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Originally posted by LibertyLover
reply to post by Violater1
Of course it was a hate crime. Fundy Christians hate other religious groups, especially any that don't bow down to their particular version of God. They get particularly exercised about Pagans of any stripe. They really don't believe in freedom of religion or that people should be allowed to worship, or not, as they like. Leaving a cross within the stone cirlce intended for pagan worshippers was a deliberate action and intended to cause offense and disquiet to the pagan community at the Air Force Academy. That's a hate crime. If the persons who carried out this act are cadets and/or Air Force personnel, they should be subject to whatever punishment is meted out to service members who transgress the honor code. If that is a court marshal offense, then ok. If the people were civilians in the employ of the Air Force or civilians from the community, then they should be prosecuted at the federal level for a hate crime. I'm unpersuaded that it might be a witnessing attempt. Pagans know about Christianity for goodness sake and aren't interested in it.
Originally posted by December_Rain
- Whoever placed the cross at Pagan's site should be charged under hate crime.
- ...intentionally should be considered a hate crime if not already.
- No one should be immune to law and everyone should be treated equally under the law.
Originally posted by December_Rain
No I did not contradict anything. No one should be immune to due process of law and treated equally under it. If hate crimes law is there and a Christian commits a act of hate crime he/she should be prosecuted same goes for Pagan, Islam, Judiasm, Athetist etc. Being part of a particular sect. or religion does not mean one can be above law.
I do not agree with people who are saying it's just a stick or wood or probably a prank. It's clearly a hate crime.
Originally posted by Klavier
It's stupid to argue if this was a hate crime or not. Every crime that hurts another person is a "hate crime". It has nothing to with skin colour, nationality, religious beliefs or anything else. Every Crime is a Hatecrime. Period.
Originally posted by autowrench
I do not agree with the hate crime laws, per se, but if we must have such a law, then it should apply to all, that is how a Republic works. Actually, the cross was a Pagan symbol way before Christians took it for themselves, so in a metaphorical way, were they not bringing the two together? What matters religion anyway, and why do religious people try to force their way on others? Some would say if Jesus were alive today, he would be a Wiccan, after all, he turned water to wine, raised the dead, walked on water, created food my magick.....He also dressed in robes and wore sandals, quite Hippy like, if you ask me. He wouldn't be caught dead in the suit most Christians wear. And BTW, he never promised to come and save anyone either. And he never once said he was God. Jesus would be quite welcome in my circle.
Originally posted by KyoZero
reply to post by sr_robert1
Interesting point you bring up...so let me throw this out
You do make a fine point that perhaps the Pagans di something first. We may never know...but my question is aren't Christians supposed to forgive and forget instead of exacting revenge on their own?
Now before you get upset I feel the same about the Pagans. I pray none of them take revenge
-Kyo
Originally posted by KrazyJethro
Originally posted by muzzleflash
There is NO SUCH THING as a "Hate Crime"!!!
I have to agree. Considering the premise behind "hate crimes" is foolish and at odds with equal protection, this can not be a "hate crime".
Originally posted by Crito
I agree too, but until the fools who make foolish laws are subjected to their own foolishness, these laws will remain on the books. So I say prosecute to the fullest extent of the legal injustice system!
We should also use hate crime laws against those who defame Islam and Muslims, particularly dual-citizen anti-Arab racists who live in segregated communities in Israel part of the year. Arrest and jail them as soon as they get off the airplane here in the USA. Zero tolerance for anti-Arabism and Palestinian apartheid!
Originally posted by TheWalkingFox
I suggest you look up what makes a hate crime different from a "regular" crime. It may surprise you, but there IS an actual, technical, and useful difference.
lemme put it this way... If i beat up Abe Braunsteen because he talked about my mom, then my problem is with Abe Braunsteen, I'm not going to be attacking someone else, and i'm guilty of assault and battery.
if I beat up Abe Braunsteen because he's a jew, however, then my problem is with him, his family, his neighbors, and any other jews, who are all equally likely to be targets of my assault. The danger I present to a community rather than an individual is why I would be presented with hate crime charges on top of the assault and battery charges.
Your example is not a point, as there are infinite reasons for crime and as many reasons for the crime to be perpetuated that do not include "hate crime" criteria.