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Young Catholic said:

Sorry to resserect such an old topic, but I did see this recently as it came up for a 2nd reading in the House. The bill- at least right now, defines the hate crime as, "willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--" or if they are denied the use of a public facility.

Hi Young Catholic,
Welcome to the Highway! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hello.gif" alt="" />

It's OK to resurrect old threads with new comments. Thanks for giving clarity to the current language in the hate crimes bill now in Washington. Since you brought up the topic again I have a question for you. Why do we need hate crime laws? Aren't the current laws enough?

The list of crimes you've included in your post are already covered by our current laws. Why should the motives be added to a bill which sorts out special groups of citizens? It seems to me that hate crimes deal more with motive. Isn't there a danger of taking away some of our freedoms by imposing hate crime laws? For example I've read that pastors won't be able to condemn homosexuality from the pulpit because it violates the hate crime laws. What's your view on that?


Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts