Conservative Black Pastors Fight Bill on Hate Crimes

by Hamil R. Harris, Washington Post: A coalition of conservative African American pastors is lobbying Congress to vote against a bill that would extend federal hate-crimes laws to cover gays, saying they fear it would prevent them from preaching against homosexuality. Several pastors last week urged House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), a sponsor of the bill, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the proposed Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

They say it would pin the hate crime label on their sermons against homosexuality, which they consider a sin. "This bill will offer a status for gays, lesbians and transgender people under the equal protection status that can muzzle the black church," said Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., pastor of Hope Christian Church in Lanham and founder of the High Impact Leader Coalition. "This law can be applied in the way that can keep the church from preaching the Gospel." . . . Among the groups opposing the bill are the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Family Research Council and Exodus International, a coalition of formerly gay Christians. The Unitarian Universalist Association, Integrity USA and the NAACP support the bill. . . . [Read More]

Todays Comments by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council: This week the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. This legislation seeks to federalize certain violent crimes - but only if you qualify for one of the categories they have created. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that every U.S. citizen should be granted equal protection under the law. H.R. 1592 establishes a system where victims would be treated differently based on the "actual or perceived" class or group with which they identify. Merriam-Webster defines a caste system as "a system of rigid social stratification," whereas some are given privileges and priority over others. The very concept of a caste system in the United States should be loathsome; however that is what this bill seeks to create. Under this legislation if a man who defines himself as bisexual is attacked it will automatically be assumed the local authorities are inadequate and he will have access to millions of federal dollars to help in the investigation. In contrast, if a member of the military or a pregnant woman is attacked they have no federal outlet to turn to. I wholeheartedly condemn violence against anyone, but if all Americans are to be treated equally this caste system cannot be allowed to become law.

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Tags: FRC, freedom of speech, Hate Crime Bill, religous freedom, Tony Perkins