Setting the record....er....true.
Earlier today after pointing out the fallacy of referring to the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Bill as the "Pedophile Protection Act" to a fellow twitter user I was pointed to this webpage to support the argument. Below are the ways in which this website is incorrect, or a complete lie. I'm not sure if the person who wrote it is simply misinformed or lying but I felt the urge to correct the inaccuracies. Also here is a link to the verbiage of the hate crimes bill.
1. Large fines and eventually jail time for anyone who publicly speaks out against homosexual activity or transgenderism, even as a minister, if the state determines that one's message arouses people to hate homosexual or transgendered persons. This includes messages that cite Scripture or refer to studies that show higher incidences of promiscuity and disease among homosexually active men.
2. Suspension without pay from one's place of employment and even outright termination if one declares in any way one's opposition to homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if, as a white-collar employee, one makes such a declaration in a "letter to an editor" outside the domain of the workplace; moreover, one will have to pay the court costs of his persecutors.
4. Large fines if one owns a business and does not allow GLBT ("gay," lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered) activists to make use of the business's services to advance the GLBT agenda (e.g., if a privately owned print shop refuses to print materials for homosexual advocacy); moreover, having to pay the court costs of the government agency that prosecutes the case.
5. Corporations having to institute affirmative-hire programs for GLBTs as a necessary precaution against potential federal or civil lawsuits for "sexual orientation" discrimination.
6. Forced indoctrination of children as young as kindergarten in the public school systems into the acceptability of homosexual and transgendered behavior and the labeling of their parents' contrary religious views as "bigotry" and "hatred," through required readings, "GLBT studies," and mandatory attendance at special diversity convocations or diversity workshops; also, mandatory "sensitivity training" for all teachers on the value of sexual orientation diversity.
7. Even parochial schools being required to accept "gay prom dates" and "gay clubs."
8. Home-schooled children not being allowed to receive certification if their parents do not teach a curriculum that incorporates appreciation for "sexual diversity."
9. Loss of federal funds, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds for student loans, for any Christian college or seminary that does not hire homosexually active teachers or that forbids students to engage in homosexual practice, or that allows a teacher at its institution to speak against homosexual practice.
10. Ultimately, the threat of loss of accreditation for Christian colleges that do not condone homosexual behavior and transgen-derism.
11. Students and employees required to get counseling for the alleged mental health condition of "homophobia" or risk expulsion.
12. Imposition of national gay marriage by the courts, through appeal to this newly formed federal civil liberties category of "sexual orientation."
13. Being forbidden by a judge in a separation or divorce settlement from ever speaking against homosexual practice to one's child if one's ex-partner or spouse is openly homosexual.
14. Having one's child (whether a foster child, adopted child, or, eventually, one's biological child) removed from one's house if the parent opposes the child's declaration of homosexual identity and activity.
15. Private civic organizations, as well as Christian camps and retreat centers, being fined or shut down if they do not allow their facilities to be used by persons or groups for homosexual activities (e.g., to host a "wedding" by a homosexual couple or for a meeting of a "gay choir").
16. Fines for any person responsible for a newspaper ad critical of homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if the advertisement merely quotes Scripture; also, fines for the newspaper that prints it.
17. Fines for any persons with rooms for rent in their home (e.g. a bed & breakfast) if they refuse to rent to a homosexual couple intent on having homosexual sex on the premises.
18. Mayors taken to court for refusing to declare Gay Pride Days in their cities and being forced to declare such celebrations.
19. Loss of charitable status for churches that seek to influence their members to oppose pro-homosexual legislation or that refuse to marry homosexual persons.
20. Fines and/or loss of license for any broadcasting corporation that criticizes, or allows its broadcasting facilities to be used for criticism of, homosexual practice over the airwaves.
21. Adoption and foster agencies forbidden to give any priority to heterosexual married couples over homosexual couples on the grounds that such priority would be discriminatory.
22. Refusing the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army the use of public facilities because of their opposition to homosexual practice and transgenderism; moreover, censuring professionals who support such organizations in their private lives (e.g., prohibiting
judges from involvement in any organization that "discriminates" on the basis of "sexual orientation").
