Jailhouse Stripes for Thoughts?

Marnie · June 7, 2007

For those who commit physical crimes against others based on race, religion, or sexual orientation I have no sympathy. But the notion that government can punish thoughts and opinions, even offensive ones, is frightening.

A bill making it illegal for people of various faiths to freely hold and profess their respective religion's teaching on sexual morality is working its way through Congress. Regardless of your politics, every American who cares about free speech and religious liberty should tell their U.S. senators to oppose this legislation. This bill has already passed the House of Representatives on a largely party-line vote with a Democrat majority. It is now pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is expected to be voted on by the entire Senate in a month.

This bill would criminalize beliefs. If signed into law, H.R. 1592 would create a new class of crimes.

Called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, this bill would pour federal resources into prosecutions based on suspicions about a person's thoughts and beliefs, not just his alleged criminal act(s).

While criminal law treats all violent acts equally, the proposed law would additionally punish the accused for any prejudice they might have toward the victim. Instead of ending discrimination, this bill would create a judicial caste system in American society by creating categories where some victims are given more consideration and attention than others. This is a direct affront to the equal protection provision of the U.S. Constitution.

As a former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission, and a person who grew up fighting racism, I oppose the idea of thought crimes. In America, our Constitution guarantees everyone the freedom to think and believe whatever he or she wants, no matter how repulsive those beliefs are to others. And, our Declaration of Independence champions the dignity and worth of every individual.

Our system of laws requires evidence and varying levels of proof for different offenses. We lock people up for criminal acts. That penalty is already established in law. This bill would allow government to further punish them for their alleged beliefs.

As a country, do we want to be in the business of "proving" what someone thinks or denying them freedom of conscience? Do we want to rip the heart out of the First Amendment of our Constitution? Do we want to deconstruct our public square where progress has been advanced by a dialogue between faith and reason? Do we really want to embolden a 21st century secular fundamentalism by forcing religious expression from the public square?

The answer to these questions is a simple and emphatic no! What is driving the controversy associated with this bill ultimately comes down to one issue: Can the government punish a person for a "thought crime" whose religious faith includes the belief that homosexual behavior is immoral, and same sex marriage is morally objectionable?

While some modern liberal denominations and other faiths refuse to criticize homosexual sex and embrace same sex marriage, it is an historical fact that moral evaluations of these acts have been part of the Judeo-Christian belief system for four thousand years.

And, millions of Americans oppose these acts because they believe the historic teachings of their respective religions on this matter.

You are free to disagree, but they are free to believe.

No rational person argues against the proposition that all American citizens should be afforded full rights and protections under the law and Constitution. The present debate surrounding this bill is derived from the fight to preserve the most fundamental institution necessary for the continuation of any human civilization - the family.

Isn't it classic community doublespeak when a society that has decriminalized homosexuality is now contemplating criminalizing opposition thoughts?

The question we face is if the federal government should have the power to lock people away for beliefs flowing from their religion. Think it can't happen?

In Sweden, a pastor was imprisoned for 30 days for simply expressing his faith's view of homosexuality in a sermon. In Canada, Christian leaders received a hefty fine for expressing the same view over the radio. And right here in America, in Philadelphia eleven people were arrested and prosecuted for sharing the Christian gospel at a homosexual rally.

No violence was committed in any of these situations.

They were simply punished for expressing their faith.

President Bush has said he will veto this bill if it passes the Senate. Regardless of what you think about homosexuality, you should support stopping this bill.

We punish people for their wrong acts, not for what some consider their wrong thoughts. America has a rich heritage of religious liberty and free speech. Let's keep it this way.

Townhall.com

H.R. 1592 2007 Text

kittylover0991 · June 7, 2007

Oh Marnie, this is horrible....

I remember a pastor saying that it isn't "this generation (today's teenagers) that will be facing persecution, it will be this generation's children". I say it's horrible not becuase we may once again have to stand up for hte gospel's sake, of which we've never really faced the same opposition as say Peter or Paul, or the many other Christian martyrs of that time, but there is a day coming where Christians will loose their lives here in America. It's a sad day when America stands that you can be arrested for "thoughts"... it reminds me so heavily of the Salem witch trials where so many Christians died becuase they were accused of being witches, and put against false charges. Now, in this case, it may as well be false charges, but I think that Christians may be tried, and fairly justifed, that they spoke out against homosexuality. What a sad day, a day of rejoicing, and a day of heartache that would be.... Lord Jesus, please come back soon....

I've dealt with things already because of standing up for what is right and I can't imagine what will happen now to folks that stand up for the gospel. Actually, hey, maybe people in prison will get saved! Just a thought, but remeber when Paul was in prision, there was an earthquake and they were able to lead the prision gaurd to the Lord??? Maybe this will open up new ministries! Maybe more will accept Christ because of this.... becuase of the persecution but we shoudl count a joy to suffer for the gospel's sake. It is sad that America is coming to this...I still take pride in this country, but we really need to be praying for America's leaders, for the people, and for pastors and their congregations....

I can only pray that if this IS passed (which I pray it's not) and Bush veto's it... that it isn't over thrown by Congress, which is something that has been set up by checks and balances. May God's will be done, but what a sad day for a America... "land of the free".

ladypeartree · June 7, 2007

A sad day indeed and not just for America because where your country leads so many others will follow either in "support" or because they are afraid of being thought intollerant

Leonard · June 7, 2007

This is what happen when satanically deceived people vote for liberals.

rtwo · June 7, 2007

Good thread, Marnie. I blogged on exactly this topic last week after somebody posted this issue in the News section here.

I agree.

RedeemedByHim · June 7, 2007

This makes me so mad because homosexuality is Wrong....true we should still love the person and I am against hate crimes. But by refusing to let a homosexual work in leadership in your church or saying from pulpit it is wrong should be kept legal...I am beginning to really hate America for what it has become. I think our founding fathers would be flipping over in their grave if they saw it today. Jesus Come Soon!!!

rtwo · June 7, 2007

To pull ideas off another thread: this is what happens when you allow the legislation of morality. Morals can become twisted. Now homosexuality isn't considered to be socially immoral -- the rejection of it is. But since we as a society have determined that it's okay for the government to act as moral agent, society just sits idly by and applauds as its freedoms are being sucked away...

LynD · June 7, 2007

If this passes, and I pray is doesn't, I wonder how many people will end up in jail for crimes against christians, compared to christians who end up in jail for thier beliefs....bet there's going to be a big difference.

RedeemedByHim · June 7, 2007

If this passes, and I pray is doesn't, I wonder how many people will end up in jail for crimes against christians, compared to christians who end up in jail for thier beliefs....bet there's going to be a big difference.

well, I will be one that will probably not comply with it...i won't publicly go around saying it is wrong...but if someone asks me, I will have to tell the Truth...