Recently, the federal hate crimes bill passed in the House of Representatives by a voteof 249 to 175. But not everyone believes this piece oflegislation is a great idea. They are cautioning many supporters that such a lawis a two-edged sword and may have unintended consequences that includes misuseby overzealous and politically motivated prosecutors. During a discussion of HR 1913, the LocalLaw Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, opponents of the proposedlaw offered compelling arguments for scrapping the bill. For example, Federal Bureau ofInvestigation statistics contained in the bureau's annual
Uniform Crime Report showed that the number of so-called hate crimes has actuallydeclined over the last 10 years. Also, the last UCR released by theFBI revealed that of the approximately 17,000 homicides that occurred in theU.S., only 9 of the murders were determined to be motivated by bias.
Some of the provisions contained in HR 1913include:
· Federalizationof crimes that already are being effectively prosecuted by our States and localgovernments.
· The forcingof law enforcement officials and prosecutors to gather evidence of theoffender's thoughts and words, regardless of the criminality of his actions.
· Blurring theline between violent belief, which is constitutionally protected, and violentaction, which is not.
"This new law opens the door to suspects beingquestioned about their thoughts rather than their actions. Are we going to startinterrogating people about what they are or were thinking?" asks a New York Citydetective who opposes the law.
"We already have a hate crime law in our state PenalCode. What are the feds doing getting involved in state crimes?" said theveteran cop on condition of anonymity.
During a discussion of the new law, US CongressmanPaul Broun of Georgia voiced his opposition to HR 1913 and explained why hevoted against it.
“Regardless of its motivation, I believe that everyviolent crime is appalling. Furthermore, I believe that all people should beequally protected by law from violence, no matter who theyare," said Broun, who is also a licensedphysician.
“In addition to posing a litany of constitutionalproblems, today’s legislation alarmingly overturns the cornerstone of equalityin our justice system by placing a higher value on one life over another. In noway could I support a bill that more harshly punishes criminals who kill ahomosexual, transvestite or transsexual than criminals who kill a policeofficer, a member of the military, a child, or a senior citizen. I believe thatall victims should have equal worth in the eyes of the law," said Rep.Broun. “This unconstitutional hate crimes bill also raisesthe possibility that religious leaders or members of religious groups couldbecome the subject of a criminal investigation focusing on a suspect's religiousbeliefs, membership in religious organizations and any statements made by asuspect," said Congressman Paul Broun. "Religious leaders and others who express theirconstitutionally protected beliefs should not be silenced out of fear ofprosecution,” he said,
The US Senate has a similar version of the bill andwill no doubt vote soon on their own hate crimes legislation.
Romans 5 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Our Founding Father's of this beautiful nation were God-Fearing men. They wanted Separation of Church and State not because of what the newsmen and politicians tell you today, but because they did not what a Government to tell them how or how they could not worship God. If you have time to Google, then look back at what 52 of the 55 men who signed our Declaration of Independence had to say about their beliefs in Christ and the Word of God. We should strive as Legacy Dad's to pray for God-Fearing leaders and to be the hands and feet of Christ. Let us leave our biases and predjudices and insecurities at the foot of the Cross and step out in a leap of Faith and do what Christ calls us to do (Mathew 28).
(http://www.errantskeptics.org/FoundingFathers.htm#Samuel Adams).