Hate Speech
“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” I John 3:15
Some conservative Christians have recently publicly opposed legislation which extends the definition of hate crimes to include crimes committed because of the victim’s disabilities, gender, or sexual preference.
Though I’m sure it was not intended, these folks prove why there is a need for the law. The protesters feel that unfettered ability to publicly label homosexuals as sinners is more important than protecting them from hate crimes.
We’ve already decided as a society that it is unacceptable to commit crimes out of animosity because race, religion, or ethnicity. The current proposals extend that to gender, sexual orientation, or those with disabilities. Whether you view sexual orientation as a genetic (as is race or ethnicity) or a life-style choice (as is religion) doesn’t matter. Whether you view a particular sexual orientation as moral or immoral also doesn’t matter. What does matter is that some people think it acceptable to terrorize, assault, and kill gay, lesbian, and transgender people. Some of those that carry out these acts cite the Bible in the same way as those objecting to the legislation. Eric Rudolph, for example, felt he was doing God’s will when he bombed abortion clinics and a gay and lesbian nightclub. But even the motivation of those who attack isn’t really the issue.
This is the issue.
Hate is hate whether it comes wrapped in a Bible verse or swastika and should have no place in a free and democratic society. All US citizens regardless of their creed should be able to agree on that.
May 21st, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Sin is Sin
Hate is Hate
Grace falls like rain
Forgivness comes harder than it should to Gods people
Nice entry
Thanks
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:28 am
Rick,
Thanks for the response.
Nice to hear from you.
I can appreciate the concern that conservative Christians express regarding free speech. But free speech was never without limits.
Hopefully this legislation will serve as a wake-up call to those so invested in self-righteous rage that they condemn the sinner as well as the sin.
It is interesting to read that recent polls show almost 70% approval of this legislation by the voting public. The American people are concerned about religious fenaticism at home too.
Jeff