Thought Crimes Bill Could Be Included In Defense Package

By Richard Land - Dec 4, 2007 - 1

Congress might vote as soon as this week on legislation that would create special protections for homosexuals and could silence Christians from speaking out against the homosexual lifestyle.

Senate and House negotiators are hammering out differences on the Defense Authorization bill, and some lawmakers are trying to retain hate crimes legislation in the measure.

Hate crimes legislation would elevate certain individuals, in this case homosexuals, to a special class of citizens and mandate a separate federal criminal prosecution for state offenses for crimes motivated by an individual’s “actual or perceived” sexual orientation or gender identity.

While many proponents of hate crimes legislation argue that it would only be used to prosecute violent crimes against homosexuals, Christians and others who merely speak against the homosexual lifestyle could be targeted under such a federal law.

Better termed “thought crimes” legislation, it could result in law enforcement officials policing perceived thoughts that motivate violent actions against homosexuals, as well as speech that conveys a negative message about homosexual behavior, even if no violent action follows. A pastor, for example, could conceivably be prosecuted for inciting a hate crime if a congregant commits a crime against a homosexual and a court argues it was fueled by the pastor’s sermon against homosexuality based on his interpretation of Scripture.

If you are concerned that Christians’ biblically-informed speech against homosexuality could be targeted under a hate crimes law, please call or email your congressman and senators and urge them to vote “No” on the Defense Authorization bill if it includes a hate crimes amendment.

You can call your congressman and senators by dialing the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121. The operator will then connect you to the office of your choice. If you do not know who your congressman or senators are, or if you would prefer to use email, just click here, enter your zip code in the space provided, and email them the suggested letter or one entirely your own.

For more information on hate crimes legislation:

Click here to read “Hate Crimes, the Thought Police, and Religious Freedom”

Click here to read “Reasons to Oppose Hate Crimes Legislation for Homosexuals”

Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to voice your concerns on this crucial issue.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Faith, Ministry, Citizenship, Christian Citizenship, Legislation, National, Religious Liberty

1 comments (post your own) feed

1 On Dec 5th, 2007, at 11:47am, Dan Valdes wrote:

Richard Land states.....

“While many proponents of hate crimes legislation argue that it would only be used to prosecute violent crimes against homosexuals, Christians and others who merely speak against the homosexual lifestyle could be targeted under such a federal law.” ....

.... but he KNOWS this is not the case....the bill makes specific provisions and HE KNOWS and the SBC KNOWS it…

Richard Land is well read, articulate, educated, politically connected and informed about the scope, the language, the provisions and the exact nature of the bill…

so it leaves one to wonder...why would a man of such high moral caliber speak in this calculated misleading deceptive manner?  What does Richard Land have against gays?

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