President Obama signs federal hate crimes law under banner of change

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Comments: 20

President Barack Obama

Washington D.C., Oct 28, 2009 / 06:18 pm (CNA).- President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law this afternoon in the East Room of the White House. The law, which secured passage by being attached to a military spending bill, is being flagged by Christians as a possible vehicle for preventing them from teaching against homosexuality.

Named after two victims of purported hate crimes, the bill allows federal authorities to prosecute violence based on gender, perceived or actual sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Defenders of the bill say that it doesn’t target Christian beliefs because it deals with actions only and not words, but many Christians, such as Dr. Gary L. Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission say that “where hate crime laws have been enacted, it is Christians, specifically conservative Christians who hold to the historic Christian faith and it's values, that become the object of institutionalized, governmental hate."

Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, claimed that the hate crimes provision “is part of a radical social agenda that could ultimately silence Christians and use the force of government to marginalize anyone whose faith is at odds with homosexuality.”

As he signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to which the Hate Crimes Prevention Act was attached, President Obama said, “So today I'm pleased to say that we have proved that change is possible. It may not come quickly, or all at once, but if you push hard enough, it does come eventually.”

President Obama invoked the memory of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, who was a supporter of the act in its early stages.

The president also recounted how he promised Judy Shepard, Mathew Shepard’s mother, that this day would come. “After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are,” he proudly concluded.

The motive behind Matthew Shepard's brutal murder remains unknown, with some claiming that he was murdered for being a homosexual and others that it was a drug deal gone bad.

Comments: 20

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Mark T
San Antonio/TX/USA 10/30/2009 07:40 AM EST

Make no mistake about it, this is one foot of a two-footed animal. Wait until the other foot drops and he allows gays in the military to "out" themselves. Imagine the legal wranglings then of the platoon leader that calls forth a soldier to the frontline who happens to be gay - and this soldier is wounded and/or killed in action - can anyone spell . . . h-a-t-e c-r-i-m-e legislation via the "justice" system???????? Poor platoon leader . . .

Published by: Priest Ioannis
USA 10/30/2009 03:10 AM EST

Nothing in this Bill requires any religion or belief system to alter basic tenets of the faith. Seems you'all are more concerned about forcing your religious beliefs on others whether they want them or not. From I recall, free will is the mark (good or bad) of the sanctity of human life. Christ himself would speak against hate crimes, but you'll speak as the Pharisees to whom He said "Woe to you hypocrites!"

Published by: RJ
Az USA 10/29/2009 01:49 PM EST

This hate crimes law can now be used to declare the Bible itself promotes hate crime. There is nothing Christion about this law.

Published by: Ron
Valrico, Fl 10/29/2009 01:49 PM EST

Like any other legislation that is passed it is easy to read into it what it might or might not do. Remember Christ said "render unto Cesear the things that are Cesears snd unto God that which is God's". So the government can pretty much pass those laws that are necessary for the protection of its citizens. No law or anything else that is contrary to the teachings of Christ should have an impact on our beliefs and faith. And like Christ we must show compassion to all as they are His brothers and sisters as well. Yes I believe there are people out there who will use the new legislation to push their own agendas and even try to further hamper our religious freedoms but we need to wait until that happens and then approach the problem with prayer and legal counsel.

Published by: flip dawson
north hatley,quebec,canada 10/29/2009 12:48 PM EST

We have this hate law in canada,it's about protecting homosexual life style be careful what you say or do.

Published by: Luke
Missouri 10/29/2009 12:05 PM EST

If my memory serves me correctly, I believe that murder, homosexuals or not, is already illegal, and hateful.

Published by: Brian
Indianapolis, IN, USA 10/29/2009 10:51 AM EST

Please listen to Keith. Please listen to Fred.

Published by: Craig
maumee, ohio,usa 10/29/2009 10:50 AM EST

Homosexual actions is wrong but we love the person who is made in the image of god but disapprove of their actions just like if someone says sex with an animal is wrong or killing someone or sex with kids, even if homosexual speaks about our vitures wouldnt we say that is a hate crime too, as we speak about their actions which are immoral just as the government speaks againt drug dealers, immoral acts too. so if its a hate crime for us to speak against their actions so is it a hate crime for them to speak against our actions and preaching. Its like me wearing a tee shirt saying homosexual is wrong and them wearing a tee shirt saying catholicism is wrong both the same we cathiolics are just living our own vitures to god as homosexual are to theirs. If they are allowed to live theirs so should we catholics be able to live ours.

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass 10/29/2009 09:26 AM EST

In all honesty I would have to believe that if the government mandates that nothing is wrong with homosexuality and acting it out,than as a non-believing person of any kind of faith,than this seems fine. As a Christian it is a sin and the inclinations of all those so inclined to act as homosexuals,should be discouraged,as it is a matter of ones attaining their salvation. To convert to the Christian faith would mean conversion from the belief that homosexuality as an acceptable "Lifestyle" is totally correct. God made all people to have choice as a result of their "Free Will" he made no-one to be gender compromised such as being born a homosexual. If it were a matter of choice for someone that God is calling them to be a Catholic,than the choice is easy in my opinion so BE CATHOLIC! Forget the homosexual" lifestlye". I never heard of Matthew Shepard but physical crimes against anyone is a "Hate crime"!

