So-called Hate Crimes Legislation Moving in the Senate Threatens Religious Freedom

May 13, 2008 – For more than a decade, Traditional Values Coalition has led the effort to expose the dangers and real effect of the term “hate crimes”-- whether it be in legislation, government funded curriculum or American’s daily life and liberties.

We have just marked the one year anniversary of the U.S. House of Representatives passing so-called “hate crimes” legislation, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 1592. In a clear slap in the face to Christians, the San Francisco leadership of the House actually called for the vote on the National Day of Prayer last May 3rd. **A vote on “hate crimes” could come shortly after the U.S. Senate returns from the Memorial Day recess.

For the past 8 years, the Senate has used the Department of Defense Authorization (DOD) bill as the legislative vehicle to vote on this legally treacherous and anti-Christian hate crimes language. We expect the Senate to use it again, with the DOD bill likely to be on the Senate floor in a few weeks.

Contact your two U.S. Senators immediately to oppose this dangerous legislation which will negatively impact a Christian’s right to free speech and religious liberty.

Allegedly designed to help local law enforcement “combat hate crimes,” the bill actually creates two new federally-protected minority groups: “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” – both are undefined in the current legislation. If passed, this “hate crimes” legislation would add a person’s ever-changing “sexual orientation” to the list of federally-protected minority groups.

This bill strikes at the heart of free speech and freedom of religious expression. Why? Because statements critical concerning sexual orientation or sexual identity can be prosecuted – if those statements were part of the motivation of a person committing a crime against a homosexual, bisexual, cross-dresser or transsexual.

If a pastor speaks out against homosexuality and a church member commits a violent crime against a homosexual or transgender, the pastor’s sermon can be considered as an inducement to the crime! A pastor’s sermon could be considered hate speech under this bill, punishable by imprisonment. The Act specifically authorizes enhanced penalties for crimes where speech and thoughts, which are deemed politically incorrect, are the “motive.” Protect your religious freedom. Contact your two U.S. Senators immediately.

According to TVC Executive Director Andrea Lafferty, “In my conversations with Senators and staff, it is clear that the homosexual/transgender lobby is putting a great deal of pressure on the Senate to pass this law.

“It is most important that those who value their religious freedom lobby their Senators against passage of any legislation that makes ‘sexual orientation’ or ‘gender identity’ into federally-protected classes for we know it begins to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, business owners, and anyone else whose actions are based upon – and reflect the truths found in the Bible about homosexual conduct.”

Background

Last year, Traditional Values Coalition held briefings for Members of Congress and their staff, providing them with a wealth of background information on the dangerous threat that this bill poses to religious freedom and equal justice under the law.

Additionally, TVC’s Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon and Executive Director Andrea Lafferty sat through nearly 10 hours of congressional wrangling over amendments to this treacherous hate-crimes legislation. Traditional Values Coalition was the only pro-family group to remain on-site the entire day, caucusing with members of Congress and offering strategy. Later we were credited by a number of lawmakers for being part of the action.

One highlight from the 10 hour House Judiciary Committee markup last year, was when Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), a former judge, forced Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) to admit that if a minister preaches that sexual relations outside of marriage of a man and woman is wrong, and somebody within that congregation causes bodily injury to a person, that the sermon or teachings could be used in evidence against the minister.

This proves our point on how dangerous this bill is to religious freedom. If a pastor speaks out against homosexuality and a church member commits a violent crime against a homosexual or transgender, the pastor’s sermon can be considered as an inducement to the crime! A pastor’s sermon could be considered hate speech under this bill, punishable by imprisonment.

For months, Traditional Values Coalition hammered the bill’s supporters on the fact they were using fraudulent and ridiculous claims in the Findings section of the bill to build their case for this legislation. Eventually, they quietly removed this section before it passed the House. These fraudulent findings remain in the Senate bill.

In addition, TVC’s report on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act exposed the fact that there is NO epidemic of hate crimes against homosexuals in the United States.

FBI hate crime statistics prove it! FBI stats for 2005 show that there were only 1,171 hate crimes committed against a person’s sexual orientation! Of these, 177 were listed as “aggravated assault,” – which involves committing bodily harm (this amounts to 0.000205 percent of all aggravated assaults for 2005); 333 were listed as “simple assault,” – which means pushing or shoving; 301 were “intimidation” – name-calling! This out of a population of 300 million people. While any crime is unfortunate, this is hardly an epidemic.

Fortunately, as a result of our efforts, President Bush vowed to veto this bill last year.

TVC has published detailed analyses of the Senate version of this bill. As in the past, we will keep our supporters updated on any movement in the House or Senate on it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact your two U.S. Senators and urge them to vote NO on any “hate crimes” bill or amendment CLICK HERE.

It is vital that you alert your pastor, as well as, your friends and family. Let them know that this bill is a real threat to their religious freedom.

Additional Background Information:
It’s Back: Federal ‘Hate Crimes’ Legislation;
Sen. Kennedy Tries To Slip ‘Hate Crime’ Bill Into Defense Budget Authorization;
So-called Hate Crimes Bill Paves Way For Prosecution Of Christians;
So-called ‘Hate Crime’ Bill Vote During National Day Of Prayer Week;
TVCSpecialReportHateCrimesLegislation
30 Sexual Orientations

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