Religious conservatives have increased their campaign to label the Hate Crimes legislation as the "pedophile protection" act. An email from the American Family Associaiton declared:
"If a mother hears that their child has been raped, and she slaps the assailant with her purse, she is now gone after as a hate criminal because this is a protected class," said Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas.
It's simply not true that the legislation protects pedophiles. It protects people engaged in adult, consensual homosexuality.It's also not likely that slapping someone with a purse would constitute a felonious crime of violence.
My concern is that such laws have included so many "protected classes" that there really are no protected classes. The same protections provided gays in the law are also be afforded victims of violence on the basis of religion, for instance..
Come to think of it, if a gay were to physically attack a conservative evangelical because of his religion -- including his religious views on moral issues -- the Christian could use the same hate crime law to prosecute the gay.
Why are religious conservatives not highlighting the ways the Hate Crime laws can be used to protect Christians from rampant anti-Christian violence perpetrated by gays?
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Um, what rampant anti-Christian violence perpetrated by gays? The only thing I can think of is the brouhaha after Prop 8's passing, which was of course inexcusable and totally shameful to the rest of the community.
It really concerns me that Steven doesn't think gays (or transgender people for that matter) are important enough to add to the list-- it just seems really callous to say "oh, well, we don't want to add too many categories" when sexual and gender minorities are more often the victims of hate violence than any other group in this country. If any classifications ought to be covered, it's those two, especially if race is covered, because being gay or trans is no more a choice than being black.
Let's see... Miss california bring any memories back? That was rampant hate...I remember seeing on cbn back in 92 a video of homosexuals attacking people attending a rally at a catholic church in new york..its on tape people..rude and suggestive and violent in nature..email cbn ask for them to add that video to youtube. and this was in 92..the homosexual community hates christians and the world is on their side.Why do they hate us. I have a stepson who is homosexual and a stepdaughter who thinks she is bi..do i hate them no..but i hate what that lifestyle is doing to them.the sonsays he has wanted out all his life.but he will not seek help from people who have been delivered from the problem. the daughter says her friends are all trying it..What is happening to this world? Hpmpsexuality has gained ground as NORMAL.The mindset of the usa is changing. Truly the Bible is correct in saying "In the last days that which is evil will be thought of as good and good will be thought of as evil...that day is here folks. Judgement is not to far off.
Cassie C
July 2, 2009 3:51 AM
Um, what rampant anti-Christian violence perpetrated by gays? The only thing I can think of is the brouhaha after Prop 8's passing, which was of course inexcusable and totally shameful to the rest of the community.
===
This is simply the Christian martyrdom and victimhood tactic. Claim that you are a victim, and do not justify it.
If anything the gays have been restrained. Nothing in history has eve been accomplished through strict non-violence, and Christianity has benefited from this. Christians have wreaked violence for centuries, and should be prepared to have their churches burned down by those that it has wronged.
"Why are religious conservatives not highlighting the ways the Hate Crime laws can be used to protect Christians from rampant anti-Christian violence perpetrated by gays?"
Um, maybe because those "crimes" simply aren't happening. Imaginary attacks? Pure delusion on the part of the 'conservative' 'christian' 'right'.
Rob,
"I have seen the hearts on the part of the LGBT folks by beating women in SF"
Citations please. (Otherwise, we'll know you're merely bearing false witness.)
"arresting Christians in Phily"
Again, citations please. (Otherwise, we'll know you're merely bearing false witness - AGAIN!)
"This is is all talking around the REAL issue that is that Christians do not want to be prosecuted for thought or conscience crimes"
They aren't, they haven't been and they won't be. This is more lying by the so-called "Christian" 'right'.
"simply because they publicly state that they believe that the bible says that homosexuality is wrong."
If that was all they said, we could chalk it up to ignorance (which it is) and leave well enough alone - you go to your church and I'll go to mine sort of thing. Trouble is, they go on (and on) to compare consenting adult human same-sex relationships to beastiality, rape, child-molestation, "marryin' a plant" (a direct quote from Erin Manning on the Crucnhy Con blog, alongside "marryin' a rock" or a "bicycyle", etc.), necrophilia - why, the list is endless and endlessly 'creative' (aka false). And then they go on and say (and here again, I'm quoting, in this case, The Bible) "they shall surely be put to death". Do you believe gay people should be put to death?
"This has always been the issue with hate crimes. Canada's version is pretty chilling."
Pure and utter bullshit. I'm from Canada and it simply is not happening the way you portray it.
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