Sometime next week, the US House of Representatives could be voted on a bill that could have a huge effect on Christians and other faith based groups.The Bible clearly calls homosexuality an abomination to the Lord. (Leviticus 18:22) If a law likes this passes, it could very well mean that our liberty to preach what we believe we be a crime. I firmly believe that it is high time that Christians take a stand against bills like this. People with an non-biblical agenda continue everyday to take down Christianity and we, pastors, must stand in the gap and encourage our people to do the same.
Here is a portion of an email that I received from American Family Association about H.R. 1592. This will help clarify what could happen with a bill like this in place.
"And not only does H.R. 1592 violate the concept of equal protection under the law by granting more government protection to certain classes of people, it is a clear overreach of federal power – allowing the federal government to intervene in local and state affairs.
But even more chilling is the fact that H.R. 1592 paves the way to religious persecution – with “hate crimes” laws inevitably leading to “hate speech” laws targeted specifically at Christians and other faith groups who hold traditional beliefs on homosexuality.
Already this has happened in Canada, Sweden, Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, England, and New Zealand. Even here in the United States in Philadelphia, Christians have been arrested and jailed under a state “hate crimes” law.
Let’s face it: homosexual and transgender activists know full well that the church is one of last bastions in Western culture that has yet to cave in to the demands of a radical agenda that seeks to redefine fundamental concepts such as marriage, family and gender."
Scary, isn't it? I cannot imagine being told what I can or cannot teach a congregation or my youth group. For what it is worth, you would do well to sign up with American Family Association as they can keep you well informed of bills like this one.
Other Christian news agencies have also picked up on this. Crosswalk News has written an article about it and I've included a portion of it below.
"(CNSNews.com) - The House Judiciary Committee passed a "hate crimes" bill Wednesday night, all 23 Democrats in favor, all 17 Republicans opposed. Every Republican attempt to amend the bill was defeated. Critics call it a "thought crimes" bill.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) would expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include violence against a person because of his or her "actual or perceived" sexual orientation or "gender identity."
Under the bill, people who attack others out of "hatred" for their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability would be committing a federal offense."
The bottom line is will you help and take a stand or will you stand aside and let the enemy take over? Call your House of Representative today and let them know how you feel about this bill!
3 comments:
Is your comment section moderated? I keep trying to post a response, but it won't post.
Just a suggestion, but don't you think that the Christian community would do better to just stand firm on the idea that preferential prosecutory treatment is being offered to a certain group of individuals? What about hate crimes against children, or hate crimes against someone for their religious beliefs, etc?
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Christian and I'm totally against this piece of legislation, but don't you think that concentrating on the fear of us not being able to preach that homosexuality is wrong is allowing the left a window of opportunity to say, "See! They hate us!"
We shouldn't be concentrating on the relgious aspect of this Act, we should be concentrating on the philosophy that all Americans deserve equal protection under the law, regardless of their status.
Just an observation. Thanks for your article.
The prevailing "Christian" response to H.R. 1592 is not truthful, being based on the protection of strategic political positions and not on what is good and right.
No honest, Bible believing Christian who is devoted to the truth will ever find themselves on the wrong side of this law should it become one, because no such Christian will commit the violent crime which must first be committed to make this law applicable.
Regarding claims that this law will prosecute thought crimes: The difference between cold-blooded, premeditated murder and murder as a crime of passion are often no different except in the thoughts that are involved.
Where is equal protection compromised in the phrase "sexual orientation"? It refers to homosexual, bi-sexual, a-sexual and heterosexual equally. The law does provide equal protection. The only difference is that it is much more likely that a homosexual will be targeted by violent crime because they are homosexual, than a heterosexual being a target because they are heterosexual. The same reasoning would claim that we should not protect black people from lynching because white people are so rarely lynched.
To speak of this law "opening doors" for bad law is wrong. As Christians, we know the path is narrow. The slippery slope is not to one side of us. It is on both sides. We should not oppose what is good because we fear the wicked will turn it to evil. The wicked will always try to pervert what is good. As long as we strive to find the best strategic or tactical position to protect the Truth, instead of standing on Truth itself, our position will be vulnerable and we will eventually loose.
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