It is true that Exodus is not focusing on public policy as a primary goal right now but this is a historic move and deserves attention and prayer. What follows is my own personal opinion. From the definitely “right” (politically) leaning OneNewsNow.com :
Christians on high alert over hate crimes passage
A hate crimes bill sent to President Obama for his signature raises a red flag for Christians.
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed a hate crimes bill that Christian leaders have warned for years could greatly infringe on the rights of those who speak to loudly about their religious views. Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel agrees with most observers that President Obama will sign the measure — adding that the president desires to “throw a bone to homosexual activists because they have been breathing down his neck…and this is a way to hold them off.”
Barber views the legislation as something akin to a muzzle. “Unfortunately, it places Christians — people of faith, people who have traditional values relative to sexual immorality…in an untenable position,” says the attorney.
He notes that several years ago, a similar law in Pennsylvania resulted in the arrest of 11 Christians who were presenting the gospel at a Philadelphia homosexual rally. Barber goes on to say that the federal bill “will chill religious liberty and free speech — and that is its intended purpose, not to protect anybody from hate crimes.”And as for pastors? “There is a very weak exemption in [the bill] which is totally illusory, and a religious exemption is not going to protect pastors,” responds Barber. “Renegade prosecutors and politically correct leftists in positions of authority can subjectively determine what is or is not a hate crime.” And then move on to prosecution, he adds.
Barber explains that Liberty Counsel intends to challenge the constitutionality of the hate crimes legislation.
via Christians on high alert over hate crimes passage (OneNewsNow.com) .
A few years ago I went on record with my testimony of being a victim of violent crime and how bad federal legislation won’t change anything except possibly threaten religious liberties of Christians.
I don’t agree that those who voted for the bill did so to “chill” Christians. Maybe a few, very few, did but not most. I think those that passed the legislation have been sold on it being a quick fix to mend an incorrectly defined but real problem. I personally don’t think the problem of the random pockets of homophobic violent assault rises to the level of passing bad federal public policy … but these heart breaking, and sometimes life threatening, crimes do happen.
When I actually went to Capitol Hill to lobby, all both times (twice in seven years, several years ago), I would share my general testimony and how I think that true homophobia could be confronted in a relevant way. It would be much more beneficial to identify areas (constituencies) that have a problem with violent crimes against those of us who have (or had) same sex attractions and have both private and town hall meetings of local respected civic, gay identified, religious and people on a Christian post-gay journey. Those meetings could lead to specific projects or other ideas to increase tolerance and true respect for our neighbors. We could also use local grass roots visibility and accountability to make sure that local law enforcement applies existing law in a manner that equally protects everyone which of course includes those who identify as gay.
While I am concerned about public policy and will participate in the system, as a private citizen at this point, to work toward what I think is best for the whole, my “high alert” status remains fixed on whether a person knows Christ or not. I am glad the Liberty Counsel is going to look for opportunities to challenge this legislation. Even so, I have to remember that God doesn’t promise us equal rights or religious liberty. He actually warns that we will be persecuted by man and the government.
As my friend Paul likes to say, “We aren’t called to win, we are called to be faithful.” Our top priority is our testimony of His loving atonement and redemption. The merits of any particular legislation, whether it does prove to be oppressive or not, will not stop that loving message from going forward.
Bob Finch
Nora Seemann
YesGodLovesMe
Jennifer Thorne
Brady
LJ
Debbie Thurman
John Westcott
Julie Neils
Catherine H
I’ll miss you too! Thanks for posting this!
Hate Crimes Sent To Obama’s Desk – What is Top Priority? http://bit.ly/2ELnCB
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Randy, this is the most intelligent and Christian commentary I have seen on the subject yet. Thank you.
Well I don’t know about that … just look at my bad grammar and “wordy” writing style. I could have tightened that up quite a bit BUT … thank you for your encouragement on the content.
I wish more of those leaders would have taken up the task of local meetings but there ya’ go. The hate crimes law will be signed by the President tomorrow.