House passes 'thought crimes' bill 237 to 180

[Soldier4Christ]

House passes 'thought crimes' bill 237 to 180

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would punish offenders more severely if a criminal assault or murder could be proven to have been motivated by the attackers alleged hatred for the victim because of the victim's "sexual orientation," though that term is not defined in the legislation.

A news release from the Family Research Council (FRC) called the legislation "a direct violation of the 14th Amendment which affords equal protection under the law."

Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, top Republican on the Judiciary Committee agreed.

"Our criminal justice system has been built on the ideal of equal justice for all," Smith said. "Under this bill justice will no longer be equal, but [will] depend on the race, sex, sexual orientation, disability or status of the victim."

FRC says the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007," H.R. 1592, which passed by a vote of 237 to 180, would, "grant certain victims of crimes allegedly motivated by bias greater protection than other victims of violence.

"Criminalizing thoughts as well as actions, and creating special categories of victims is unconstitutional," said Tony Perkins, FRC president. "The actions of a majority of the House today undermine the promise of equal protection under the law guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

"This legislation creates second-class victims and a legal system of 'separate and unequal,'" he added.

The Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee defended the bill.

"It does not impinge on public speech or writing in any way," Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.)argued.

But Dr. James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, warned that the true intent of the bill was "to muzzle people of faith who dare to express their moral and biblical concerns about homosexuality." If you read the Bible in a certain way, he told his broadcast listeners, "you may be guilty of committing a 'thought crime.'"

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) explained his opposition to the bill in a news release issued just after the vote was taken.

"The law should not distinguish between victims or levy higher penalties based on a criminal's supposed motive," Wilson wrote. "Our legal system was founded on the principle that justice is blind. It is our duty to uphold this standard."

But the South Carolina Republican also echoed Dobson's concerns.

"[C]ertain provisions of this bill would inhibit the free practice of religion and compromise First Amendment rights," Wilson explained. "For these reasons, I could not support this legislation."

Twenty-five Republicans crossed party lines to support the bill. Fourteen Democrats did the same to oppose it.

The White House issued a "Statement of Administration Policy" shortly before the vote indicating that President Bush might veto the legislation, if it passes the Senate and is sent to his desk.

"The Administration favors strong criminal penalties for violent crime, including crime based on personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, or national origin," the statement said. "However, the Administration believes that H.R. 1592 is unnecessary and constitutionally questionable. If H.R. 1592 were presented to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill."

The statement goes on to explain that the acts covered by the legislation are already illegal under the laws of all 50 states and that states have had no difficulty prosecuting such crimes. In addition, the White House notes that many states impose penalties for these crimes that are more severe than those proposed in the bill.

[Soldier4Christ]

Black pastor says 'hate crimes' bill would silence Christian community

The Democrat-led House of Representatives has approved a measure that opponents say creates a new federal "thought crime" and threatens the free-speech rights of Christians who oppose sexual immorality. A coalition of African-American pastors says the bill threatens the religious liberty of Christians who oppose homosexuality on biblical grounds.



By a 57-vote margin, the House passed a bill sponsored by Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) that would include crimes against homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgenders in federal hate crimes statutes. The controversial bill would provide for additional sentencing penalties for crimes motivated by bias against a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Today before the vote, several pro-family groups and black pastors held a joint news conference on Capitol Hill to express their opposition to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (HR 1592). Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition said many of the bill's sponsors wrongly claim it is sympathetic to the needs of the black community and the historic civil rights movement. In actuality, he stated, the law will "muzzle the mouths and stop the voice of the black church, which has been the conscience of America and has been a saving instrument of God's grace for our community."

But the legislation, said Jackson, is "bigger than his concern about the gay movement." He asked those attending the news conference: "Do we want an America in which no one can express his true religious values?" -- then continued, saying: "Pro-abortion advocates say 'keep your hands off my reproductive organs.' Some gays chant 'stay out our bedrooms.' We as Christian ministers can say rightfully, 'stay out of our pulpits.'"

Jackson group has launched what he calls "a major campaign to protect the right of the Christian church to preach the gospel."

The bishop said when members of his Coalition recently met with Conyers to discuss HR 1592, he ignored their concerns. Later, Jackson notes, in a Rules Committee meeting, the Michigan lawmaker said he had talked with black clergy about the bill and they "were okay" with it.

[Faithin1]

God only knows what's next.  This country is becoming unrecognizable.  I guess soon they'll station armed agents in each church, or some sort of covert operation.