Christians claim hate crimes law an effort to 'eradicate' their beliefs

By Stephen C. Webster
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 -- 2:15 pm

http://rawstory.com/2010/02/christians-claim-hate-crimes-law-effort-eradicate-beliefs/

A Christian group in Michigan has filed a lawsuit alleging that a package of hate crimes laws named after murder victim Matthew Shepard is an affront to their religious freedom.

Far from the intended purpose of severely punishing criminals who commit unspeakable acts against a persecuted minority group, the religious activists claim the laws are a guarded effort to "eradicate" their beliefs.

I am a Christian who happens to be transgender. I really don't see how beliefs would be eradicated. Many would be surprised that the institutional church was one of the mechanism to discriminate against LGBT people. I would be disappointed if anyone tried to stop anyone from professing their faith.   However, no one has the right to discriminate against anyone. That is un Christ like.

Gennee

I am also a completely committed Christian.

I really don't know what these people are trying to do, but whatever it is, it isn't following the teachings of Jesus.

Quote"The sole purpose of this law is to criminalize the Bible and use the threat of federal prosecutions and long jail sentences to silence Christians from expressing their Biblically-based religious belief that homosexual conduct is a sin."

Jesus made it quite clear that none of us has any right to judge each other.

This actually is a win-win for the bible thumping christian taliban.

First they get a lot of distance simply on filing the suit in the first place.  Lots of noise, lots of smoke.

Then when their suit is thrown out as frivolous because their claims are specifically addressed by the law itself, they can claim that they are being oppressed by the very law they are trying to repeal.  And that the start of religious oppression is at hand!  It is perfect.

They cannot and will not be satisfied by any rational argument.  Their only goal is to have a "Final Solution" for the LGBT community that is similar, if not identical to the one that was used by Germany in the last century.  Though I wonder who they will demonize once they kill off everyone in the LGBT community.

I dare say that they would attempt to execute Jesus himself were he to return and say anything that didn't fulfill their idea of scripture and prophesy.

-Sandy

As a Christian, I have to say that this is pure unadulterated horse hockey.  I just love it when articles make it sound as if all Christians think this way.  We don't!

Kristi

Quote from: Sandy on February 08, 2010, 10:07:31 PM
First they get a lot of distance simply on filing the suit in the first place.  Lots of noise, lots of smoke.

Then when their suit is thrown out as frivolous because their claims are specifically addressed by the law itself, they can claim that they are being oppressed by the very law they are trying to repeal.  And that the start of religious oppression is at hand!  It is perfect.

Yes, this lawsuit smells a lot like a fund raising tactic. If you read the lawsuit, it is primarily standard Religious Right talking points.  There is very little legal substance in it, and no evidence to support their claim that the Hate Crimes Prevention Act has been or will be interpreted in a way that would violate freedom of speech.   And some of the arguments are broader, suggesting that all hate crime protections should be eliminated (not just regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.)

I think the lawsuit is for public consumption, rather than legal consideration.