Christians....Is the day coming when religious belief will be called hate speech?

Question

I just noticed Yahoo is proudly promoting Gay Pride 2007. Surely they know that millions of Yahoo users are opposed to the gay and lesbian lifestyle based upon religious belief (this includes Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Orthodox and some Jews).

It just made me think that the day might be fast approaching that simply ascribing to a certain religious belief and speaking about it might be considered "hate speech" by law.

It's not uncommon to hear a gay person accuse a Christian of "spewing hate speech" simply because a Christian says "The Bible teaches that homosexual acts are wrong."

Christians and others who accept God's revealed truth about homosexuality: Do you think these opinions about what constitutes "hate speech" might be written into law one day and restrict our freedom of religion?

I directed this question to those who oppose homosexuality on religious grounds.

Yikes, I had no idea, Father! I guess it won't be long before it crosses the border.

Answer 1

It's happening now. In Canada:

Canada's governor general, the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, signed into law yesterday a controversial measure opposed by religious believers and free-speech advocates who say it will criminalize public expression against homosexual behavior.

The bill, passed 59-11 by the Senate on Wednesday, adds sexual orientation as a protected category in Canada's genocide and hate-crimes legislation, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

The House of Commons passed the bill in September, 141-110.

Answer 2

In all the religious chat rooms I've been in I have NEVER heard anyone accuse christians of spewing hate speech for the simple and honest statement of the Fact that "The Bible teaches that homosexual acts are wrong." Gay or otherwise.

Most everyone knows the difference between statement of a fact and an attack on their beliefs/person.

Don't worry about that ever being a law.

If you have heard someone accuse a christian the way you claim, please email me the dialogue in context. I have to see this for myself.

Answer 3

Yes, I believe that day is fast approaching. Soon a Minister might be arrested for preaching God's word from the pulpit. I wonder if they are up to the challenge?

Hate speech is not unlike Hate Crimes. There should not be brought into law. All Crime is hate related and just because it involves gender or race should not get the perpetrator extra time.

If a person drags a person that happens to be gay or "insert color here" they should get the maximum for the crime. If someone drug my kid who happens to be white they get less? Makes no sense. Crime is crime.

Hate speech is still speech. We have a freedom to say what we will and should not face criminal charges. Now if you promote doing something to some one (does not matter who) You should face charges for the threat.

Answer 4

I'm right with you on that as well.
I've posted this before, but I was called on the carpet for preaching a sermon on Romans 1, not only focusing on homosexuality, but on the other sins mentioned there as well. I was told all kinds of crap like you can't preach about sin because it offends people and if I think the Bible is against homosexuality it's because I'm misinterpreting the original Hebrew and Greek.
The Bible is right on when it says that there will come a day when people will teach only what itching ears want to hear.

Answer 5

kind of like how the Christian movement is trying to make it illegal for the Holosexual to be married, and restrict their Religious FREEDOM?

you all are your own worst enemy. if you would simply leave everyone alone to live their lives in peace people would do the same for you. but you just cannot do that can you. it has to be a big problem anytime that there is a precieved insult.

and it would only be Hate speech if you were spewing it on a street cornet, or in a public forum.

furthermore there is no criminal charge against any speach with the notable exception on one, you cannot talk about assassinateing a president, or plan the bombing of a public building.

you can say wahtever you want. with no fear of police intervention. not saying that someone will not attack you for it, and then use your hateful speech against you in a court of law. and not saying that an employer may not choose to fire you to protect the image of his company.

but i am sure that that is the core of the teachings of the man Jesus. tell everyone else what they are doing wrong, and ignore your own shortcommings all day long...

or was it love thy neighbour?

i keep forgetting that one.

Answer 6

I have to say that from what I have seen in most cases
Christians do not simply say
our bible teaches....

it is usually more along the lines of
you are an abomination and will burn in hell

sorry but I am only being honest here

there is a distinct difference between sharing your views about something due to your teachings
and spewing hate .... and some do spew hate

by all means if you want to preach peace and love
as Jesus would have
then go for it

Answer 7

notwithstanding i'm no longer a Bush supporter, nor a ideal wing Fundamentalist Christian, i'm a pupil of historical past. intently look at Hitler's upward push to potential and his "maximum suitable answer" of the Jewish "difficulty". you will see close parallels between his approaches, and the what's occurring with this bill. regrettably, human beings usually and polititions in specific, do no longer look on the long term destiny, yet purely modern-day expedency. What could ensue if the rustic went right into a deep melancholy, and a charismatic guy or woman promised to scientific care the situation. could desire to or no longer this is that merely as Hitler became a dictator, so this guy or woman takes over the elected govenment of the rustic. (one among those melancholy could desire to be nearer than we predict of. look on the quantity that we import from China. In China, there are 1000's of folk who paintings for much less han a dollar an afternoon. Very quickly we will no longer be able to compete. China then will become the main suitable united states of the international and the rustic is going into an exceptionally deep melancholy, merely as Germany did after WWI.) with the intention to earnings potential, this guy or woman will could desire to discover a scape goat, merely as Hitler stumbled on the ecu Jews. could desire to or no longer this is that this guy or woman will 0 in on the "non secular ideal"? This proposed regulation places a mark on people who've a definite non secular and ethical attitude. (merely as Jews have been marked in Poland and Germany for the period of the conflict.) quickly the thought police, (in Germany it replaced into the SS.) knock on the doorways of the non secular ideal and imprison them for his or her ethical stand. quickly they're moved into Ghettos and ultimately to places like Auschwitch. you may say that this could in no way ensue. This regulation could desire to be the 1st step. shop a detailed eye on China. I hate to declare it notwithstanding it may desire to be which you or i'm going to be begging to be on Schindler's record

Answer 8

Yes, the law is in effect in Canada and churches have been fined for preaching the gospel. I believe the day will come when it will be as it was in the early church and those that preach the canonized scripture in spirit and truth will be persecuted and even prosecuted. Maranatha. May He come quickly.

Answer 9

Isn't it already that in Canada? I thought there was a law there that outlines a pastor can be arrested if they say homosexuality is a sin. Interesting to see if it progresses that far in the US of A.

Answer 10

Right on I am so with you on that. In my opinion all this hatred and intolerance and prejudice is against the teachings of christ. I beleive god is a loving god and not just as a catch phrase to lure people in to believing my crap dogmas.