TODAY IS: April 28, 2009 ACTION NEEDED: IMMEDIATELY

Hate Crimes Alert – U.S. House of Representatives

In its present form, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) threatens Christian communicators, broadcasters, Bible teachers and everyday citizens. Members of Congress must be told that the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech are not being effectively protected by this hate crimes legislation. A vote on this dangerous bill is scheduled in the House tomorrow.

On April 22 and 23, 2009, the full House Judiciary committee held a session to “mark-up” H.R. 1913. More than a dozen amendments were offered to this legislation, but none provided adequate protection for the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. The committee then voted 15-12 to approve H.R. 1913.

If this bill becomes law it will add sexual orientation, and something called “gender identity”, as a new basis for federal prosecution. In other words, if someone commits a “hate crime” and the sexual orientation or gender (which can be broadly defined) of the victim is the perceived impetus for that crime, a brand new federal criminal charge would be brought and the sentencing guidelines under this federal law would be much more severe, and could even include life in prison.

This should be of particular concern to religious broadcasters and any minister of the Gospel because their teaching on homosexuality (among other things) could be considered the impetus to a crime, should a listener/viewer/parishioner commit a crime against a homosexual, lesbian, or transgender individual. Or a listener/viewer/parishioner could claim psychological harm was done to them by the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality and other sexual and gender identity issues, and then drag any minister or religious broadcaster into a lengthy court battle.

Despite the hard work of Bob Powers, NRB’s Vice President of Government Relations, and Craig Parshall, NRB’s Senior Vice President of Communications and General Counsel – along with many other pro-family and religious liberty attorneys and organizations – H.R. 1913 is moving forward and remains very dangerous. This legislation should be important to every American because both religious free speech and free religious expression are at risk as the bill is currently written.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 will be voted on tomorrow (Wednesday) in House. Following that, the Senate will begin committee deliberation in the weeks ahead.

Please contact your House Member and tell them that H.R. 1913 is unacceptable and dangerous. To find your member of Congress, and their direct office phone number, log on to www.freedomtobroadcast.com. Click on the Hate Crimes story. Please also feel free to post this link on your website so that viewers and listeners might also reply. Also, if you know your member in the House, you can simply call the Capitol Switchboard at(202) 224-3121. Ask for your Member’s position on hate crimes legislation (H.R. 1913) and politely request a NO vote on H.R. 1913.

Posted: April 28, 2009
1:00 am Eastern

© 2009

Truth is the new hate speech. And homosexual activists are laying the groundwork for their own demise.

No kidding. The “hate crimes” bill, H.R. 1913, which passed out of the House Judiciary Committee last week, is aimed at silencing speech. This thought crimes bill is scheduled for a vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow, and when you pair it with existing law (found in Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code), it will unmistakably criminalize speech.

It specifically targets anyone who dissents to the homosexual agenda as aiding in the commission of a crime, making them “punishable as a principal.” If you care about free speech or the ability to read the Bible in anything other than hushed tones, you had better call your U.S. representative today to block it: 202-224-3121.

Otherwise, we all face a fate similar to that of Mr. Geert Wilders, member of the Dutch Parliament, who knows first hand what these speech-limiting laws can do. Wilders is indicted in his own country for speaking the truth. I spoke at a dinner honoring him yesterday in Boca Raton, Fla., and featured him as a guest on the radio yesterday. Wilders has been indicted for “hate speech” in the Netherlands for the “crime” of making a film that exposes the truth about Islamic jihad. Wilders was denied admission into the United Kingdom because of it. I recommend his 17-minute film, called FITNA, to everyone who cares about freedom.

“Speechless: Silencing the Christians,” by Don Wildmon, lays out determined strategy of coalition of liberal secularists, homosexual activists and Fortune 500 companies

You see, these people, whom the Department of Homeland Security are so worried about offending, don’t just want to destroy Jews and Christians. They are calling for the death of all non-Muslims in their fascist plan to dominate the world.

And to the homosexual community so anxious to criminalize speech? Here’s what you may not know: Topping the Islamic jihadists’ target list are … homosexuals. That’s right. If you think “hate” is disagreeing with you, you’d better think again. When you watch the film, you can read the headlines, including: “Imam legalizes violence against gays,” and Islamist headlines like “Throw gays from tall buildings.” This is not what Christians are saying. This is not what Christians believe. No, Christians are the ones standing against this kind of thing – and are being targeted for it.

