Hate Crimes

nam-eno · Newbie Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 77 Status: **Offline**

Greetings:

In another group, I have been following a discussion concerning new legislation concerning hate crimes. Apparently, there is concern that language of that legislation would result in the possibility of Christians to be prosecuted for evangelism of their faith in certain circumstances. The following was my contribution to the discussion.

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Greetings:

While the scripture of the Old Testament contains examples where death was the consequence for certain sins, Jesus taught us that such judgments were for God. It is one thing to evangelize that behavior is inconsistent with the two greatest commandments and another that death should be the consequence. Those who resort to deadly force as a means of enforcing Christian belief have missed the point of Jesus' teachings.

It is true that our history is filled with events where persecution, violence and wars were driven by those of Christian faith. Where this has happened, it is the consequence of the failure of man to truly understand and live according to the commandments of our Lord.

Hate must be considered inconsistent with Christian faith. While we may disapprove of behavior which is inconsistent or in direct opposition to our Christian faith, Jesus did not call us to hate. He called us to love and forgiveness.

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35.

Still, existing secular laws punish crimes of violence whether or not they were induced by hate. Complicating the law is unnecessary.

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What do you believe? Do you think there is a need for a special hate crime law?

Blessings,
Nam Eno