Take Action

Vote on this Bill
	For
	Against
Speak Out
	Comment on this Bill
	Alert Your Friends and Colleagues
	Write Your Representative in Congress
Save & Share
	Add Bookmark
	del.icio.us
	Digg
	Facebook
	Google
	Reddit
	Yahoo!

Repent America

Repent America Denounces Proposed Federal Hate Crimes Bill

Contact: Michael Marcavage, director, Repent America, 1-800-3-REPENT, Ext. 5

PHILADELPHIA - Repent America (RA) has joined in the fight against the newly proposed hate crimes bill now before the U.S. House of Representatives, and is calling Christians to pray for this emergency situation and to voice opposition to their elected officials.

Earlier this month, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) introduced H.R. 254, which calls for the establishment of a new federal offense for so-called hate crimes. The bill is similar to hate crimes measures passed by the House in 2005 and the Senate in 2004, which would commission a separate federal criminal prosecution for state offenses tried under its provisions. If convicted, an offender could face life in prison.

"The proposed federal hate crimes bill is a dangerous threat to our civil liberties," stated Repent America director Michael Marcavage. "Having been charged under Pennsylvania's hate crimes law for declaring the truth about homosexuality, I can assure you that if this bill is passed and signed into law, it will be used to put Christians behind bars," Marcavage continued.

In October of 2004, eleven Christians with Repent America were arrested while ministering the Gospel on the public streets of Philadelphia at a publicly-funded celebration of homosexuality called "OutFest." After spending 21 hours in jail, District Attorney Lynne Abraham's office charged them under Pennsylvania's hate crimes law called "Ethnic Intimidation," along with a host of other felony and misdemeanor charges. These charges were later dismissed; however, if the Christians had been convicted, they would have faced up to 47 years in prison and $90,000 in fines each.

"H.R. 254 is nothing more than an attempt to provide federal prosecutors with the ammunition to police our thoughts, which will ultimately lead to the death of the First Amendment," Marcavage said. "This bill is unnecessary, unconstitutional, and simply un-American," he continued. "Christians must pray and respond to this emergency situation by urging their representatives to vote against this dangerous bill," Marcavage concluded.

Repent America is currently challenging the unconstitutional manner in which Pennsylvania's hate crimes law was passed. This case is expected to head to trial later this year.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.repentamerica.com

Ted Pike

In 2004, eleven Christians were arrested and jailed in Philadelphia for the “hate crime” of peaceful evangelism at a gay pride parade. For the full story, visit www.truthtellers.org

Hate Laws End Free Speech. In Canada, a Christian was fined $6,000 for printing 3 Bible verses against homosexuality. A newspaper was fined $6,000 for accepting his ad. A Christian printer was fined $5,000 for refusing to print stationery for homosexual activists. He was bankrupted after spending $175,000 contesting the charge. A Christian was fined $35,000 for distributing “hate literature”--tracts critical of homosexuality. Church school administrators were forced to hire a known homosexual, under threat of prison. A pastor was told it’s a “hate crime” to hand out gospel tracts, punishable by prison.

In Australia, two Christians were indicted for criticizing Islam, another for criticizing Zionism.
In Britain, two political activists were indicted, facing 7 years in prison, for describing Islam as a “wicked faith.” A filmmaker was threatened with arrest for using the term “homosexual” rather than “gay.” In Sweden, a pastor faced prison for reading from the pulpit Scriptures critical of homosexuality. In Holland, it’s now a “hate crime” to criticize fornicators and adulterers.
In Germany, a Catholic priest faces jail for the “hate crime” of publicly criticizing abortionists.
In Canada, Australia, and most of Europe, it’s now a “hate crime” to publicly criticize protected groups including homosexuals, Muslims, and Jews. Truth is not allowed as evidence in hate crimes trials. All that matters are the delicate feelings of members of federally protected groups. A homosexual can claim emotional damage from hearing Scripture that describes his lifestyle as an abomination. He can press charges against the pastor or broadcaster who merely reads the Bible in public. The “hater” can be fined thousands of dollars and even imprisoned!

Think this can’t happen in America?
Think again. The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, architect of “anti-hate” laws worldwide, will reintroduce its federal hate bill this winter. ADL says the purpose of the “Hate Crimes Prevention Act” is to end violent physical hate crimes.

That’s just what ADL told lawmakers in Canada, Britain, Sweden, etc. Soon after ADL’s hate bill was passed, it broadened through legal precedents to outlaw “verbal violence” against protected groups. Laws passed to end violent hate crimes soon criminalized free speech.

The problem is hate laws’ twisted definition of hate. ADL, which presently administers the US government’s hate crimes enforcement program, says “hate” equals bias against federally protected groups, particularly homosexuals. What document is most biased against homosexuality? The Holy Bible. All lovers of free speech are threatened, but Bible-believing Christians are the ultimate target of ADL’s distorted definitions of hate and hate crimes.

