Life - 'Repent America' Denounces the Passage of Federal 'Hate Crimes' Legislation

The 'progressive liberalism and socialist movement' promoted by "Washington" is a sad commentary on the present-day chapter in the book of American Values.   Creating "special laws" designating "special classes of people" under provisions, regulations, policies and procedures that this draconian, 'multi-cultural' anti-religious, and pandering legislation creates may at some future time be used to justify "special treatment" for those so identified under its application.  - rfh

 

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From: Missionaries to the Preborn  Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 

For Immediate Release: Contact: Michael Marcavage, Director, Repent America, 1-800-3-REPENT, Ext. 5   REPENT AMERICA DENOUNCES THE PASSAGE OF FEDERAL 'HATE CRIMES' LEGISLATION     Measure headed to Obama's desk for signing  PHILADELPHIA -- Repent America (RA) denounces the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act Thursday by the United States Senate as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR. 2647). Despite numerous objections, the National Defense Authorization Act, initially intended to allocate funds for military activities, retained the inclusion of the unrelated amendment which federally expands criminal penalties against anyone who harms an individual based on "gender identity" or "sexual orientation," thus posing a serious threat to Biblical evangelism and active stances against the sin of homosexuality. The measure now moves to President Obama's desk to be signed into law. As a scheme to further the homosexual agenda, the Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, authored by the late Senator Ted Kennedy, was craftily adopted as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in July through the efforts of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and the urging of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), knowing the passage of the defense bill was guaranteed in both houses. Similar tactics to attach "hate crimes" legislation to national defense bills have been attempted over the past decade, including last year, but their adoptions have been removed each time from the final version of the legislation.   Exactly two weeks ago, the House of Representatives approved the bill with the inclusion of the "hate crimes" amendment, sending it to a swift vote in the Senate. Although senators such as Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) attempted to strip the "hate crimes" amendment from the bill during deliberations on Thursday, ultimately its inclusion remained, and by a vote of 68-29 the Defense Appropriations measure was passed. Three senators declined to vote.   With the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, there arises much trepidation about the reality of its imposed ramifications upon "offenders," which include up to ten years in federal prison. It is feared that the enactment of the bill will further create an environment for a police state, criminalizing any individual whose conduct is loosely interpreted by law enforcement as being harmful. Additionally, there remains a concern that upon facing trial, individuals may be subject to the personal bias of liberal federal judges who will pervert the law and send the innocent to prison, and that pastors and outspoken Christians could be charged with "inciting violence" should an individual be arrested for a "hate crime" after hearing a message decrying homosexuality or other sexually deviant behavior.   Repent America director Michael Marcavage, who knows first-hand about the serious dangers of so-called "hate crimes" laws, says that such legislation is completely unnecessary, unconstitutional and unGodly.    "Having been arrested, jailed and charged with a 'hate crime' for preaching the truth about homosexuality, I can assure you that this is one of the most dangerous pieces of federal legislation in the history of our nation," Repent America director Michael Marcavage stated. "This is an attempt by the U.S. government to shut down the Gospel of Jesus Christ by criminalizing Christians who reach out in the love of God to those trapped in the bondage of homosexuality," he continued. "The passage of this 'hate crimes' legislation is one giant leap in the direction of persecuting Christians nationwide," Marcavage concluded.   - PHILADELPHIA 11 AFTER THEIR VINDICATION BY A PHILADELPHIA CRIMINAL COURT - (Front, L-R) Arlene Elshinnawy, Susan Startzell, Lauren Murch, Nancy Major, Linda Beckman. (Back, L-R) Gerald Fennell, Mark Diener, Dennis Green, Michael Marcavage, James Cruse, Randall Beckman   In 2004, Marcavage and 10 other individuals known as the "Philadelphia 11" made national headlines after being charged with a "hate crime" for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the public streets of Philadelphia during an annual taxpayer-funded celebration of homosexuality called "Outfest." Simply by preaching the Word of God, singing songs of praise and carrying banners with Scripture verses, the Christians were viewed by local law enforcement as being a "threat" and were subsequently arrested. At the same time, police ignored the fact that homosexual attendees were harassing the Christians by encircling them with large pink placards while blowing loud, screeching whistles.   After being jailed for 21 hours, each member of Repent America was charged under Pennsylvania's "hate crimes" law called "ethnic intimidation." They were also charged with a host of other bogus felony and misdemeanor charges, including "criminal conspiracy" and "possession of an instrument of crime," and each faced a possible sentence of up to 47 years in prison along with a $90,000 fine. Thankfully, after months of the looming "criminal" charges, they were all vindicated of all counts.   Following this shocking incident, Repent America succeeded in its legal challenge and had Pennsylvania's so-called "hate crimes" law struck down in 2008 as being unconstitutional. Although not based on the merits of the law, both the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed that legislators violated the state constitution by altering an agricultural crop destruction bill into a bill protecting people based on "gender identity" and "sexual orientation," which was used in charging the Philadelphia 11.   "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" (Psalm 94:20)   ###   About Repent America Repent America (RA) is an evangelistic organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which zealously labors to further the Kingdom of God through Biblical evangelism. RA is a small operation with a BIG mission as it reaches out to tens of thousands of people each month with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether it be the public proclamation of the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15), opening thy mouth for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9), preaching to the poor and comforting the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), warning the wicked of their way (Ezekiel 33:8-9), or working to preserve our liberties to do so, Repent America continues to "fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:12) Please join in the fight with us by clicking here to make a donation to keep us on the streets, so that we can continue to impact America with the truth of God's Word! Missionaries to the Preborn | P.O. Box 26931 | Milwaukee | WI | 53226