Hate Crimes Bill Gains Momentum in Congress
by: staff - Apr 17, 2007 - comments: 5
Legislation that would create new classes of people under the law and criminalize hate thoughts, in addition to acts of violence, is quickly moving through the House of Representatives.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) would establish a new federal offense for so-called “hate crimes” and add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected classes, as well as mandate a separate federal criminal prosecution for state offenses for crimes motivated by “the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.”
The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing Tuesday on the legislation, introduced by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), who also chairs the full committee. The subcommittee and full committee are expected to markup the bill next week.
On April 12, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced hate crimes legislation (S. 1105) in the Senate.
“Thought crimes” legislation, as it might better be termed, poses a threat to equal justice and freedom of thought, speech, association, and religion. By adding special protections for certain people, it would undercut the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which grants equality for each person under the law, and send us backward into a caste society. In essence, it would codify into federal law that certain types of people, homosexuals and transgenders, for example, have more worth than others. Further, the bill would authorize law enforcement officials to act as thought police to try to determine whether “hate” accompanies violent activity. The truth is all violent crimes are hate crimes, and they should all be prosecuted to the same extent.
Many people also fear that a federal hate crimes law would open the door to criminalizing those who use non-violent speech, such as Christians who express their concerns about homosexual behavior, which some may interpret as hateful. Canada, Sweden, and England have already interpreted their hate crimes laws to include not just acts of violence motivated by “hate,” but also speech that criticizes homosexuality. On our own soil in October 2004, eleven Christians who encouraged homosexual activists at a “National Coming Out Day” fair in Philadelphia to repent were jailed overnight, and several of them faced multiple charges under a Pennsylvania hate crimes law. The charges were dismissed several months later, but courts in the future might not rule so favorably, particularly under a federal hate crimes law.
If you are concerned that this hate crimes legislation will create special classes of people who will receive special protections not afforded to others, please tell your congressman and senators to oppose H.R. 1592, S. 1105, and any other hate crimes legislation.
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5 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Apr 17th, 2007, at 9:08pm, Stacy L. Harp wrote:
Great work! I’m so thankful that you and many others are sounding the alarm about this very dangerous legislation. You’ll remain in my prayers.
2 On Apr 19th, 2007, at 12:42am, steve wrote:
Isn’t it astounding that a Christian organisation such as the SBC should want to oppose something as Christ like as hate crime legislation - well, Christ like in terms of how the SBC often describe their loving Saviour.
Reading this article I can’t help but get the feeling that the only reason the SBC is opposed to the legislation is because they’d have to think twice before criticizing homosexuals for being what they are. Well so be it. Attacking people because of their race, sexual preference or religion etc surely is something even Christians would want to see eliminated.
The argument that the law would create a ‘caste society’ is specious. The law does not provide special privileges for certain members of society it simply takes into account the motive of the perpetrator. No different to discerning between a crime of passion and cold blooded murder.
3 On Apr 26th, 2007, at 7:46am, Melanie wrote:
Unless you are planning VIOLENT CRIMES against gays, you don’t have to worry about this bill.
4 On Apr 29th, 2007, at 11:02pm, Dianne wrote:
Are grandmothers getting arrested in Pennsylvania becacuse of this bill? Gosh, what a scary thought. I do believe that all violent crimes are hate crimes and should be treated equally before a court of law. I see no other reason to pass this bill than to silence the conservative right by making their Gospel illegal. And is it true there is going to be a trailer on this bill that would make it mandatory for consumers to purchase medicinal herbs with a prescription? That’s what I heard...?
5 On May 1st, 2007, at 7:14am, Fabio Escobar wrote:
This bill is another step towards the fascist society being built in the United States. The criminalization of speech and thought was inevitable in a society run by spineless politicians that do nothing but listen to the angry mob.