Ryan, I do indeed read that. However, I am not stating that the persecution of Christians would begin with the passage of this bill. However, I am very concerned that a series of laws have been, are being, and will be passed that will create a framework that will create a framework for persecuting religious organizations that preach the Bible, which speaks very clearly on the topic of homosexuals and the Jews.

It is not hate to speak the truth: that the Jews crucified Christ, and that homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

please clarify what you just said. If I understand you correctly, you believe it is wrong for Christians to preach the Bible if it says, "Homosexuality is a sin." Am I right?

"The problem with this bill is that a state-mandated framework for eventually persecuting Christians is being silently put in place. If you do not begin to actively stand up now, your pastor, who recites the Holy Bible, and you, who listens to it and believes in it, will possibly end up in jail for inciting "hate".

Notice the abstract nature of this word - "hate". Sounds like someone really hates Christians - with real hate - and wants us persecuted, just like during the times of the Soviet Union or the ten persecutions of the Roman Empire.

Wake up now!!!"

Please, do not delete this comment. It was in 1st place on this site. If this bill passes, all that remains is to insert a clause that criminalizes "incitement of hate".

Then, the New Testament can be declared "hate literature", and pastors and God-fearing Christians sent to the gulags.

I really wish people would sit down, slow down and read this bill with out listening to someone spewing hate and dis-information. I've heard so much BS about what this bill will do and the only thing it appears to be doing it providing the states with additional funds.

It neither curtails the Freedom of Speach or Relgious observace. You can still be a hater and burn your crosses if this bill passes. And if you are a 'Christian' then you aren't hating or hurting anyone to get in trouble over.

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909) is supported by a wide range of Christian churches and other interfaith partners. The purpose of this bill is to help prevent hate crimes, one sixth of which are committed because of the victim's sexual orientation. These crimes are on the rise, and are intended to create an atmosphere of fear and terrorize entire communities. Sexual orientation is already defined by federal law and does not include any of the criminal acts that right-wing groups are claiming it does. Additionally, no church will be hushed or persecuted in any way because of this bill. If you don't believe me, review our list of coalition partners. You might even find you church on the list!
http://www.hrc.org/sites/hatecrimes/coalition.asp

Please identify in the bill the line that suggests that "free speech of those who preach the Bible" will be limited.

AntonGolovin, please read number 3 and 4 of section 10 of the bill.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.909:

3) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.

(4) FREE EXPRESSION- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual's expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual's membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs.

Are we reading the same bill? Did the other commenters actually read it? Section 10 of this bill addresses, explicitly, the intent to preserve free speech. And the main thrust of this bill is to expand existing hate crimes classification to include sexual orientation and gender identity while providing grant assistance in prosecuting all hate crimes. Unless you are planning or inciting violent crimes against someone based on the qualifying criteria, you should be able to retain your liberties.

Perhaps someone could explain why such a bill is needed. There are already on the books countless laws that address the issues in this bill ( http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-909 ). I cannot conceive a need for it, unless the goal is to provide more Federal intervention into matters best left to the several States and local jurisdiction.

This bill is frightening. This will elevate one class of citizens to 'protected' status while slashing the free speech of everyone not in that 'protected' class. It not only shreds the 1st amendment AND the 14th & 16th amendments it enables pedophiles to freely molest our children! All crimes or acts of violence against another person are already illegal and thus don't need any special 'protections' for anyone. This is a completely unnecessary bill unless you are seeking to persecute one segment of the population which is unconstitutional.

All this bill does is enable one segment of the population to commit crimes without fear of consequences because they are now in a specially 'protected' class, while punishing the other segment of the population for merely thinking something the newly 'protected' class of citizens perceives they 'might' be thinking! This is classic fascism. Except now the Christians are in the crosshairs instead of the jews. Wake up America!

Where do you get the idea that churches will not be prosecuted for calling homosexuality and other abnormal sexual lifestyles a sin as prescribed in the Bible. Canada passed a measure known as AKP333 which limited the people from speaking out against sexual orientations. Pastors in Canada were silenced and many prosecuted for preaching against sin as churches have done for thousands of years.

Please replay (My Church and our 279 sister churches are not listed in your coalition partners.)

Which church I attend is really none of your business and has no bearing on a discussion of the rights of a particular class of citizen in this country. The issue at hand is whether laws are being prosecuted against all violaters or just against those whom the enforcers feel are justified.

Nowhere in the text of HR 1913 do I read the word pedophile. Please enlighten me with the text you are alluding to in the bill. Perhaps I have misspoken. If it is not the churches who teach that gay = pedophilia, maybe you can enlighten me. Where did you get this idea? And...Which church do you attend and what is their stance on the relationship between gay and pedophelia? Thanks

First, the law explicitly is in agreement with the free speech amendment:
“Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.”

Second, there is a false notion that gay = pedophile. I am unsure where this idea comes from, certainly not from the medical field, statistics or any other reasonable, testable hypothesis. In fact the only place I have encountered this notion is through groups affiliated with a religious group. While you may abide the fact that people are gay, that does not give anyone the right to speread the lie that gay equals pedophile. If your fear is not founded in fact, then perhaps it is unjustified.

I just love how they say "The Constitution does not protect speach..." Nice that they can finally inform all of us dumb citizens that the constitution doesn't protect all speech.

