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Pastor: Hate crimes bill stifles religion

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (UPI) -- A Virginia clergyman says federal legislation defining attacks on gays and lesbians as "hate crimes" will stifle religious freedom.

Bishop E. W. Jackson Sr., who leads Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Va., says that while he's against anti-gay violence, he also opposes homosexuality and wants to be free to preach against it, The (Norfolk, Va.) Virginian-Pilot reported Wednesday.

Jackson told the newspaper he fears religious leaders could be prosecuted for inciting anti-gay violence, even though the legislation -- expected to be signed Wednesday by President Barack Obama -- contains language meant to preclude prosecution of religious leaders and others on the basis of speech or beliefs.

"We could find ourselves in a situation where we're accused of inciting someone," Jackson said. "I am categorically opposed to the hate crimes bill."

But Rev. Steve Jolly of Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk disagreed, telling the Virginian-Pilot: "If I stand up in the pulpit and say the consumption of alcohol is evil and we should pour it all in the river, that's a personal opinion. That's very different from saying, 'There's a bar down the road; let's break in and pour all the alcohol into the river.'"



Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 10/28/2009
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Posted Comments:

10-30-2009 07:24
Alice wrote:



Isn't murder of the "if I can't have you, no one can" type considered a "love crime"?



10-29-2009 16:25
JEANNIEMAC wrote:

HATE CRIMES LAW

The "hate crimes" law is tacked onto the end of the military funding bill. !!??
This is a devious way of telling those who want more fundng for the soldiers, that they will get it only if they vote for the homosexual preference bill.



10-29-2009 16:23
JEANNIEMAC wrote:

HATE CRIMES LAW

There are already laws on the books regarding crimes against homosexuals. This law is intended to shut up religious groups and give special treatment to homosexuals.



10-29-2009 14:25
mockNbird wrote:

Hate vs Love crimes

Dear does it matter, What, you think the government makes sense on any other subject? This is just bread and circuses. Give the peasants what they want and we can continue to funnel the money to our friends and associates. At the moment, Hollywood and it's morals rule the roost. Getting beat up as a heterosexual is far more acceptable than getting beat up as a homosexual. Yeah, it is ridiculous but it does pander (pun intended) to a large voting block.



10-29-2009 13:44
does it matter? wrote:



Are there any "LOVE CRIMES"? (" I am only killing you because I love you" )(" I am only going to abuse you because I love you") ( I am only going to steal your valuables because i lovw you") It is just rediculous!!!!




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