The Poison of Hatred

It does stink that the religious right feels they can shove their views on morality down our throats.

Carla, this was just such a wonderful and timely post...thanks for including the contact piece...it is so important that Christians and non Christians speak out on behalf of this bill and send a clear message to the "conservative right" that there religion has nothing to do with Christ...where did they ever get this lopsided view of humanity? And imagine a President catering to this small minority.

Its a shame that gay's can shove theit vews down our throats ,or up our ass , if some one beats me up or kills me why is'nt it a hate crime , as much as if it had been some queer , or black , murder or , asault is a hate crime , no matter who , its done to , so why have a special law for one groupe of people

Done! Thank you, Carla!

Carla - I have responded as well. Thanks for posting this.

I'm not gay, John, but I care what happens to any person--even those filled fill anger and self-righeousness. If you have been a victim of violence, my heart goes out to you. But there are people who attack those that are different from them--maybe because they are filled with self-loathing and bitterness about their own lives. They turn their anger outward and project it on others. I saw this in Florida when young men attacked homeless people.

Carla,

There are other things about this bill that you may not be aware of, like its not the first time its been across a Presidents desk its been turned down even by such ex Presidents as Clinton, and President Bush's father. Its all in the wording within the bill as it will make it a crime to even speak against such life styles as mentioned above. This lends itself that a preacher or Rabbi may not preach against the sin within the life styles out of fear of being prosecuted for a hate crime. This will be used to throw out the preaching and/or teaching the Law of Moses or the 10 Commandments. Their are even other articles written here of Gather which explain the pit falls of this bill in more detail.

I know many may wish to chime in on the Christian bashing bandwagon. Well my only response is this, the dreaded hatred feared by the ones that choose sin as a choice and call it a life style! the teachings of the Jewish Rabbi's and the Christian Preachers call for the followers to Love all, and to hate the sin not the sinner.

Just another point Carla, I know we live in an imperfect word but why do we need laws to dictate when a crime is done with hate as most crime done against another are based with some measure of hate. Or is it that one should be punished more because someone has place a label on it, do you feel the same crime against another that doesn't fall under the wording of this bill should not have the same measure of justice given. Just how far do we have to go with all this, a crime is a crime is a crime and to label it a hate crime just lends to more and more protectionism in one of the most fair minded countries in the world. Its all just more smoke and mirrors to take more rights away, like freedom of speech. I know hurtful speech but its a freedom we all have lived under for many years now and one I don't nor won't see flushed away on a whim. Just remember people have died over the long years of this great country to give and protect this laws this bill is willing to cut threw!

Phillip thank you for your comment. I completely agree with you there. Carla, I am certainly not against protecting other people. But I don't agree with passing laws to protect one group when it limits the rights of another. And we have to be very careful and watchful about the bills/laws that get passed in our country. It is a sad fact that the wording is so important, and that things are "snuck in" under the fine print. Many a good intentioned bill has been vetoed for this reason. I am as horrified as you at the treatment of people just because of their differences. There is not one of us who could not be included in some group that is "different" and targeted for this reason. But this does not change the fact that murder is still murder, assault is still assault. Should we label a crime a hate crime because someone chose to murder someone because they were gay? or another race? or another religion? If we go that far, why should we not label it a hate crime if a man kills a woman because he hates women? The same could be said of any group. The truth is that most crimes are committed because of hatred of someone or something. You are right in saying that hatred is a venom in our society. I just don't believe that passing laws like this are the antidote. Jesus is.

Philip, thank you for your somewhat lenghthy response to my article. I appreciate your taking the time to respond. I am quite aware of what the Bible says, as I am an ordained Christian minister myself. However, having attended a seminary and studied the Bible, I know some things about the Bible that you may not. For instance, the passage most quoted in the Bible by Christian fundamentalists to condemn homosexuality is the one about Sodom. Biblical scholars now acknowledge that the "sins" of the city of Sodom had to do with their lack of hospitality rather than whether they slept with people of the same sex. Jesus did not address homosexuality in his teachings. He focused on love, which is what I think that all Christians should do.

