Thursday, February 22, 2007

AFA's Warning If Hate Crimes Legislation Becomes Law

The American Family Association both nationally and here in Indiana has been active in opposing hate crimes legislation using the worst of anti-gay bigoted rhetoric. Both the AFA of Indiana's Micah Clark and Advance America's Eric Miller have been spreading false information about HB 1459, which is currently on second reading in the House after passing out of committee last week by a 9-1 vote. If you wonder where Miller and Clark get this heated rhetoric, you need look no further than the American Family Association's website and read what the organization is saying about pending federal hate crimes legislation. It begins with the erroneous claim that ministers will be criminally charged with "hate speech" if they preach against "homosexuality" from the pulpit and it goes downhill from there. This is what the AFA is saying:

  • Preaching that homosexuality is a sin from the pulpit will result in the preacher being charged with “hate speech.”
  • Churches will have their tax-exempt status revoked if they oppose homosexuality.
  • Homosexual marriage will be legalized and recognized in all states.
  • Polygamy will be legalized.
  • Landlords will be forced to rent to homosexuals.
  • Scouts, and all non-profit organizations, will be required to hire homosexuals as leaders.
  • Biblical language used to define homosexuality will be considered “hate speech.” City officials have already had a billboard removed in Long Island, NY, because it was classified as “hate speech.” The billboard read: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.” (Leviticus 20:13)
  • Employees will not be allowed to say anything negative about homosexuality in their workplaces.
  • Classes promoting the homosexual lifestyle will be included in school curricula beginning with the lower grades.
  • Employers will be forced to hire homosexuals.
  • Adoption by homosexuals will be legalized in every state.

This crap is so over the top and yet nobody in the mainstream media calls them out on it. Where's the outrage? I have to say I'm extremely disappointed Marion Co. Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, or any other public figure for that matter, has not spoken out against the attacks on HB 1459 by Miller, Clark and others from the religious right. This information is being disseminated to churches in our state, who are in turn contacting the legislators to oppose a bill based upon a complete misapprehension of what the legislation actually does. How can people claiming to be Christians bear false witness against their neighbors in the name of God?

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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:16 AM EST

    Gary, I don't know if you realize this, but there is another insidious bill making it's way through the State Senate.

    Senate Bill 190, authored by Senator Jeff Drozda, would protect churches from being licensed by the government as a business if they have a pitch-in, bake sale or other event involving food. Christian schools would also be protected from being licensed as a business if they have a concession stand.

    If this frightening piece of legislation goes through:

    -We will be forced against our will to attend Christian Bake sales, regardless of our faith.

    -We will be required to eat Mrs. Farnsworth's homemade chocolate chip cookies EVEN IF WE ARE ALLERGICE TO WALNUTS.

    -We will be required to eat any food the church pastor says is ok, even if we know the chicken has been sitting out for hours.

    I urge you to contact your State Senator TODAY and ask him or her to vote NO on SB 190.

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  2. Anonymous10:53 AM EST

    Funny stuff, Jeff.

    As for the original post, Gary:

    Technically, preaching that homosexuality is a sin, is blasphemy, inasmuch as the Bible makes at least 8 different references to the subject, four against, four on the other side.

    And, according to the same good book, by which I try to live, blasphemy is punishable by stoning to death. Hence Jesus's stepping in front of the crowd at such an execution and throwing out the phrase "He who is without sin can cast the first stone."

    I say, throw the Bible right back in Micah's face. And Eric's. Choke 'em on their own words.

    And while we do, let's remember the Lord's most-overlooked commandment: "Love one another."

    Except the homsexuals, of course.

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  3. Jay C. Howard11:11 AM EST

    "How can people claiming to be Christians bear false witness against their neighbors in the name of God?"

    That's easy. These people aren't really Christians at all. They are the Pharisees Jesus preached against. They are shameless, and dirty the very religion they claim to pracice.

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  4. Anonymous12:56 PM EST

    Is there no legal suit that can be filed against these organizations and their lies? These people ar unreal and yes the media has given them a rediculous free pass on this.

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  5. Unknown6:29 PM EST

    The AFA is absolutely over the top with these histrionics. Yet, as embarrassing as it may be for State of Indiana, we need to let the world know what is being said about HB 1459. We must expose these organizations and their radical Dominionist agenda.

    ReplyDelete