‘Hate crimes’ bill passed by House could threaten religious freedoms, critics warn

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 25

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.)

Washington D.C., Oct 10, 2009 / 07:55 am (CNA).- Following the U.S. House’s passage of hate crimes legislation attached to a military spending bill, critics have argued its provisions create “special rights” based on sexual behavior and could threaten religious freedom. They further charged that the provisions’ backers used the military as a “political tool” to achieve their goals.

The bill authorized $680 billion for the Defense Department, the Washington Post reports. It also contained a provision that would broaden the definition of federal hate crimes to include attacks based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

The legislation also created a new federal crime to cover attacks against U.S. military personnel because of their service.

A reported 281 congressmen voted in favor of the bill, with 146 opposed. Fifteen Democrats and 131 Republicans opposed the bill, which now pass the Senate before it is sent to President Barack Obama’s desk for his signature.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, charged in a Thursday statement that the hate crimes legislation was a “thought-crimes bill” that creates “special protection for a particular group” in violation of the principle of equal justice under the law.

“This measure is about giving special rights based solely on sexual behavior,” Perkins commented, praising congressmen who voted against the bill.

“All of our citizens deserve equal justice under the law. Do we somehow care less about victims violently assaulted in the act of robbery or during a personal dispute than we do about those assaulted because they belong in a federally designated, politically motivated category?”

Perkins also warned that the legislation may cause “serious infringements” of free speech rights.

“'Hate crime' legislation will lay the legal foundation and framework for investigating, prosecuting and persecuting pastors, business owners, and anyone else whose actions reflect their faith," he added.

Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) in a Thursday statement criticized the legislation before it was passed by the House.

He charged that it treated U.S. military as a “political tool” and as “pack mules” to carry “a despicable and unconstitutional bill that penalizes thought and places a premium on some classes of individuals over others.”

“No American should be more protected from violent crime than another. All violent crimes demonstrate hate and all should be fully prosecuted,” Rep. Price added. “Justice should be blind, but Democrats have rejected the credo of our Founders that all people are created equal. This legislation will eventually invite the prosecution of Americans for their thoughts and religious beliefs, basic provinces protected by the First Amendment.”

Comments: 25

Subscriber comments:

Published by: PropKid
Fayetteville, AR, USA 11/14/2009 03:30 PM EST

Okay, kids, look- first off, it's NOT a "thought crime"! You are allowed to think, and SAY, whatever you feel. But if you attack someone *because* of what group you think they represent, THAT is a hate crime. If a homosexual is killed during a robbery, then it is NOT a hate crime. If a homosexual is killed *because* he's a homosexual, then that IS a hate crime. Learn what the bill is actually about before you criticize it! Hate speech is STILL protected, it's the violent crimes that are NOT! If someone (black/homosexual/military/based upon religious beliefs/whatever) then that crime is usually a means to scare, or "terrorize" and entire group. Yes, it's terrorism. THAT is what terrorism is, using violence as a means to intimidate another group, usually for political purposes, but no always. So if you are opposed to legislation which basically say that domestic terrorism is wrong, then what does that make you? Hmm... I'll leave that one alone for now. But you can keep thinking and speaking out against whichever groups you choose, your "hate think" and "hate speech" is well protected. But the second you raise a hand (or a gun) to someone because of your hatred, that is when this law will come bite you. Can you REALLY be against domestic terrorism, people? It protects religious groups, race, gender, AND sexuality, but oh gosh, it must be evil!

Published by: William James, PhD
Sacramento/ CA/USA 10/26/2009 08:31 PM EST

Not long after the Matthew Shepard murder, I happened to be in Laramie, Wyoming (my transmission went out, and I was stranded there for the weekend). Without my asking, a local remarked to me that the murder was not about anyone being gay. He said he was in the bar that night and saw Mr. Shepard flashing around "a lot of money." He said that the killer was a notorius meth fiend, who saw the money and lured Shepard by any means he could. This witness said that the murder was the result of meth-induced madness and greed. He did not think that it was a hate crime and was surprised that the media had presented it as such. He told me all of this very calmy and did not appear to me to have any hidden agenda except to speak the truth.