As far as preachers or rabbis not being able to teach the Ten Commandments--I fail to see how the Hate Crimes Prevention Act would affect this teaching (by the way, are you aware that there are actually three different versions of the Commandments?) The Ten Commandments has no mention about homosexuality.

And Philip, we do not know that homosexuality is a "lifestyle" choice although many would wish it to be. Many scientists, psychologists and medical researchers believe that it is genetic.

Kristen, could you please share with me what rights of yours would be affected by the passage of this act? I would like to understand your concerns. Thanks.

I'm not gay eather , nor black . If my wife came in while I was sleeping and beat me to death , thats as much , a hate crime , as if I were , gay . murder is , murder no matter who you are . There dos'nt need to be a law , a stronger law aganst murdering some one because of their life style or race . Just treat every one equal ?

Or hey just make it a hate crime to kill any one . While we are about it , what about what Al Sharpton and Jessie said about , the three lacross players last year at duke ? was't that pure hate . Have they been charged with a hate crime?

Carla,

Nice article...on which I agree regarding hatred. When you state "religous right" you are making a specific statement about group of people in which I belong. Obviously, the statement is wrong since I agree with your overall assessment. I think you should consider using the term "religious extremist" in your article. Then I could agree. "[P]rotect from discrimination" is a term that needs to be defined. Does that mean that gays, lesbians, cross-dressers, atheists, etc. should be permitted to work in a Christian book store, be the pastor of a specific church, etc.
Those are the things that worry conservative Christians, "the religous right." The religious right is just as concerned about violence and hatred against the sinners and the saints (all of us are sinners). But it is the extremist that we should all be concerned about (right or left). Your comments back to Philip are interesting in that you allude that it is the biblical "scholars" that we should now listen to instead of God. I assume you are more learned than Paul. Further I would also assume from your comments and article that you know more than any others. I hope that is not the case. Let me be positive though. There is genuine concern and a proper message in what you write (my opinion). Had you not written it, I may not have thought about it and certainly not from your view point. Writting down your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, helps all of us sort through a thought process that, in the absence of your article, may never have been there. I caution all of us though (especially mysself) not to preach to, but to explore the Truth. Jesus had great issues with the learned scholars of His life here on earth...the Pharisees and Saducees. Keep throwing out those issues...it makes me think about what God wants us to do and understand. God bless you and yours.

Jim, you have covered a lot of territory. I do not have a lot of time to respond to all the things you said. I do agree that extremists are a problem, because whenever we take a belief and say that we are right and everyone else is wrong and we're going to kill those who believe that way...well, we have wars to show for that state of consciousness.

As far as what I believe, it is based on my own study and experience. Am I more learned than Paul? I don't know. Paul was an excellent teacher, although the teachings that I prefer to follow are those of Jesus. Why go to Paul for answers when you can study from the master? Paul had his own problems. But I do love Paul's comment--"Christ in you, your hope of glory." One of the best things he ever said--assuming he said it.

As far as listening to God, what do you mean? I listen to God every day in my prayer and meditation and I seek to follow the guidance I receive. If you mean, do I take everything in the Bible literally and believe that it is from the lips of God--no. I believe that the Bible was written by many inspired individuals over the course of many years. Is it historically correct? Most Biblical scholars say, "no." Does that mean that it's teachings have no merit? No. I am a Bible student myself. I prefer to read the gospels because, to me, they are the ones that speak more to the teachings of Jesus. There is much allegory, parables (much of what Jesus taught), and symbolism in the Bible. There are many conflicting stories and things that do not make sense. But many of the teachings speak to my heart and are an inspiration to me as they are to others. But let's be frank--wars have been fought, prejudice has been spread, and slavery condoned because of things in the Bible.

I am glad that what I wrote caused you to think and consider your own beliefs. We all need to do that. I also write to encourage people to not merely worship Jesus, but to live by his teachings.