23. Banning from university campuses Christian organizations that disapprove of homosexual practice (e.g., Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade).
24. Making it illegal for members of mental health professions to counsel persons against a homosexual life.
25. Eventually special civil rights protection for other "sexual minorities" who can claim oppression for their "orientation": 'polysexuals' (those who are in multiple partner unions), participants in adult consensual incest, and perhaps even pedosexuals' (persons sexually oriented toward young adolescents or children).
1. Large fines and eventually jail time for anyone who publicly speaks out against homosexual activity or transgenderism, even as a minister, if the state determines that one's message arouses people to hate homosexual or transgendered persons. This includes messages that cite Scripture or refer to studies that show higher incidences of promiscuity and disease among homosexually active men.
This is not-factual. The hate crimes bill specifically states it refers to acts of violence.
(1) the term ‘crime of violence’ has the meaning given that term in section 16, title 18, United States Code;
(2) the term ‘hate crime’ has the meaning given such term in section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note)
(3) the term ‘local’ means a county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a state
2. Suspension without pay from one's place of employment and even outright termination if one declares in any way one's opposition to homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if, as a white-collar employee, one makes such a declaration in a "letter to an editor" outside the domain of the workplace; moreover, one will have to pay the court costs of his persecutors.
3. Termination from one's job if one does not support "coming out" celebrations or "gay pride" observances in the workplace, or if one does not attend mandatory "sensitivity" or "diversity" training sessions that espouse acceptance of homosexuality.
This is very wrong. Free speech is not infringed upon, only acts of violence toward a protected group, which includes Christians. Also I’m sorry you can’t fire someone because they are gay but that is part of society and the law. This country is based on tolerance and acceptance of difference beliefs and practices. Anymore than I could fire someone for choosing to be a Christian. Also please see response to point 1.
Please see response to point 1
4. Large fines if one owns a business and does not allow GLBT ("gay," lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered) activists to make use of the business's services to advance the GLBT agenda (e.g., if a privately owned print shop refuses to print materials for homosexual advocacy); moreover, having to pay the court costs of the government agency that prosecutes the case.
Again I’m sorry you can’t discriminate but as a public business you do not have the right to discriminate against anyone. Additionally there have always been laws in place regarding anti-discrimination. Also
Please see response to point 1
5. Corporations having to institute affirmative-hire programs for GLBTs as a necessary precaution against potential federal or civil lawsuits for "sexual orientation" discrimination.
Please see response to point 2
6. Forced indoctrination of children as young as kindergarten in the public school systems into the acceptability of homosexual and transgendered behavior and the labeling of their parents' contrary religious views as "bigotry" and "hatred," through required readings, "GLBT studies," and mandatory attendance at special diversity convocations or diversity workshops; also, mandatory "sensitivity training" for all teachers on the value of sexual orientation diversity.
If your abhorrence of the gay lifestyle is solely based on religious teachings you must adhere to each word of the bible denoted as a sin, such as men shaving their beard, eating shellfish, women baring flesh, etc. You also have the right to talk to your children directly and teach them your worldview. Additionally your children are going to meet GLBT people in their life, and probably already have. Teaching diversity allows them to learn how to not throw a brick at a gay person’s head. Also Please see response to point 1
7. Even parochial schools being required to accept "gay prom dates" and "gay clubs."
(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.
8. Home-schooled children not being allowed to receive certification if their parents do not teach a curriculum that incorporates appreciation for "sexual diversity."
There is absolutely nothing about this in the Hate Crimes Bill. Please re-read it.
9. Loss of federal funds, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds for student loans, for any Christian college or seminary that does not hire homosexually active teachers or that forbids students to engage in homosexual practice, or that allows a teacher at its institution to speak against homosexual practice.
There is absolutely nothing about this in the Hate Crimes Bill. Please re-read it.
10. Ultimately, the threat of loss of accreditation for Christian colleges that do not condone homosexual behavior and transgen-derism.
There is absolutely nothing about this in the Hate Crimes Bill. Please re-read it.
(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.
