Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It is designed to protect gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals--as well as individuals with disabilities--from discrimination and hate crimes. This act had enormous support from the public, law enforcement and religious groups, yet President Bush has threatened to veto it. Why? Because the religious right feels that this act is a threat to their religion.
It's hard to imagine that Christians would want to veto a bill with the aim of protecting fellow citizens against violent crimes of hatred. Jesus himself spoke against hatred and bigotry. He stood up for those that were persecuted and condemned by society. He said, "Let he who be without sin cast the first stone."
I remember the day that I heard about the death of Matthew Shepard, the young gay man who was brutally tortured and murdered in Laramie, Wyoming back in 1998. I was shocked by this outrageous crime of violence and hatred.
Hatred is poisonous. It is like a venom that spreads and becomes the justification for violence and murder against religious groups, races, and anyone who is different. The elderly, homeless, and those with disabilities have been targets. We have seen the effects of hatred and bigotry in Nazi Germany, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and other countries.
It seems strange that an act needs to be passed to protect people from crimes of hatred, but unfortunately it appears necessary. I encourage you to contact President Bush and express your support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. You can either contact the Whitehouse by phone at 202-456-1111 and leave your comments, or by email at [email protected].
Comments