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"Hate Crimes" Laws: A Grave Threat to Your Religious Freedom

"Hate Crimes" Laws: A Grave Threat to Your Religious Freedom
What are "hate crimes" laws?         

            "Hate crimes" laws can be federal, state, or local legislation that mandates special penalties and legal attention to crimes committed against favored groups of people - if the motive for the crime is perceived to be bias toward someone because of his or her group status.

Can your speech be a "hate crime"?

          Yes!  In countries where "hate crimes" laws have been enacted, such as Canada and Sweden, Christians have been prosecuted for peacefully expressing their biblical opinion.  In the U.S. Code, a "crime of violence" is defined broadly enough to include speech.

  • Preaching that Christ is the only way to Heaven can be seen as "hate speech" against other religions.
  • Preaching that homosexuality is a sin could be seen as "hate speech" against homosexuals.
  • Your pastor's sermon could potentially be considered a "hate crime".
  • Your children will be indoctrinated and pressured to keep silent.
  • Christian broadcasting could be "tamed", as it is now in Canada.

What does the Bible say?

  • All violent crime is hate crime - there is no need for special laws:  "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts...murders, thefts..." (Mark 7:21-22 NKJV)
  • Government should show no partiality to favored groups:  "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality." (Deuteronomy 16:19 NKJV)
  • Laws should not favor or encourage sin.  Civil law is "for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good" (1 Peter 2:14 NKJV)

How can you help STOP "hate crimes" laws in America?

  • PRAY!  First Timothy 2:1-2 commands us to pray for rulers so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. 
  • TELL OTHERS.  Talk to your friends, Church members and Pastors about these facts and tell others to watch The Coral Ridge Hour, listen to Truths That Transform on the radio, or go to www.coralridge.org
  • VOICE YOUR OPINION.  Contact elected and appointed government officials.  Copy from this link and circulate this Fact Sheet.  Write letters to the editors of news papers.  Use the e-mail.  Call talk radio programs and give them the facts.

For more brief, eye-opening facts, visit the special web site:  www.DefendTheBible.org

 How have "hate crimes" laws been used against Christians?

IN THE UNITED STATES:

  • Philadelphia, PA - Eleven Christians arrested under a "hate crimes statute for peacefully proclaiming the Gospel outside a rally advocating homosexual behavior.
  • New York, NY - City officials take down a pastor's billboard with Bible verses on it, labeling it "hate crimes" rhetoric.

IN COUNTRIES SIMILAR TO THE U.S.:

  • British Columbia, Canada - A Christian city council member is severely fined and faces further court action for voicing his religious opinion that homosexual behavior is "not natural or normal".
  • Saskatchewan, Canada - A newspaper is fined for printing an ad that includes Bible verses about homosexuality.
  • Sweden - A pastor is arrested at his church after reading Bible verses about homosexuality.
  • Britain - An Anglican bishop is placed under criminal investigation for suggesting that homosexuals can change their orientation.
  • France - An 82 year old priest is convicted of a "hate crime" for criticizing radical Islam.  And, former actress Brigitte Bardot is fined for writing a book that criticizes homosexuality and Islam.