it's ok if they spy on my phone; I'm not doing anything wrong
it's ok if they censor radio; I don't listen to talk radio
it's ok if they spy on my computer; I'm not a terrorist
it's ok if ...
It Is Not Ok
To censor religion (believe in it or not) or anything, Is against our rights. Any church has it's core beliefs. If one doesn't like that church, go to another but church leaders must be able to say what they want before their congregation. Cheeese look at where the finisher went for years and didn't hear a word according to him.
People don't need big brother saying what we can hear or say.
Does this have anything to do with seperation of church and state?

Thank you GOD! please shut them up!

The opinions in the linked article are alarmist. Language in the bill allows for the expression of freedom of speech. So unless they're upset that they can't tell their parishioners to go out and hurt/harm/kill their homosexual neighbors, that there's no crime in bible discussion.

H.R.1592
Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007
SEC. 11. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Hate speech maybe to each a billion different points of view, everyone and anything can be bigoted, so therefore hate speech discriminates against very narrow kinds of speech and doesn't allow for equal rights for all speech.

maybe pastors should try telling xians how to be xians - instead of teling gays why they shouldnt be gay

The bill in question has absolutely nothing... I repeat the bill in question has absolutely nothing to do with religion... Christian or otherwise... the issue exists only in the mind of the writer of the article in question and in the poster of this thread.

One has to ask... just why is it that they feel threatened by a bill that's aim is to outlaw hate speech?

Perhaps they are like the un-reverend fred phelps who seems to equate Christianity with a rabid homophobia... and feel the need to express it.

... People who get hung up with other people's sexuality often have issues with theirs.

I have noticed that when someone objects to a religious group... often funnymentalists... expression of hatred and bigotry towards the different other... that they somehow try and turn the tables and claim that the ones objecting are the bigots for taking exception to their hate...

Sorry it doesn't work that way... hate is hate and it is never wrong to stand up to it no matter what garb it hides behind.

What goes on in the heart is far more important than what goes on in bed.



[edit on 6-4-2009 by grover]

I don't like many Christians and I have some gay friends. I am bent out of shape because I see our constitutional rights being chiseled away. Who decides what is hate speech? Where do you draw the line? Who decides where to draw the line? When does the assault on our rights stop?

You are probably tired of me going on about Japan, but... They can speak or print anything they want and it is still the 5th safest place to live in the world.

For those of you who will tell me to pack my bags and go to Japan. Already a step ahead of you. I am at best a tourist in my home country (U.S.) these days. A tourist that votes and pays taxes.

All this bill does is Promote CENSORSHIP.

I am Tired of the Constitution being trampled on!

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Clear as day. Cangress and some of the folks here need reading glasses, of coarse they know what the constitution says, they just want the world to conform to their beliefs only, punishing all others. Then they have the nerve to discuss the Bigotry of others.

about time this bill gets passed! we need less religion and more reality

Yes because your beliefs are the only valid ones, therefor all others MUST be censored, because obviously "nobody" would ever wan't to hear the views of others, just YOU.

[edit on 6-4-2009 by Mikeyy]

The funny thing is with issues of world control and dominance, that many Christians are saying the same things that non- Christians are saying, but with more humility at times.

Something like this Bill is directed at the moment to Christians, but if I said I wasn't a Christian and not connected to any church and said the same things, it would be acceptable? We will see!


By the way, love ya avatar as well Cindy , lol. It speaks a thousand words.

Now to those Christians trying to say this is horrible... This is ungodly... Remember remember! Your book says the following:

Romans Chapter 13:1-6 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

K sugarplums?

Not to be mean, but to believe that a gray area like hate crime "speech" and trying to criminalize or amend it, is totally absurd. You give an inch of thread to those in power and as we have all seen, they take it further. Also to believe you are securing freedom for those who are attacked, get real. Ben Franklin said it best....those who would give up essential liberty for "safety" ...deserve neither.

[edit on 6-4-2009 by antmax21]

Hear Hear, antmax. Give them an inch and they take 4. Where does it stop? We need to hold tightly to any freedom we still have and what better place to start? Banning hate speech is just a few steps away from banning speech against the government.