House Passes Hate Crimes Bill 237-180

The United States House of Representatives today passed 237-180 a bill that supporters say would protect victims of violent crime that was caused by hate toward specific groups of people and factors such gender, sexual orientation, race, or disability. On the other hand, opponents, including the leader of a coalition of African-American pastors, say the true purpose of the bill is silence the opinions of Christians against homosexuality.

The bill was sponsored in the House of Representatives John Conyers (D-Michigan). He said the bill "does not impinge on public speech or writing in anyway." Other supporters of the bill have said the law is needed to protect against violent attacks on specific kinds of people, and they have specifically mentioned beatings against homosexuals. The bill would provide for additional sentencing for those involved in hate crimes.

Some who have opposed the bill, however, say there are laws in all 50 states that could adequately be used to prosecute those involved in "hate crimes."

Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, the coalition of African-American pastors, said those who support the bill are wrong in saying it is sympathetic to the needs of the black community and the historic civil rights movement. He said the truth is, the bill will "muzzle the mouths and stop the voice of the black church." He said the black church has been the "conscience of America" and a saving instrument for God's grace in the African-American community.

Bishop Jackson said the passage of the hate crimes bill by the House of Representatives is "bigger" than a concern about the gay movement. He asked if Americans want a country in which no one can express "true" religious values. Bishop Jackson said while pro-abortion advocates cry for people to keep their hands of their reproductive organs, and gay advocates cry for people to stay out of their bedrooms, it is time Christian ministers cry out, "stay out of our pulpits."