The Thought Police (new hate crimes law)...

The Thought Police
By Chuck Colson
5/1/2007

What the Hate Crimes Law Would Do

In George Orwell’s classic novel 1984, the government Thought Police constantly spies on citizens to make sure they are not thinking rebellious thoughts. Thought crimes are severely punished by Big Brother.

1984 was intended as a warning against totalitarian governments that enslave and control their citizens. Never have we needed this warning more urgently than now, because America’s Thought Police are knocking on your door.

Last week the House Judiciary Committee, egged on by radical homosexual groups, passed what can only be called a Thought Crimes bill. It’s called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. But this bill is not about hate. It’s not even about crime. It’s about outlawing peaceful speech—speech that asserts that homosexual behavior is morally wrong.

Some say we need this law to prevent attacks on homosexuals. But we already have laws against assaults on people and property. Moreover, according to the FBI, crimes against homosexuals in the United States have dropped dramatically in recent years. In 2005, out of 863,000 cases of aggravated assault, just 177 cases were crimes of bias against homosexuals—far less than even 1 percent.

Another problem is that in places where hate crimes laws have been passed, hate crimes have been defined to include verbal attacks—and even peaceful speech. The Thought Police have already prosecuted Christians under hate crimes laws in England, Sweden, Canada, and even in some places in the United States.

If this dangerous law passes, pastors who preach sermons giving the biblical view of homosexuality could be prosecuted. Christian businessmen who refuse to print pro-gay literature could be prosecuted. Groups like Exodus International, which offer therapy to those with unwanted same-sex attraction, could be shut down.

In classic 1984 fashion, peaceful speech will be redefined as a violent attack worthy of punishment.

This is the unspoken goal of activist groups. We know this because during the debate over the bill last week, Congressman Mike Pence (R) of Indiana offered a Freedom of Religion amendment to this hate crimes bill. It asked that nothing in this law limit the "religious freedom" of any person or group under the Constitution. The committee refused to adopt it. It also refused to adopt amendments protecting other groups from hate crimes—like members of the military, who are often targets of verbal attacks and spitting. They also shot down amendments that would protect the homeless and senior citizens, also often targeted by criminals. Nothing doing, the committee said—the only group they wanted to protect: homosexuals.

Clearly, the intent of this law is not to prevent crime, but to shut down freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of thought. Its passage would strike at the very heart of our democracy.

The full Congress may vote on this bill as early as this week. Unless you want Big Brother telling you what to say, what to think, and what to believe, I urge you to contact your congressman immediately, urging him or her to vote against this bill. If you visit the BreakPoint website, you’ll find more information about this radical law.

If we do nothing, 1984 will no longer be fiction, and Big Brother will be watching you and me—ready to punish the “wrong” thoughts.

^^^Read that editorial today.

Now while I'm not for anybody being hit or hurt, or even demeaned for race, gender, orientation, etc.....

I don't want somebody arresting my pastor because as a minister he gives the Bible's view on homosexuality.

Thoughts?

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are already wearing their badgets.

Originally posted by sithsaber408

Last week the House Judiciary Committee, egged on by radical homosexual groups, passed what can only be called a Thought Crimes bill. It’s called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Someone point out the mistake.

Originally posted by sithsaber408
[b]The Thought Police
By Chuck Colson
5/1/2007

What the Hate Crimes Law Would Do

In George Orwell’s classic novel 1984, the government Thought Police constantly spies on citizens to make sure they are not thinking rebellious thoughts. Thought crimes are severely punished by Big Brother.

1984 was intended as a warning against totalitarian governments that enslave and control their citizens. Never have we needed this warning more urgently than now, because America’s Thought Police are knocking on your door.

Last week the House Judiciary Committee, egged on by radical homosexual groups, passed what can only be called a Thought Crimes bill. It’s called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. But this bill is not about hate. It’s not even about crime. It’s about outlawing peaceful speech—speech that asserts that homosexual behavior is morally wrong.

