A bill in Congress makes it a crime for pastors

[Openly Curious]

Here is the text of the Bill.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-1105

It is addressing violent crimes..not speech.

We already have laws on the books against violent crimes, we just need to enforce them.[/:b]

Here is what the Bill says in regards to religion and sevual orientation...

`(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--

`(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(I) death results from the offense; or

`(II) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill

So basically, it is just another hate crimes piece of legislation. I agree with you that we need to enforce current laws, and that there is no need for this bill. I am opposed to hate crimes laws because they make a crime a more or less serious offense based on motive. It becomes worse to kidnap and harm a person because they are a homosexual than to kidnap and harm a person because one is seeking ransom. The law is the law and it should be enforce even handedly. I appreciate you explaining what it is really about, and though it is not as bad as was first indicated, I still oppose it.

Thanks Butero,

I been struggling with understanding this bill and what you've said here has added another piece that brings it together in another light. I agree with you about the law should be enforced even handedly across the board for everyone. The homosexual community should not get special protection from the law above everyone else that is being bias and plain out wrong.

OC

for Fred Thompson in 2008

[MeCajunboy]

i apologize if this has been posted before, but I find it simply incredible that this country has even come to the point someting like this would even be considered...

Message to pastors and other Christians: Just keep your mouth shut:

If pastors and other Christians don

[forrestkc]

I think the Bill would be unconstitutional if passed because it would violate the 14th Amendment's "Equal protection under the law" clause.

The Bill is basically saying that there should be more severe penalties for committing crimes against some people than there are for committing the same crime against others.

We have done this since our nations inception.

Take this scenario for example:

A guy walks in on his wife with another man, he then retrieves his gun and kills the man she was in bed with.

Compare that to:

A guy kills a random individual for no apparent reason.

The guy who kills his wife's lover would almost certainly get a lesser sentence than the guy who just killed a random individual. We look at the motive for a crime to determine its severity all the time.

[forrestkc]

Do you guys realize that the ACLU would be the first to defend you if the government tried to prosecute you simply for speaking out against homosexuality. Such a law will never be on the books. Do you guys honestly think that in a nation where one can put on a nazi uniform or a white hood and hold a massive rally where they hurl insults at Blacks, Jews, and Catholics, would ban speaking out against homosexuality. Liberals and Libertarians are huge defenders of freedom of expression, its never going to happen. This is nothing but fear-mongering on the part of some groups on the religious right.

[Guest]

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Do you guys realize that the ACLU would be the first to defend you if the government tried to prosecute you simply for speaking out against homosexuality

Yes!

They Always Do!

Dear Brother Forrest

The Only Issue Is "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified"

Whether or not we go to jail or to prison or to death, the only issue is "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified"

Even The Angels Look.......

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:12-13

We can only pray to rejoice through our earthly trials.......

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:6-7

Knowing He Is With Us.......

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 43:2

Dear Lord, Keep Me Faithful - Make Me Just - Give Me A Heart After Your Heart.......

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 16:10

Be Blessed Dear Brother, Beloved Of The KING

Love, Your Brother Joe

[Pizzaguy]

If pastors and other Christians don