President Obama signed the 'Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act' in October 2009 after Democrats strategically attached it to a 'must-pass' $680 billion defense-appropriations bill. The law cracks down on any acts that could be linked to criticism of homosexuality or even the 'perception' of homosexuality. As Congress debated it, there were assurances it would not be used to crack down on speech. President Obama boasted of the 'hate crimes' bill when he signed it into law.
U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, sent an unsolicited letter to a group of Christian activists and pastors to support their efforts in suing Attorney General Eric Holder over the "hate crimes" law that President Obama signed into law late last year. To read more about this law suit, read the article at http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=143513
But please be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the article where you will find links to many other related articles on this subject, from a Christian perspective.
What I want to address in this week’s article is what I have entitled 'The Original Hate Crimes Act.' For that I need to direct your attention to God’s Word, the ultimate authority on this subject. Our text is Matthew 5:10-12, a portion of what has been labeled 'The Sermon on the Mount'. Listen to the words of our Lord and Savior:
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Jesus, being an expert in Old Testament teachings, no doubt knew the words from the prophet Isaiah as recorded in Isaiah 66:5:
Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
I submit to you that many of those behind the introduction of a “hate crimes” act in the United States had as their intent to silence Christians from speaking the truth. Don Wildmon, founder and president of the American Family Association, takes on the Christian bashers in this book that is far more than a litany of horror stories. Inspired by the documentary series of the same name, co-produced by the Inspiration Networks and the American Family Association, Speechless: Silencing the Christians explains – using the very words of the Christian bashers, just exactly what the anti-Christian coalition wants and why they must get Christians out of the way to get it. The book by Wildmon has a great forward by Ann Coulter. To learn more about the book and order your own copy, visit https://store.afa.net/pc-10000332-4-speechless-silencing-the-christians.aspx
In an effort with Don Wildmon, the American Family Association, and other key Christian organizations, Janet Parshall helped produce a documentary called: “Speechless…Silencing the Christians”. Janet is the host of the conservative, Christianity-based radio talk show Janet Parshall's America, which was broadcast on the Salem Radio Network until January 29, 2010. Parshall also hosts a daily television talk show for FamilyNet television. She was also host of the 2004 documentary George W. Bush: Faith in the White House. To learn more about her work and view a major segment of this incredible documentary, visit http://www.silencingchristians.com
After viewing this documentary and going back to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12, it is no wonder that we are seeing more and more attacks against Christians in America and against our churches. No doubt this is what prompted a recent article entitled “Religious Hate Crimes On the Rise in the United States” to be written on the subject. The article is a reference to recent statistics from the federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The article closes by stating: “In 2009, the FBI reported that the number of hate crimes against religious groups had increased 9% from 2008.” To read the article, go to http://worldnewsvine.com/2010/03/religious-hate-crimes-on-the-rise-in-the-united-states.
In 2007, The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission released the “Top 7 acts of Christian-bashing cited”. Here is the list from 2007:
1. Colorado Church Murders
2. Federal Hate Crimes Bill
3. Violence on San Francisco Church
4. Attack on Jerry Falwell
5. CNN's "God's Warriors" and "Friends of God"
6. John Edwards' Campaign Bloggers
7. Golden Compass, the movie
You can read the article at http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59300 .
In 2009 this same group, The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission released the Top Ten Christian Bashing Moments in America in 2008. Here is that list from 2008.
1. Radical Homosexuals Assault Prop 8 Marriage Supporters in California
2. Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin Is Attacked
3. Barack Obama Defames Christianity
4. Colorado Law Criminalizes the Bible – Senate Bill 200
5. Chaplains Fired for Praying in Jesus' Name
6. Religulous the Movie
7. Minnesota University Professor Desecrates Communion
8. ESPN Anchor Dana Jacobson's "F*** Jesus" Remark
9. Bill Maher Gratuitously Attacks Pope
10. Jack Black Musical Video, “Prop 8 The Musical”
You can read the article at http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090106/group-lists-top-ten-christian-bashing-moments-in-america/index.html
In closing, I submit to you that our concerns in America regarding “hate crimes” need to be turned to these hate crimes against the church. But let us not be taken back by these attacks as they are what were promised by our Lord. As such, let’s make every effort to be better prepared and work together for the common cause of protecting the church so that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against her.”
To God Be the Glory.