Supporters of “anti-hate” legislation claim there’s an epidemic of hate in America.

Yet the FBI’s 2005 Uniform Crime Report shows alleged hate crimes comprise a tiny 1/15 of 1% of all crime in America. This is hardly a crisis requiring a vast federal thought crimes bureaucracy with unlimited power to invade state law enforcement.

Also, at least 95% of so-called hate crimes reported to the FBI have never been tried in court. Most are nothing but police opinions about verbal “intimidation,” name calling, and petty assault and vandalism.

We don't need an "anti-hate" law; it will destroy our freedom! Visit www.truthtellers.org to learn more.

Harmony Grant

If a federal hate law were passed, free expression across the political spectrum would be threatened. What would happen to blasphemous art like Piss Christ or South Park, to Ann Coulter or Al Franken, to Christians protesting sodomy or homosexuals attacking the Bible? Every American, from left-leaning feminists to red state Republicans, should protest “anti-hate” legislation. If Rosie O’Donnell were an Icelander, she could have been prosecuted for verbal “assault” for her recent statement that radical Christianity is as dangerous as radical Islam. Political activists in nations with hate laws have already been indicted for criticizing Islam, Zionism, and homosexuality. Hate laws threaten your freedom to speak your mind, no matter what’s on it.

MSGT JOHN CORREA

Homosexuals are well known to engage in sexual filth which are totally abnormal. In fact, they can best be described as individuals with a "sexual physiological mental disorder" which can be treated through counciling. More importantly, in accordance with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, homosexuals have the propensity to generate, spread, and promote various diseases to others in America, as well as the rest of the human race throughout the world.

Furthermore, they are vehemently pushing for same-sex marriage, and /or civil union for the purpose of procuring medical coverages to pay for their self-inflicted sexual diseases.

If you don't believe what I am telling everyone,make your own inquiries through the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and learn that there is a comback of "syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. There is currently a decline in pregnacy amongst teenage girls in this country, and the reason for this trend is because they are engages in annuls sex. Now there is an increase in Chlamydia among these young girls-courtesy of homosexuals that have said, "its perfectly OK to experience annuls sex. Need I go further into the abnoral sexual aberrent behavior as practiced by homosexuals?

hetrosexual christian

if this bill passes i assume that a civil war/revolution will happen soon, very soon.
the beast is about to be unleashed in america and there will be a holy war in america. the spirit of anti-christ is become more and more powerful and if this bill passes, america will not be a democracy it will become a complete police state.
i pray god will not let this bill pass or anything like it pass. i feel no hate for homosexuals but they are for this bill then your are my moral enemy and i have no moral quams in saying they are satanic and should be be considered terrorists. our governement is a satanic crypocracy a i think out government is out to get us. the jews, homosexuals and others of the ADL are terrorists.

D. Wildman

Fast forward 100 years...2107...
Each generation changes our nation...the 1960's brought us what we have now. Will we be the North American Union? What kind of legacy are we creating for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren?

M Paul

Look at these comments! Seriously, what’s more apt to describe persons unable to see the personhood of others. “Homosexuals...engage in sexual filth.” “The jews, homosexuals and others of the ADL are terrorists.” ??? What?! Prime examples of blanket statements where every member of a group is the group and each and all represent something vile.

A hate crime is violence or incitement of violence that is directed at an entire community. It is when someone has attacked a person of Asian decent, for example, with the mentality that s/he is attacking all Asians or their idea of Asian-ness. I agree and disagree with the bill for various reason, but apparently the thought is in the right place considering what I am seeing posted here.

R Jones

@M Paul - one has to protect speech even if it is abhorrent. Who knows who posts these anonymous comments? Could be those that want this law to pass.

Let's be clear - this is an attempt to limit Free Speech.

Prosecute crimes - not 'hate crimes'. What's next? Thought Police?

Whatever happened to exposing and ridiculing haters? We don't need the gov't arresting Bible-thumpers or Neo-nazis - they take care of themselves in the Court of Public Opinion.

M Paul

I should clarify. The assumption is this bill limits free speech, or could someday. I thought the comments were ridiculous.
1) it has nothing to do with free speech
2)if it did it would clearly not be coming out of thin air.

Original bill found here http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t17t20+273+0++%2718%20USC%20Sec.%20245%27

Hate Crime Def. here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c103:628:./temp/~mdbsH2XHEq:e927518:

And, of course, read this current bill in its entirety.

The bill is very clear. Penalties ONLY apply for those who cause, or attempt, bodily injury. I find nothing that relates to speech at all! If you read the original bill, it clearly states its limited scope. Its used more in special cases b/c the states have their own laws and because federal jurisdiction doesn’t always apply. I really think people are making a fuss about nothing and in the process showing their real prejudices. Its a distraction from the real issues.

