I want to be free to hate. You should be free to hate me (of course I am such a great guy I don't know why you would). Pastor Phelps (Careful his site is hateful) should be able to hate whoever he wants to hate. Since when did it become a crime to hate anyway?
The truth is hate is a word with all kinds of violent connotations. We hear the word "hate" and we immediately think of racism or Pastor Phelps (by name or reputation). As Christian we often say things like, "God loves everyone" or "we should love our neighbor." Both of these statements and others have strong support from God's word. The truth is God does hate, scripture clearly supports that as well. For the record I think Pastor Phelps and his congregation are arrogant jerks who have believed a lot of lies.
The whole idea of legislating hate crimes was a mistake from the beginning. I don't know how, apart, from a persons own confession, hate can be proven. We already punish people for the crime itself, punishing them for what they were thinking or feeling while they commit a crime doesn't make any sense. Still "Hate Crime" laws have been passed over and over again.
Now there may be another one. This one (HR 254) may allow for pastors to be prosecuted for preaching an anti-gay message. I used to think we lived in a free country. I am not so sure anymore. Some pastors in other countries who have adopted similar laws have been prosecuted (including Canada). I don't know if we can stop these laws from eventually being passed (maybe we can stop them for a while). In the United States we have been spoiled, we have practiced Christianity with little to no persecution for most of our countries history. That time may be coming to an end.
Whatever the future holds no law can prevent hate, only the change that takes place in a person's heart because of the cross can stop hate.
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2 comments:
Sorry, but not with you on this one. Did you actually read HR 254 or just other's opinions of it?
I have read the bill as well as what others are saying about it. Even if you do not believe this bill will or can be used in this way I would be interested in what you think about the thrust of what I said.
Hate crime bills in general punish people for what they think rather than what they do. While God is free to judge based on what we think should we allow government to play that role? Is an act more wrong or right because of a persons motivation? If Hitler's motivations were good would that make his actions more acceptable?
I don't mind anonymous comments, but I would love to know who you are.
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