11. Students and employees required to get counseling for the alleged mental health condition of "homophobia" or risk expulsion.
That hate crimes bill only relates to acts of violence. If such a student acts violently toward a homosexual they would be subject to penalties. Thoughts and speech are not criminalized under this law. Please see response to point 1
12. Imposition of national gay marriage by the courts, through appeal to this newly formed federal civil liberties category of "sexual orientation."
This bill does not state one word about gay marriage, marriage equality, heterosexual marriage, etc. Please re-read.
13. Being forbidden by a judge in a separation or divorce settlement from ever speaking against homosexual practice to one's child if one's ex-partner or spouse is openly homosexual.
This bill does not state one word about gay divorce, divorce equality, heterosexual divorce, etc. Thoughts and speech are not criminalized under this law. Please re-read. Please see response to point 1
14. Having one's child (whether a foster child, adopted child, or, eventually, one's biological child) removed from one's house if the parent opposes the child's declaration of homosexual identity and activity.
This bill does not say anything about removing a child from home for opposition. Again if you react “violently” to a child’s homosexuality then you would have to face penalties.
15. Private civic organizations, as well as Christian camps and retreat centers, being fined or shut down if they do not allow their facilities to be used by persons or groups for homosexual activities (e.g., to host a "wedding" by a homosexual couple or for a meeting of a "gay choir").
(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.
16. Fines for any person responsible for a newspaper ad critical of homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if the advertisement merely quotes Scripture; also, fines for the newspaper that prints it.
Please see response to point 1 and 10
17. Fines for any persons with rooms for rent in their home (e.g. a bed & breakfast) if they refuse to rent to a homosexual couple intent on having homosexual sex on the premises.
The bill says nothing about renting a room or laws regarding housing. This is covered under the housing non-discrimination act. The above references discrimination is not a hate crime. Please see response to point 1
18. Mayors taken to court for refusing to declare Gay Pride Days in their cities and being forced to declare such celebrations.
No, again this bill relates to violent acts and not discrimination. There are other laws in regard to discrimination already enacted. Please see response to point 1
19. Loss of charitable status for churches that seek to influence their members to oppose pro-homosexual legislation or that refuse to marry homosexual persons.
(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.
20. Fines and/or loss of license for any broadcasting corporation that criticizes, or allows its broadcasting facilities to be used for criticism of, homosexual practice over the airwaves.
Please see response to point 1
21. Adoption and foster agencies forbidden to give any priority to heterosexual married couples over homosexual couples on the grounds that such priority would be discriminatory.
This is not a hate crime. Discriminatory, but not a hate crime. Several states have erroneous laws prohibiting same-sex adoption.
22. Refusing the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army the use of public facilities because of their opposition to homosexual practice and transgenderism; moreover, censuring professionals who support such organizations in their private lives (e.g., prohibiting
judges from involvement in any organization that "discriminates" on the basis of "sexual orientation").
I think you just made my point. Discrimination of sexual orientation is not allowed. No, sir. Thank you.
23. Banning from university campuses Christian organizations that disapprove of homosexual practice (e.g., Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade).
Non-Christian universities are bound by existing laws to not support, fund, or allow any organization that promotes discrimination toward any group. Google cases regarding Nazi Youth groups on college campuses.
24. Making it illegal for members of mental health professions to counsel persons against a homosexual life.
Mental health professionals are bound to follow the guidelines of the American Psychological Association which does not classify homosexuality as a disorder.
25. Eventually special civil rights protection for other "sexual minorities" who can claim oppression for their "orientation": 'polysexuals' (those who are in multiple partner unions), participants in adult consensual incest, and perhaps even pedosexuals' (persons sexually oriented toward young adolescents or children).
The APA does not classify sexual orientation as a disorder. Pedophelia is a disorder and therefore in no way protected under this bill. Please do not lie to advance your anti-homosexual agenda. It demeans you and God.
*Sigh*
They always dramatize it to make it seem terrible, don't they?
- Zac
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It really wouldn't bother me as much if more often they would say something like "I really hate homos and it bothers me that the fine men and women out there beating the crap out of them will be punished for doing God's work."
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