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'Religious Left' agenda advances on hate crimes

A person who follows religion and politics more closely than I tells me the decision of two major conservative Christian leaders, Joel Hunter and David Gushee, to sign on in support of legislation outlawing "hate crimes" against gays and lesbians, is a pretty big deal:

Rev. Joel Hunter's statement, from the release:

I would think that the followers of Jesus would be first in line to protect any group from hate crimes. He was the one who intervened against religious violence aimed at the woman caught in the act of adultery. He protected her while not condoning her behavior. This bill protects both the rights of conservative religious people to voice passionately their interpretations of their scriptures and protects their fellow citizens from physical attack. I strongly endorse this bill.

Full release -- which also includes more usual Religious Left suspects like Rev. Jim Wallis -- from the group Faith in Public Life after the jump.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2009

http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/

Christian Leaders: Hate Crimes Bill Is Necessary, Moral



Influential Christian leaders who have not previously spoken publicly on this legislation are declaring their support for the hate crimes bill that Congress has taken up this week:



Dr. David P. Gushee, Distinguished University, Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University:



As a Christian, I believe in the immeasurable and sacred worth of every human being as made in the image of God and as the object of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ. In our sinful and violent world, there are tragically very many ways in which this sacredness is violated. This bill deserves Christian support because its aim is to protect the dignity and basic human rights of all Americans, and especially those Americans whose perceived "differentness" makes them vulnerable to physical attacks motivated by bias, hatred and fear. The bill simply strengthens the capacity of our nation's governments to prosecute violent, bias-related crimes. I am persuaded that the bill poses no threat whatsoever to any free speech right for religious communities or their leaders. Its passage will make for a safer and more secure environment in which we and all of our fellow Americans can live our lives. For me, the case for this bill is settled with these words from Jesus: "As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me" (Mt. 25:40).



Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, Pastor, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Washington, DC:



A strong Biblical imperative that I believe stands at the heart of my Christian faith is the preservation and protection of the inherent dignity of all persons. The Scriptures are replete with examples of God's concern and compassion for those seen as "other" by many. As an American, I know the protection of personal dignity and human rights is a principle that makes us that much stronger as a nation, and certainly does not stand at odds with freedom of expression. Passage of the Hate Crimes Bill will help to ensure the safeguards of the law for those who are victimized by acts of bias and hate. I welcome the opportunity to support this bill as an expression of my Christian witness, and my belief in our nation's highest aims for all its citizens.



Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland – A Church Distributed:



I would think that the followers of Jesus would be first in line to protect any group from hate crimes. He was the one who intervened against religious violence aimed at the woman caught in the act of adultery. He protected her while not condoning her behavior. This bill protects both the rights of conservative religious people to voice passionately their interpretations of their scriptures and protects their fellow citizens from physical attack. I strongly endorse this bill.



Jim Wallis, President and CEO, Sojourners:



A fundamental Christian belief is that every person is created in the image of God. Too often in our country when violence has been directed against gay and lesbian people, most Christians have been painfully silent. The hate crimes legislation now in the House is designed to strengthen our society's ability to prosecute these crimes. It contains additional explicit protection for free speech and religious liberty, rights which are already guaranteed by our Constitution, and allows for continued free expression of speech about controversial issues around homosexuality, gay marriage, etc. Regardless of the theological differences we may have on these issues, Christians should all agree on the fundamental protection of human rights. That is why I support this legislation.



Stephen Schneck, Director, Life Cycle Institute, The Catholic University of America:



The need for this legislation is patently obvious. Time and again we have seen the horrible spectacle in American history-indeed, in our own time-of gay and lesbian Americans hunted down, murdered, mutilated, attacked, and discriminated against. Existing laws and rights have proven little remedy in diminishing these crimes of hate. Would that every American could someday reverence the dignity of all human beings as they are created by the hand of God. Sadly events continue to document how far this nation must yet go toward that divine measure. Gay and lesbian Americans need the protection this legislation offers.