Photo via charismamag.com

Pro-family leaders: hate crimes bill threatens religious freedom

Pro-family groups warn that a hate crimes bill that goes before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday could silence Christian opposition to homosexuality and jeopardize religious freedom, reports Adrienne S. Gaines, Charisma News Online.

Introduced early this month, H.R. 1913, or the Local Law Enforcement and Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes under federal hate-crimes laws. Currently, race, religion, color and national origin are the only protected classes. The legislation would also allow the federal government to be more involved in investigating alleged hate crimes.

While condemning violence against homosexuals, Christian leaders said the bill would inhibit pastors from condemning homosexual behavior. They point to hate crime laws in Sweden, Canada and England, where Christians have been prosecuted for calling homosexuality sinful.

"The so-called hate crimes bill will be used to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, business owners, Bible teachers, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, Christian counselors, religious broadcasters and anyone else whose actions are based upon and reflect the truths found in the Bible," said Andrea Lafferty, executive director of the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC).

The House passed a similar bill in 2007, which was widely decried by Christian groups such as the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family Action. The bill did not receive enough support to go before the Senate, but hate crimes legislation later was attached to a Senate defense-spending bill. President George W. Bush, however, vetoed the legislation, saying the spending bill and the hate crime legislation were separate issues.

TVC is urging bill opponents to call their representatives, even if they are not on the House Judiciary Committee.

Democrats outnumber Republicans on the committee 23-16. In a statement released earlier this month, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), co-sponsor of the 2007 bill and an openly gay congressman, said he expected the bill to pass the committee this week and go before the House floor for a vote this spring. President Obama is expected to sign the bill if passed.

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

TAGS: USA pro-family leaders hate crimes bill religious freedom

[04/24/2009]

Print Version