Unlike in the United States, where laws protecting everyone – including homosexuals – are in place and remain unchallenged, laws like H.R. 1913 that limit speech are harmful to everyone.

You see, those are the kind of laws that are being used to target people like Geert Wilders. The Islamic jihandists linked to al-Qaida have put a price on his head. Those are the same people our Department of Homeland Security refuses to acknowledge. They won’t mention the word jihad even though that’s the word those who are working for our destruction, themselves, use.

No, instead, they are calling law-abiding American citizens “the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States.” Conservatives are the New Terrorists. According to their “Rightwing Extremism” report, among those stigmatized as extremists and potential terrorists are: Iraq war veterans, gun owners and Second Amendment advocates, pro-lifers, constitutionalists (those who believe in federalism) and immigration-reform advocates seeking to secure our borders.

Not content with slander, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano is calling for domestic spying on opponents of the Obama administration.

Here’s the good news: An ad campaign sponsored by nearly 20 organizations, is demanding Napolitano’s immediate removal as secretary of DHS, along with a sincere apology from President Obama for the damage done to the reputations of those smeared by the report, along with its immediate retraction.

The ad includes pictures of George Washington, Mother Teresa, Ronald Reagan and Pope Benedict XVI – all “right-wing extremists,” according to Napolitano’s Department of Homeland Security.

The ad is sponsored by a coalition of organizations including the American Family Association, Religious Freedom Coalition, Let Freedom Ring, United States Justice Foundation, Vision America and Faith2Action, among others. It is running in this week’s Washington Times Weekly and in tomorrow’s Washington Times daily edition.

If you don’t want to be targeted as a potential terrorist, monitored, investigated and searched as individuals in Missouri experienced for the “crime” of displaying pro-family bumper stickers on their car, you need to act now. On the website www.NoPoliticalProfiling.com, you can help us run more adds like this, and add your name to a petition calling for the resignation of Napolitano and the retraction of this appalling report.

Keep in mind this report targets the majority of Americans who also favor traditional marriage.

No, truth is not hate speech. Miss California, Carrie Prejean, who said she agrees with the majority in California who voted for marriage between one man and one woman, was hatefully attacked. The homosexual activist judge engaged in venomous name calling, giving the beautiful woman a “zero,” costing her the Miss USA crown. I assume his curse words would apply to the majority of voters in the state of California and to the 30 out of 30 states where traditional marriage was overwhelmingly defended by state ballot measures.

But far more significant than any crown, it’s our freedom of speech that is at stake. And to the homosexual community I respectfully say: Disagreeing with you is not hate. If you want to see what hate really is, keep criminalizing speech and you’ll read the headlines like Geert Wilders reports from the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. See what happens when those who hate all of us are given free reign and when all opposition is declared illegal just like the hate speech laws you’re working to pass.

A few days ago I had the great opportunity to talk to Ray Comfort, Founder and CEO of Living Water Ministries about his challenge to debate famous atheist Richard Dawkins.

This was one of my favorite interviews because I absolutely LOVE this ministry, and Ray was a great guest. He has a great sense of humor and is very winsome in his testimony.

For more information on his website The Way of the Master.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH RAY COMFORT

Last week I had this wonderful conversation with author and pastor Ed Tandy McGlasson about his newest book Be Loved, which is his passion to share with everyone how much God loves you.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MY CONVERSATION WITH ED TANDY MCGLASSON

More about the book Be Loved…

Experiencing the Power of God’s Blessing in Your Life
By Ed Tandy McGlasson

There’s a struggle that almost every person faces in their lives: Trying to earn God’s approval and love. In fact, it’s a never-ending battle until you learn the secret from which Jesus lived His life. Jesus not only came to give us a new beginning but also to bring us the same blessing and smile that His Father gave to Him.

Ed McGlasson guides readers on a fascinating journey to a place living under the smile of God. You’ll see how when we live under the power of God’s blessing in our lives, our worlds are turned upside down. The way you relate to God, your family and your friends will forever change. This new book provides can’t-put-down reading for Christians and church groups.

Hardbacks, 98 pages