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Christianity Today, July (Web-only), 2009 |

Christian Groups Eye Hate Crimes Bill

Leaders appear divided over whether the law would hinder their right to address homosexuality.

Paige Winfield in Washington, D.C | posted 7/16/2009 11:19AM

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"Practice is a very powerful argument that those concerns are either confused or overwrought," Lieberman said. "Some of these laws have been on the books for 20 years and there are zero cases like [pastors being prosecuted]."

Ever since the first hate crime law was passed in 1968, there have been fewer than 10 indictments related to the protected classes of race, color, religion, or national origin, Lieberman said.

Also, a section of the bill states that a person can only be prosecuted for causing bodily injury, not for inflicting emotional or psychological harm to the victim. Lieberman said that that clarification should put fears to rest in clergy and congregations that they could be prosecuted simply for expressing their religious beliefs.

Despite the vigorous opposition, the bill appears closer than ever before to becoming law. Legislators have repeatedly tried to add sexual orientation to the hate crimes list ever since Shepard's murder, and President Obama has said that he will sign the law if it is approved this time around.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous stories on hate crimes legislation include:

Hate Crimes Bill Dropped | Some religious conservatives had complained it threatened religious liberty and equality. (December 10, 2007)

House Adds Homosexuality to Hate-Crimes Protections | White House opposition fails to ease many Christians' worries. (May 4, 2007)

Christianity Today also follows political updates on the politics blog.

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July (Web-only) 2009, Vol. 53

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David Hardy

Posted: July 23, 2009 4:09 PM

mattg Posted: July 23, 2009 12:31 PM One big question is: Would the evangelical supporters of this bill support a similar bill protecting Christians from hate speech? Probably not. Similarily, would detractors of this bill support a bill protecting Christians from hate speech. Probably. Contradictions and double standards galore. ....... In your personally fabricated fantasy there are "Contradictions and double standards galore"..... The pesky thing is... Your personally fabricated fantasy... Is not actual reality.... .

mattg

Posted: July 23, 2009 12:31 PM


One big question is: Would the evangelical supporters of this bill support a similar bill protecting Christians from hate speech? Probably not. Similarily, would detractors of this bill support a bill protecting Christians from hate speech. Probably. Contradictions and double standards galore.

Truthmeister

Posted: July 22, 2009 5:10 PM

Christian Lawyer, you said I called you a "name." What was the "name" that I called you? I, along with some others, have rationally refuted your arguments and you get defensive about it, imagining that we've called you a "name." Face it, you are much more interested in trying to win an argument that illuminating facts. In prior posts I've seen you refer to those who disagree with you, in extremely arrogant prose, as "hopelessly ignorant." What might you think that says about you?

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