Published by: s. martinez
lyford, tx 10/24/2009 03:57 PM EST

Excuse me I am a christian and I don't hate anyone. God loves us all, the liar, the cheater, the manipulator, the adulter, the murder, the straight and the homosexual but one thing we must understand that God hates sin. We all fall short but it is through His mercy and grace that God has not destroyed us all. We all make choices two road are set before us life or death blessings or cursing we must choose.

Published by: Luke
oklahoma 10/24/2009 03:32 AM EST

Why is it a hate crime for me to believe homosexuality is wrong, Its my opinion, Im entitled to it, And at the same time if you say that christianity is wrong, then havent you commited a hate crime as well? Whats good for the goose is good for the gander, this is the start of eventually outlawing christianity, God help us!

Published by: noname
nocity 10/22/2009 04:38 PM EST

This article I believe clearly presented the conservative side of the argument and also raised the important point that all violent crimes are serious. However, my question is why do most of the commenters assume that just because some of these congresspeople supported the legislation, that they are somehow corrupt communists or immoral or whatever. They may be misguided but to be accused of such things without any real proof seems unCatholic to me. I'm also noticing that many of the commenters have focused in on the gay issue of the hate crime legislation. But the legislation included gender, disability, and U.S. military personnel because of their service. Not that that makes the legislation any better but why the focus on just the gay part? And whether you believe being gay is a sin or not, it never ever under any circumstances gives you or anyone the right to harm a gay person in anyway. Heck, we're all gluttons in some way right? And that's a sin as well.

Published by: torqueflite
Colorado 10/19/2009 04:18 PM EST

"The evidence shows that Matthew Shepard was most likely killed in a drug issue gone bad." This is a conservative myth...are you a Fred Phelps adherent? Testimony at the trial made it very clear that the perps lured Shepard from the tavern by telling him they were gay. There is no evidence of a drug deal. You sound pleased to find any alleged reason to excuse a crime against a gay person...perhaps you need to examine your faith.

Published by: torqueflite
Colorado 10/17/2009 07:21 PM EST

lome, the "sin" of Sodom was the failure to provide hospitality to foreigners. I suggest you get some therapy for your blind hatred, and some Biblical education for your pitiful ignorance.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 10/17/2009 10:06 AM EST

Sophia, What are you referring to when you say "Gospel of inclusive love"

Published by: Sophia
Atlanta 10/14/2009 11:07 AM EST

So much hate and ignorance in one place, a religious place none the less. Sad, and counter to the Gospel of inclusive love. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Published by: lome
SJCA 10/12/2009 11:23 PM EST

MINCED TITLES PREFERRED BY THE SODOMITES-- Sad to say, the biblical title of Sodomites, which was given to these debased sinners by God, is seldom used by those who cry out against this terrible wickedness. They usually use the term-- 1. Homosexual--This is like calling a drunkard an alcoholic; or calling a thief a cleptomaniac. The sharp words of God are ". . . quick, and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword. " When preachers, and others who oppose this vile sin, use the term "homosexual" they are only giving a partial definition of what a Sodomite is! 2. Gays- This is their choice title of this day. This, like the other, only gives a partial definition of what a Sodomite is, and the sharp edge of the Word of God is gone. According to Webster, "gay" means: "loose; licentious." The Sodomites far surpass that in their vileness. Our text does not say there were homosexuals in the land or gays in the land. It says there were Sodomites in the land! A Sodomite woman is not a lesbian nor is a Sodomite man a gay. They are Sodomites! Call them what they are by using the title of infainy given them by the Lord. Don't let the Sodomites choose their title. God has already named them! Call them Sodomites whether they like it or not.

Published by: stunned
Pasco,WA 10/12/2009 02:42 PM EST

Stunned is the only thing that I am, crime is crime and now the congress only want to help special interest again!!! Shame on those who voted on this, shame, shame, shame, I hope they are not going to be exempt by this shameless law, for they should not be above the laws they pass without reading them.

Published by: The Cross
Petersburg, Virginia, USA 10/11/2009 08:38 PM EST

I rather go to prison then to allow the Communist, ACLU and the Homosexual SS to teach my child that this abomination is ok. No you want, No you want, No you want! Don't Tried On Me Congress, Mr. President you're fired!