M Paul

Sorry, the Hate Crime definition link stopped working. Go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c103:h.r.3355.enr:

Click on the link for SEC. 280003

Darth Chaos

To the person who said that if this passes, there will be a revolution or a civil war...the globalists are counting on a violent uprising (whether authentic or government-staged) as an excuse to openly declare martial law...then you would see millions of Bible-believing Christians being put in FEMA-operated concentration camps just for being Bible-believing Christians.

M Padilla

If one reads closely the proposed language does adress physical acts of violence and bodily injury. If you read closely the acts of "persecution" were visited upon the groups above by state hate crime laws. That is where we must focus our attention in this matter. Free speach is being suppressed by the states.

KC

Yes it may refer to only acts of "bodily harm" however it gives too much power to federal judges to interpret exactly what that means. To a lot of them bodily harm includes emotional harm as well as physical. Parts (c1) and (2A) need to be reworded. As it is now any judge anywhere could interpret the last half of the sentence to imprison people for anything including what you say.

DaMama

This bill is abominable. It would put my husband, a pastor, in jail for teaching the Bible.

This is WRONG. We would become just like Canada, limiting free speech, which is guaranteed by our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Call your representatives and urge them to vote no on this resolution. It makes teaching the Bible a hate crime, and that goes against everything our country stands for and was built upon.

If this passes, the edicts of Nazi Germany are not far behind. Beware, people....this is a subtle but real attack on our personal beliefs and freedoms!

Joe

Bills like this are designed to slowly strip away our rights to be a Christian, all the while saying they are "protecting" certain groups. Why does it seem that the only group in this country NOT protected from hate speech is Christians?
All bible-believers know that this is only one step towards what was written two thousand years ago. There will be a day when Christianity will be outlawed, probably because it will be looked at as a religion full of hate and intolerance, and then as the world moves on and forgets about Christianity, well, bible readers know what happens next.
People look at a bill like this and say "but this doesn't mean anything. Christians can still practice their religion." But it's designed to SLOWLY fool America into accepting things we would have NEVER accepted in the past, one step at a time. Homosexuality is now being forced on us to accept, and Christianity is slowly being stripped away from us.
Very dark storm headed our way.

Ronn

Unlike hate crimes against race or color, homosexuality is a behavior that people choose. Why do other Americans have to accept this behavior that they choose to engage in?

@Joe

"Homosexuality is now being forced upon us to accept, and Christianity is slowly being stripped away from us."

The two are not mutually exclusive.

Joseph

My Christian brothers and sisters, Christ said that we should not be surprised when the world hates us, because they hated him. Why is it that such a miniscule part of our nation (homosexuals) have such a loud voice. Maybe they are not so miniscule after all. Anyhow, what did you expect, congress is back in the hands of the democrats, it won't get any better, there is very little morality with them.

Allen

Amen Joseph. I totally agree, when America started voting for what they thought were their pocketbooks instead of their hearts we started to see this. We have voted people in that want to push their own initiatives instead of doing the business of the majority of the people. I dont know a single person that feels homosexuality is ok and should be shown in public or on TV. I personally find it repulsive and do not want my children to see it. I do not wish to harm anyone but I will speak out against this and do feel that is my right to do so.

Pam Fraling

I am a Christian and believe the Bible when it says that it is a sin for a man to be with a man and vice versa. Having this bill introduced and passed into law would be a grave mistake and a mockery of God's Holy Word. I believe that the trouble we are having now is that we have gotten too far away from the Word of God and God is not pleased. God don't bless no mess. I implore you to do everything in your power to stop this piece of legislation from going forward.

Bill from LA

I am opposed to this bill because its got some basic errors which will lead to further misinterepretation.

Let me say that I am not for gay-bashing from the violence standpoint. However, the gays and lesbians pull no punches when it comes to saying what they think of folks that believe in the Bible. This is not ALL gays and lesbians but a majority of them hate church-goers. You dont hear me crying for more "rights" to be defended.

However, I sure dont like to share a bathroom with a guy that I know likes to look at men's private parts! And I am sure that the ladies feel that same way. Especially when you have to take your child into the public restroom with you. You cant even change a diaper now without wondering if some oddball is looking at your child. Its sick and disgusting all at the same time. These people dont need clinical help. They need to be saved! I was on my way to Hell when Jesus saved me. I admit that my lifestyle was wrong.

What next, unisex bathrooms?

J from Atl.

Write your Congressmen and pray, thats all we can do.

Steve

There is no reason for special laws for homosexuals. When Matthew Shepard got killed, which really wasn't even orientation related we found out later - besides the point - the offenders got life in prison or the death penalty. The system worked..you can't have different laws for different people, and judging the intent of a crime can be nearly impossible in many cases.