Actually it does. Under the constitution, you can say as many hateful things as you want. They can't prosecute you until you ACT. Did you ever see The Minority Report? That's what this bill reminds me of.

press: libel and slander
speech: presenting a clear and present danger

not protected (in case that helps)

That doesn't really make much sense. If someone get attacked because he is wearing red, and he happens to be black, the person's sentance would be increased because the victim was black, regardless of the actual reason for the crime.
Also, if two groups rallied at the same time, one being a gay rights group and the other anti-gay protesters, and a fight broke out, the protestors would get extra punishment for committing a "hate crime," whereas the gay rights group had just as much hate for the protestors.
This sort of legislation only serves to establish a "thought police" to decide if the defendent had "hate" toward the victims race, sexual orientation, etc. and increase his punishment because of it. If one attacks a gay women, why should he recieve a harsher punishment than one who attacks a strait women. After all, gays want equality, don't they?

If you are questioning me, please do so directly. I have nothing to hide. I am a 42 year old transgender woman. I was diagnosed with gender identity disorder (which is not a disability, but can be disabeling). I have worked since age 14 (not counting the doore to doore sales I began at age 10), been a restaruant manager 4 years and owner, I have been a nurse for 11 years, rental property owner (24 units)for more than 10 years, Volunteer touter secretary, vice-president, and President of my area's Adult Education Center, dedicated member of my church giving my (10%)tieth, maintain the Key code to the church. I have taken care of each member of my family when sick and/or hospitalized. My annual income is well over $100,000.00. Ive been kind of busy, I get about 4/24 hours of sleep, and I have never done drugs, not that I haven't had the option.

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10 NKJV

If I may, the Bible says so little about sexuality, why bother. If God had said anything about 'homosexual men' or 'lesbian women', would he have been so judging. Sexuality is truely not a choice. For centuries, monistaries have housed and employeed the 'Eunochs' monks. Have you ever wondered why, could it be because religous spirited people drove these people into that corner. The only choice for lesbians or homosexuals is "do I engage in a sexual life that pleases me, or do I abstain." This is where swinging came from. Couples maried, then one encouraging the other to invite other sexual partners into their sex life. Which is the worse sin?

"All speech is protected, except that which presents CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER"

Exactly. Our country was designed with all rights reserved to its citizens unless prohibited. NOT a list of only certain things they are allowed.

Why should the punishment for a crime vary depending on why the crime was committed? Should speeding tickets carry a harsher fine if it was given on the way to work versus on the way to lunch?
Stop this thought-crime bill NOW!

In reading the comments, you will notice that some comments are "filtered". If you unfilter them for yourself, you will discover that most of them are from conservatives. I do not think this site is so liberal; rather, I think we are witnessing someone who is purposefully "deleting" Christian opinions, for the most part.

God gave his only son to save the world, not to condem the world or to incite hate for one another. WWJD? Love thy neighbor as thou would love thyself- God's own words!!!! I have attended many Christian church services that did just that, incite hate for segments of society the minister judged to be sinners, and encouraged members of the congregation to "shun" those people. Let's love our neighbors and deny ourselves, and provide life & liberty to everyone so they may persue happiness.

Yes, Christ was sacrificed for our sins and transgretions, you need to get off the cross and stop trying to put me or my friends on it. Why don't we let God do the judging while you sit and pray. I know by your inability to grasp the substance of this legislation, you are incapable of understanding it because there is no danger, only responsibility.
Keep in touch with Jesus, youre going to need a good attorney when you come in front of the final Judge for all the evil you are preaching.

I agree with you Ruthann as it appears that many to judge others before they judge themselves. The teaching of religions show that those who believed in Jesus were also the ones who sent him to die. Jesus was different but the people feared this difference as much as those who may have a fear of snakes wish to destroy what they fear. "ANY ACT OF HARM IS CONSIDERED TO BE AGAINST THE LAW. Now if only the law enforcement agencies of all the states, cities, town, and etc...would enforce this the world might become a better place. For those of you who wish to not allow the above and including gender identity then I think your fear is questioning your own sexuality.

One of the Ten Commandments is: Thou shalt not Kill.
Does this mean we should not physically kill our neighbors.
Does it mean we shouldnt Kill our neighbors SPIRITUALLY.
Or, Could it mean BOTH.
I am not a minister, but my grandfather was. Sometimes we take the scriptures all to literally.
God said not to commit adultry, but Jesus said that to look upon your neighbors wife or ass, and desire them with lust without doing anything physically, was the same as committing the sin because you had lust in your heart.

Some yaers back not to long ago thow.A jewish rabbi spoke i Austrailia on islam.He spoke directly from the koran.Because what he had read shead a dark light on islam, the muslams of that comunity used lust such a law to accuse him of a hate crime.The judge told the rabbi the truth is know defence & sentanced him to a prison sentance.This bill is about limting freedom of speach & eventualy taking it away.just ask the citesens of Austrailia. Oh & make sure you ask them in secret they know longer have freedom of speach.

Hate crimes happen every day...as apposed to those committed out of love? All crimes are hate crimes.

Those who wished to silence Jesus were those that accused him.His disipels & those who followed him simply feared for ther lives from a socialis government who had lost there balance of power in government.Sound familiar.A leader telling the senate what they have to do.Open your eyes to history so the tyranny is not repeated.over simplifing it a little so if you want to know the truth perhaps you should realy study it with an open heart.

MsMaam: There is no 1 Corinthians 5:26 (5:1-13); Leviticus 18:22 (thanks for the OLD TESTAMENT review, while the Bible may describe a gay sex act, the word Homosexuality dose not appear in the Holy Bible but we are commanded by TEN COMMANDMENTS.
1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;..."
1 John 3:11 "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."
Who do you think you are to prescribe what each individual's nature is?

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Leviticus 18:22 Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.
1 Corinthians 5:26…God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.