government of men can become the supreme entity.

It is working.