Paul

If anyone thinks that homosexualitiy is normal should read Romans Chaper 1 of the Bible and what it says about homosexuality. I was one of those people but you know I felt that all thru my life that it was wrong, which it is. I am happy to say that I am now a born again Christian and do not practice homosexuality. People may feel that I am a self reformed individual but I am not Gods strength and His word helped me to overcome this terrible sin and changed my life if we only believe and trust in Him for our salvation. I pray for our nation that it will turn back to God and raise up godly leaders. I am not being self righteous I am only a sinner saved by His grace and His word has changed my life. If anyone wants to through me in jail for my convictions let them do it. I would be happy to do it if will glorify God. One last comment, does everyone out there truly believe the homosexuality is right?? Let's come back to our senses.

Ryan

If God could read this forum, he would wonder what happened to his flock. Because from reading most of your words, you have transformed from sheep into wolves. I doubt he approves.

And yes that is aimed squarely at you... yes, you... the wanna be fascist extreme right wing "family values" Bible Thumper. And by family values of course you mean your family, and nobody elses.

And to the guy worried about sharing a bathroom with someone of differing sexual orientation. Most likely that person would just take care of business and leave. I bet you'd be the one all sweating and tittering, and you are probably the one that would fantasize about it privately later, because we all know homosexuality has a HUGE hold on the extreme right.

Your indignation is transparent. Face it, you are gay. But that's fine with me, I hope they pass this legislation so that when you do come out, you will have federal protections.

Paul

His flock is still here. We believe that God's word is true to honored and revered and as Christians we are to submit to His will and not mans. I would be happy to talk about a homosexual who seriously wants to repent of his sin and lead him to Christ. There is not a greater joy on earth than leading someone to Christ. God's word is powerful and mighty and it can change anyone and deliver them from their sin. For the person who feels that the person is still in closet you are badly mistaken. I was out of the closet for over 40 plus years and since I have been saved I would never go back to that lifestyle. It doesn't mean that I still don't struggle with it but my faith and working of Holy Spirit within me He gives me victory over the son. I pray for my former homosexual friends. HOMOSEXUALS DO NOT DESERVE ANY SPECIAL RIGHTS AND I BELIEVE GOD WILL DEFEAT THIS BILL.

Jonathan

I've read the proposed bill. People are overreacting a little here. As previously pointed out, this bill has nothing to do with speech. Although an oddball judge may have liberally construed the phrase "bodily harm", this law would unquestionably be stuck down as applied if it were used to prosecute a preacher for simply preaching against homosexuality.

Congress can NOT, through acts of its own, strip away Constitutionally guaranteed rights. (It can, however, bank on a Supreme Court that is willing to reinterpret what rights the Constitution contains, but that's a whole different can of rotten worms.)

However, under current S. Ct. rulings, I do not believe that any reasonable court can construe "bodily harm" - at least as it is used in this bill - to cover simply preaching that homosexual acts are sinful.

And yes - I am a lawyer.

Marshall Lentini

No matter what it says exactly, it must of course be viewed as a "gateway" bill. The mere fact of a "hate crimes prevention act" on the books will empower every leftist crusader and jew in the country already eager to cut out our tongues to enact whatever legislation they please and push for more extensive "interpretation" of "hate crime".

Vanguard News Network was taken offline not by its ISP, but by the PHONE company which carried it, all because A CANADIAN NATIONAL made a complaint about something they alleged was said on VNN Radio. Presto! Offline. Freedom of speech?

The First Amendment is dead. We have become a nation of vassals. It is time for every self-respecting white man, Christian or not, to get ready to defend himself against his government and those who follow it. And not only defend...

Joe

Jonathan- While this bill in its current form may not limit free speech, you said yourself that it could be "construed" differently. We Christians know that this bill is one of many stepping stones towards the outlawing of Christianity. Look at our pop culture today. Christians are constantly berated and made fun of on television and movies. It will only get worse.
Ryan- what you don't realize is that you are confirming what we Christians already know...that we will become hated in the end. You are an example. Thank you for proving what we've heard all along. P.S.- You won't get Christians to accept homosexuals by calling us homosexual. But nice intimidation tactic.

John Bryans Fontaine

As a Liberal, I strongly oppose many of Ted Pike's and many of the other's views. However, I agree with what Pike has to say about H.R. 254. This bill is a major
threat to Free Speech. Will PFAW help stop it??

"In order to evade the Constitution's clear limitations on federal intervention in law enforcement, HR 254 alleges that hate crimes are actually...slavery! "Violence motivated by bias is a relic of slavery that can constitute badges and incidents of slavery." (Sec. 2, 8) "

http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/hate_crimes_legislation_back.html

http://www.rense.com/general75/whoswarn.htm

I am really disgusted that more Liberals aren't defending Free Speech and opposing HR 254. Hopefully, that will change.