Some say we need this law to prevent attacks on homosexuals. But we already have laws against assaults on people and property. Moreover, according to the FBI, crimes against homosexuals in the United States have dropped dramatically in recent years. In 2005, out of 863,000 cases of aggravated assault, just 177 cases were crimes of bias against homosexuals—far less than even 1 percent.

Another problem is that in places where hate crimes laws have been passed, hate crimes have been defined to include verbal attacks—and even peaceful speech. The Thought Police have already prosecuted Christians under hate crimes laws in England, Sweden, Canada, and even in some places in the United States.

If this dangerous law passes, pastors who preach sermons giving the biblical view of homosexuality could be prosecuted. Christian businessmen who refuse to print pro-gay literature could be prosecuted. Groups like Exodus International, which offer therapy to those with unwanted same-sex attraction, could be shut down.

In classic 1984 fashion, peaceful speech will be redefined as a violent attack worthy of punishment.

This is the unspoken goal of activist groups. We know this because during the debate over the bill last week, Congressman Mike Pence (R) of Indiana offered a Freedom of Religion amendment to this hate crimes bill. It asked that nothing in this law limit the "religious freedom" of any person or group under the Constitution. The committee refused to adopt it. It also refused to adopt amendments protecting other groups from hate crimes—like members of the military, who are often targets of verbal attacks and spitting. They also shot down amendments that would protect the homeless and senior citizens, also often targeted by criminals. Nothing doing, the committee said—the only group they wanted to protect: homosexuals.

Clearly, the intent of this law is not to prevent crime, but to shut down freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of thought. Its passage would strike at the very heart of our democracy.

The full Congress may vote on this bill as early as this week. Unless you want Big Brother telling you what to say, what to think, and what to believe, I urge you to contact your congressman immediately, urging him or her to vote against this bill. If you visit the BreakPoint website, you’ll find more information about this radical law.

If we do nothing, 1984 will no longer be fiction, and Big Brother will be watching you and me—ready to punish the “wrong” thoughts.

^^^Read that editorial today.

Now while I'm not for anybody being hit or hurt, or even demeaned for race, gender, orientation, etc.....

I don't want somebody arresting my pastor because as a minister he gives the Bible's view on homosexuality.

Thoughts? [/B]

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Someone point out the mistake.

I know, I know. Take me. I know it. Teacher. Here, here. I know it.

Someone other than Bardock?

Okay, Bardock.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Someone other than Bardock?

Okay, Bardock.

Is it because it says that it can only be called a Thought Police law, while in the next sentence it gives another, the actual name, thereby proving that it is not the only name for the law?

Correct.

Also they say 'homosexuals' and not 'deviants'.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Correct.

Also they say 'homosexuals' and not 'deviants'.

Oh man, the second one always gets me. I want a gold star anyways. I demand it even.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Is it because it says that it can only be called a Thought Police law, while in the next sentence it gives another, the actual name, thereby proving that it is not the only name for the law?

Good catch. 👆

I didn't write the thing, I just read it. 😛

Originally posted by sithsaber408
Good catch. 👆

I didn't write the thing, I just read it. 😛

Anyways, though I feel the article is horrible biased and a disgrace to a any decent editor/editorial, it is right that of course it is quite 1984 to not allow people to peacefully state their opinion (as hateful, wrong and stupid as it may be (no offense sithsabre, you know how I feel)), especially if it is in their church or private place.

"In classic 1984 fashion, peaceful speech will be redefined as a violent attack worthy of punishment."

Outright lie in an attempt to discredit. This is not even slightly true. It's being treated as possiuble incitement to such attacks.

Doesn't really matter, this law is stupid. And I hate people that bash gays because they are gay..

Laws like this are just plain ****ing wrong, unless somebody calls on others to hurt homosexuals in some way then they aren't doing anything wrong.