Published by: catholic
america 10/11/2009 07:19 PM EST

The Anti Defamation League of B'nai B'rith is behind all these hate crime laws in Western Europe and North America. Their goal is to criminalize Christianity and silence any opposition to their Talmudic Zionist Agenda of World Domination.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 10/11/2009 03:36 PM EST

This whole "hate crimes" nonsense is just another way to force the gay agenda. It's that simple. If you don't see it, you aren't being intellectually honest. You want to see how far these seemingly innocent "hate crimes" laws can stray?...look to Canada. "special rights" you keep referring to are rights that EVERY American should have" You don't need to start compartmentalizing crimes into "hate" categories. The whole concept is absurd. Can you image the number of "hate crimes" we could think up? A crime is a crime. What's next, thought police?

Published by: Warren Anderson
Victoria, BC, Canada 10/10/2009 11:26 PM EST

You better believe such legislation will result in restrictions on religious freedoms. In Canada, our benignly named though dreaded HRCs (Human Rights Commissions) are provincial tribunals wherein such legislation is applied. Individuals holding dissenting viewpoints that interfere with the gay social engineering agenda are routinely bullied into submission and bankrupted by the cost of mounting a defense. Ipso facto - one is guilty until proven innocent. With the exception of one recent finding in favour of a defendant, the HRCs have a nearly 100% conviction rate. Freedom of Speech in Canada is a right in name only. To those who think that American citizens cannot possibly be prone to severe restrictions on speech, revisit your own history. If you think the House Committee on Un-American Activities in the 1950s was bad, just imagine what it would be like to have your life ruined because a co-worker indoctrinated into some elitist, upside-down twisted brownshirt philosophy reported you for "un-American" activities. Or, simply maintain a head-in-the-sand approach and wake up in the U.S. version of Saudi Arabia and expect a visit from the Mutaween.

Published by: Diamondback
Summerville SC 10/10/2009 05:37 PM EST

Christians of all denominations must realize that sometimes you must fight and fight hard. Was it easy for the prophet of God to stand up to the priests of Baal? No. Was it easy for Gideon to lead his tiny militia against the huge numbers of their foe? No. Was it easy for the children of God to conquer the lands promised to them by God? No. It will not be easy but Christians can take America back for the glory of God and the preservation of our God given freedom. We just have to step out of our comfort zone and like our founding fathers, risk life, limb, and fortunes for what is right. We must defend our country against these despotic usurpers of power and restore control to God and WE THE PEOPLE. "Liberty or Death"

Published by: gerald brown
park hill, ok. us 10/10/2009 05:14 PM EST

however you look at it no bill or law can be passed in congress to infinge on an americans right to worship at anytime, anywhere or anyplace...in part the 1st amendment stated that " congress shall pass no laws respecting AN establishment of religion or the exercise thereof" also incudes the freedom of speech...lets look a little further.. an pertains to a single faith in the cog of religion as was done in England before we were a nation..the colonys did not go along with that and wrote this as part of the constitution.. if not they would have said or wrote: Congress will make laws respection an establishment of religion ( such as Cathlics, Baptist and so on' there is no such thing as seperation of church and state..not in the constitution or the bible or anywhere else, except in the minds of atheist and last but not least the ACLU they by far are the most dangerous group in this country they take it upon themselves to dictate to the american people they views about various subjects and with no facts to back up their "claims" as it were..the ten commandments, for example, are, in part, part of the bible which most all religions base there faith...it is not AN esablisment. catholics, baptist, lutherans are establishnment...that is what the forefathers were trying to protect was an indviduals right to worship as they see fit and any group of established faiths...again there is no such thing as seperation of church and state, the constitution stands strong, w/o help.........

