Would Federal Hate Crimes Law Threaten Religious Freedom?

[LostInTime]

North Country Gazette
INSIDE THE FIRST AMENDMENT
By Charles C. Haynes
First Amendment Center

Nevertheless, Christian conservatives claim H.R. 1592 would weaken that protection by potentially criminalizing speech against homosexuality. They argue, for example, that the law could be used to prosecute a minister who preaches a strong sermon condemning homosexuality if someone in the pews goes out and commits a hate crime against homosexuals.

But unless the minister, in a manner likely to incite imminent lawless action, directs people to commit violence – speech that isn't protected by the First Amendment now – it's difficult to see how this law would restrict what is said from the pulpit, however strongly stated.

Moreover, the danger of hate-crimes laws to free expression isn't supported by our experience of living under such laws.

[cindianna_jones]

It's amazing the reasoning they have to dismiss us as human beings.  O'Reilly comes right out and says that we want laws that "humanize homosexuals".  Yeah... in his eyes, we ain't homosapiens.  They really must be terrified that we will strip them of every ounce of bigotry they carry.

Yup, we want the law so that we won't be MURDERED. They don't want the law because they fear that doing something otherwise despicable might land them in jail.  What do those scales show us, mother justice?

Cindi