This is honest to god sad, a bunch of pansy assed* gays can't take some insults ? Cry me a river 🙄

If I call a gay guy a fakkot** I expect to be called a douche-bag right back , if you can't insult each other without getting lawyers involved then your country has truly hit rock bottom.

*In the fact that they whine and cry over insults, not because their homosexuals.

** Replace the K's with G's , stupid word censor !

This is hardly a matter of outlawing religious freedom in favor of homosexual rights. Ush is right, this article and practically every other article on the subject...on top of the television commercials I've seen over the act...involves confrontational religious speech. If you go to an event like a gay pride parade and shout at them about being f@gs and how they're going to burn in hell, you can be arrested. And vice versa is true. Extreme gays can't do the same in the face of a religious gathering.

The particular commercial that stands out for me is the one with the older black lady that says she went to Philadelphia to "spread the word of Jesus Christ" at a "gay rally". She says, "I'm 79 years old, and I was arrested for spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Stop the Hate Crimes legislation before you get arrested for teaching the truth of Jesus Christ."

What does that mean? She and her zealot friends got arrested for screaming at the people involved. No one goes 10 states away to stand there quietly and pass out those little religious comics you find in phone booths.

All that being said, I don't agree with any legislation that effects your rights to express yourself. And as it is now, someone with a religious message(excuse me 'Christian"😉 is given far more leeway that any other "message".

"Bill Would Include Gays Under Hate Crimes Law" by The Associated Press

Washington—Legislation to included crimes against gays and lesbians in federal hate crime laws was reintroduced in the House Wednesday.

The measure passed the House in the last Congress but was dropped by the then Republican-controlled Senate in May.

Although the bill has bi-partisan support, with Democrats now in control of Congress, it is seen as having a better chance of passage.

Called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, it was filed Wednesday by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers.

It would allow the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which violence occurs.

Extending hate crimes law to include members of the LGBT community is endorsed by more than 175 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including the National Sheriffs' Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

"Each year hundreds of our fellow citizens are attacked based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity, with thousands more attacked based on their race, religion, age, gender or ethnicity. Hate crimes do not target just the victim; they terrorize entire communities and entire groups of people. This sort of violence has no place in our American society," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in a statement.

"While no groups of Americans are immune from hate crimes, one in six attacks are motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, and yet today's federal laws don't include any protections for these Americans."

The American Civil Liberties Union called for swift passage of the bill and for President Bush to sign it.

"The bill will expand the ability of federal law enforcement to step in and prosecute hate crimes when state and local governments are unwilling or unable. Too often, we've seen hate crimes go unpunished due to inadequate resources or a bias against the victim. At the same time, we also believe that these prosecutions should be based on a defendant's actions, not on his or her beliefs or organizational memberships, unless they're directly related to the crime," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office.

Last July the FBI was called in to help in the investigation of a cross-burning at the home of a gay man in Athens, Tennessee, but the bureau said that even if the people responsible were caught they could not be prosecuted under federal law.

LGBT hate crimes not only harm individuals, but they terrorize entire communities, the Human Rights Campaign said.

"It’s the responsibility of our government to protect all Americans. After more than a decade of delay, it’s time for Congress to provide local police and sheriffs’ departments with the tools and resources they need to put away society’s most vicious criminals,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

Originally posted by sithsaber408
Now while I'm not for anybody being hit or hurt, or even demeaned for race, gender, orientation, etc.....

Then I assume you support this legislation?

I support it completely, although I don;t think that surprises anyone on here. Sometimes you have to look at the greater good.

Originally posted by Starhawk
I support it completely, although I don;t think that surprises anyone on here. Sometimes you have to look at the greater good.

In this case the greater good being the complete control of what people are allowed to say and what not?

Originally posted by Bardock42
In this case the greater good being the complete control of what people are allowed to say and what not?

If it will prevent hate crimes and curb racism and prejudice then yes it is worth it. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, when we live in a society that allows for it without harm.