Published by: Elija
Jerusalem 10/29/2009 03:53 AM EST

We should not close the eyes - the hidden direction behind all the words which seems to be good - will be against the Christians and believers who can not accept the goverments ideology. They will press us to deny our Christian convictions according homosexual-actions, they will make pressure that we teach our children according to their "ideology of liberty", they will also use our refusing of p o s i t i v e acceptance of homosexual-acts against us, preachers will in future not to be allowd to say what is according to our faith at this point etc. No fear! But clear view of what is going on. A new Antichristpower is on the way and raising the head. If Tony Blair would be president of Europe we willface with B. Obama and him two persons in most powerful positions serving the spread of the culture of death. It is high time for a more organized spiritual resistance throughout all people who want to obey and follow God and not an ideology leading to death! Lord have mercy and give us strength for resistance and that we use the time before a worldwide Antichristgoverment is in full power to run for evangelsation, evangelisation, evangelisation!

Published by: Taz
Ottawa, Ont, Canada 10/29/2009 01:43 AM EST

It's about time. God said thal shal not judge. Their are many things in the bible that say one thing but interpited otherwise. Many can look in the bible with diffrent lenses. That is the thing, the bible is interpeted in many diffrent ways with to much contradiction from the old testement and the new.

Published by: Fred Celio
Pasadena, Ca, USA 10/29/2009 01:22 AM EST

Since when did hate become a crhistian value.Why would a true crhistian be afraid of a law like this. Are we not to love homosexuals and to show them compasion. I know what the "conservative christains say, love the sinner and hate the sin. I don't know anyone though who can do that without the grace that comes from regualraly taking the sacraments. The Lord be with you, Fred Celio

Published by: Constance
CT, USA 10/28/2009 11:59 PM EST

I am appalled at how police, feds, etc. will be allowed to just decide why someone has done something to someone else. Who is the one that perceives? How will they know what that person who commits the "crime" is thinking? This is unconstitutional. How can someone else know someone is gay or how can the authorities know that they know the victim is gay? It isn't evident like race. When my Church had signs destroyed about traditional marriage, nothing was done. This seems to go only one way. This is a shame and it will go to words because the FBI keeps statistics. The statistics include times some one has called another a name. Perception is everything. Perception is not TRUTH. I believe we need to have compassion for all people, but if a crime has been committed it should be treated like any other crime being committed to some one not in any of these "protected" groups. If capital punishment doesn't stop murders, why would you think this law will stop discrimination? Look to Canada.

Published by: Niles
San Francisco, CA 10/28/2009 10:55 PM EST

Deo Gratias! May the soul of Matthew Shepard, in whose honor & memory this historic bill is named, rest in Peace, & may it give his loving mother, Judy some very small measure of comfort for the tragic murder of her child. And May eternal rest grant onto the soul of the late Senator Ted Kennedy for championing this bill. Lastly, may this bill be a reminder to us all, that hate speech has never been a sanctioned part of Catholic teaching, despite the lunatic fringe of the ilk of Father Coughlin in the 1930's & 40's. +Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us & Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Published by: Thecla St. Romain
Breaux Bridge, LA. USA 10/28/2009 08:31 PM EST

One of these days my God, my Lord, my Saviour, God the Holy Spirit will say, "OK, that's enough and what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah is what will happen in America." (Total destruction). All I can ask is for God to have mercy on His children. Amen

Published by: Keith
Houston, TX USA 10/28/2009 07:58 PM EST

Purported??? Are you serious? I live in the state of Texas. What happened to Mr. Byrd wasn't purported. People were CONVICTED. It was an awful crime. Similarly for Mr. Shepard. You may not like the legislation, but these were real events that had a damaging effect on many lives. Such remarks belie your pro-life stance that all too often ends after birth.

Published by: Brian
Indianapolis, IN, USA 10/28/2009 07:48 PM EST

Everyone, please, let's keep in mind that terrorizing crimes targeting certain kinds of people really do happen. I wish that the author of this article cited a proponent of the law--no, at least two or three.

Published by: William James, PhD
Sacramento/ CA/USA 10/28/2009 07:14 PM EST

In the U.S., orthodox Christians of all faiths still comprise at least 25% of the population. By provocations such as this stealthy "hate crimes" law, the government risks a backlash that could threaten its ability to govern. Does President Obama really want to open that Pandora's box?

Published by: robert matzinger
taylor/michigan/usa 10/28/2009 07:11 PM EST

Nothing new here. This is just another "sneaky" move by Obama and the democrats to start paying back the gay community for their support of Obama! What ever happened to Obamas committment to "transparency" he campaigned on? I guess now that he's president, he can forget all his campaign promises!

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 10/28/2009 06:38 PM EST

Another Anti Christian and unconstitutional "law" sponsored by the ADL and the homosexual lobby and passed by the secular, leftist liberals in Congress and signed by a Godless president. If the federal courts worked correctly, this fascist and UNAmerican garbage would be declared unconstitutional!!

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