Hate Crimes Legislation - Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:48 PM
Tuesday the Senate approved a hate crimes bill that goes beyond judging law breakers for the crimes they have committed to expanding the laws to include judging motives and preferences. This legislation could potentially remove some of our freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
For those of you who follow these sort of things you know its motivated by the homosexual community but it can also be used against racial, religious, and gender preferences. This gives special status to those who promote the homosexual agenda by giving them protection under law not so much for crimes committed against them but enabling them to silence those who dislike what they do by making it illegal to speak out against them. That may be considered a hate crime. Wouldn't it be great if Christians had such laws protecting them? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/chatter.gif" alt="" />
The hate crimes bill was sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR).
People who speak out about biblical truth in opposition to the homosexual lifestyle are now closer to being arrested. Biblical Truth is not something people should be arrested for. In other countries, pastors are being charged with hate crimes for teaching scripture, soon this may be happening here.
Wes
For those of you who follow these sort of things you know its motivated by the homosexual community but it can also be used against racial, religious, and gender preferences. This gives special status to those who promote the homosexual agenda by giving them protection under law not so much for crimes committed against them but enabling them to silence those who dislike what they do by making it illegal to speak out against them. That may be considered a hate crime. Wouldn't it be great if Christians had such laws protecting them? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/chatter.gif" alt="" />
The hate crimes bill was sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR).
People who speak out about biblical truth in opposition to the homosexual lifestyle are now closer to being arrested. Biblical Truth is not something people should be arrested for. In other countries, pastors are being charged with hate crimes for teaching scripture, soon this may be happening here.
Quote
Fiscal 2005 Defense Authorization - Hate Crimes
June 15, 2004 Senate Roll Call Vote 114 S 2400
Smith, R-Ore., amendment no. 3183 that would permit certain cases of hate crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin to be prosecuted in federal courts. It also would require the Justice Department to certify that hate was a motivating factor in the crime and that state or local law enforcement officials have been consulted and the state does not object to the federal government assuming jurisdiction. It also would authorize $5 million per year for fiscal 2005 and 2006 for the Justice Department to assist states and local authorities in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
Adopted by a vote of 65-33:
Republicans 18-33
Democrats 47-0
Independents 0-0
Senator John Kerry didn't vote.
June 15, 2004 Senate Roll Call Vote 114 S 2400
Smith, R-Ore., amendment no. 3183 that would permit certain cases of hate crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin to be prosecuted in federal courts. It also would require the Justice Department to certify that hate was a motivating factor in the crime and that state or local law enforcement officials have been consulted and the state does not object to the federal government assuming jurisdiction. It also would authorize $5 million per year for fiscal 2005 and 2006 for the Justice Department to assist states and local authorities in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
Adopted by a vote of 65-33:
Republicans 18-33
Democrats 47-0
Independents 0-0
Senator John Kerry didn't vote.
Wes