A hate crime from the pulpit?

Christian leaders say bill may punish speech against homosexuality

From Wire Reports

WASHINGTON – A hate crimes bill passed Thursday by the House extending coverage to people victimized because of sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is attracting opposition from an unusual coalition of Christian leaders.

Proponents say the bill – similar to one the Senate is expected to pass in the next few weeks – is a moral imperative. But some Christians are depicting it as a "thought crimes" bill attacking First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion.

A coalition of evangelical, fundamentalist and black religious leaders is mounting a furious assault on the bill, airing television ads and mobilizing members to stop its progress.

They say that if the bill, approved in a 237-180 vote, were to become law, a pastor could be held liable for giving a sermon against homosexuality if a listener later attacked a gay individual.

James Dobson – founder of Focus on the Family, a conservative group opposing the measure – warned that its true intent is "to muzzle people of faith who dare to express their moral and biblical concerns about homosexuality." If you read the Bible in a certain way, he told his broadcast listeners, "you may be guilty of committing a 'thought crime.' "

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