Published by: Don Guillermo
Sacramento/CA/USA 10/10/2009 04:49 PM EST

If this bill and its "hate crimes" provision passes into law, what should be our response as devout Catholic and non-Catholic Christians? Clearly, we are fast approaching a time when, as a matter of Christian self-preservation, we will have no choice but to confront the civil authority in a final showdown of sorts. As it is, freedom of speech and religion have been supressed to the point that merely stating disapproval can be illegal. If, for example, a gay co-worker brings up a same-sex partner in conversation, Title VII prevents me from stating that I disapprove of a gay lifestyle. Disapproval and hate speech are different. By volunteering to tell me about a same-sex partner, the person in question makes it legitimate for me to express my disapproval. Too often, silence is mistaken for approval. It is no such thing; it is censorship. One response to the civil supression of Christianity could be for Christians to express their disapproval at work, when legitimate, in defiance of Title VII. If, as a matter of conscience, enough people refuse to abide by an unjust law, enforcement of said law becomes impossible. The clock is ticking....

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass. USA 10/10/2009 03:27 PM EST

Change????!!!!THE Fundamental changes in the constitution and basic laws of freedom is the change. Communism in America is here. Thought crimes?? Come on!! Every home will have to become a federal penitentiary,as bail for all of us will be higher than our taxes,assuming that we can all still have some freedom of mobility. Abomination is the congress of the "Obamination",are the acts against basic freedom, as it becomes one nation,"Godless"! Commonsense goodwill was always basic Christianity. The golden rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Now as laws against hate crimes are being established,the new rule that makes all this necessary is a perversion of the "Golden Rule". It is do unto others before they can do anything to you. Fear of being offended may be the greater source of aggression,as it brings out more of the worse in people,as they begin to actually enjoy breaking the law to provoke people who threaten them with accusations,that might just be a legitimate difference in a viewpoint. Will opposing points of view,that are not "Politically Correct"become "Hate Crime",we can only wait and see,"The times they are a Changin".

Published by: WeTheSheeple
Tawas City MI 10/10/2009 02:05 PM EST

If Rep Price truly believes that "all violent crimes demonstrate hate", then he should immediately introduce a bill to repeal ALL hate-crimes legislation, particularly the existing statute which covers religion. Otherwise he can sit down, shut up, and quit being such a hypocrite.

Published by: Ann
New York, NY 10/10/2009 01:27 PM EST

“Special protection for a particular group”? Kind of like race, except nobody seems upset that race-specific attacks and things like the KKK are considered hate crimes. I agree that all crimes should be fully prosecuted, but the suggestion of equal protection is unrealistic. I don't have Secret Service watching my back for me when I walk down the sidewalk. I don't have guards in my neighborhood like Beverly Hills. Some people become targets, like celebrities and minorities, and they will need more protection than others to be "equal" with everyone else.

Published by: Terrance Williams
Kenmore, NY, USA 10/10/2009 01:01 PM EST

I have always felt uneasy about 'hate' crimes. I know there are long lists of genuine grievances that are addressed but it totally evades equal justice under the law. That a crime, no matter how awful, is given greater standing than another just as awful crime not against some politically designated group seems indefensable to me. They are all traumatic experiences for the victims and need to be dealt with equally.

Published by: Sarah Horn
Ann Arbor 10/10/2009 12:38 PM EST

Rate: Regular

The amount of hypocrisy and discrimination in this article is absolutely appalling. These "special rights" you keep referring to are rights that EVERY American should have. You claim that "No American should be protected from violent crime than another," so why should heterosexuals be more protected than anyone in the LGBT community? I thought America was long past discrimination and taking rights away, but clearly not. Just so you know, the bill added adjustments so that religious speech would still be protected. So before you write a clearly biased and terrible report, at least get your facts straight. It is despicable how discriminating this article and the people quoted in it are. As for the military being a "political tool," welcome to politics. Almost EVERY bill is attached to another. This bill is a step towards promoting equality in America. So get on board.

Published by: truth13
Albany, NY, USA 10/10/2009 12:15 PM EST

Did anyone see the ABC news special on Prmie Time? The evidence shows that Matthew Shepard was most likely killed in a drug issue gone bad. Also Judy Shepard is a hyocrite. Her husband makes big bucks from the government of Saudi Arabia which tortures and beheads women who do nothing more than are in the presence of men not in their family. Judy Shepard is silent when it comes to big cash from hate crimes.

Published by: Cat
Germany 10/10/2009 08:22 AM EST

I will go to jail before I teach my kids homosexuality is okay.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com