This post was mentioned on Twitter by wordjourney: Federal hate crimes law challenged by 3 #Michigan pastors: http://bit.ly/9WL4pb...

The problem with hate crime legislation is that it can be broadly interpreted. This means that if a pastor were to address the topic of homosexuality and offer scripture explaining why this behavior along with adultery, murder, stealing, fornication, and a host of other sins can keep someone from the kingdom of God, then someone might object and complain to the authorities.

Of course, how far that goes remains to be seen, but it does open up the possibility of legal action. Were the law not on the books that person’s complaint would be thrown out by a judge. But, with hate crimes the law of the land, lawyers can argue the case perhaps winning with damages being awarded.

I know that this represents a “what if” and not an actual case, at least not yet. But, it could happen.

I only know of one church who actively actively preaches violence or says awful things about homosexuals. I won’t mention their name, but they are in the news enough. And, they do not represent Christians who are called upon all sinners to repent and follow Jesus.

Likewise, the hate crime legislation has always been focused on “a criminal offense committed against a person, property or society which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin” (according to the FBI’s definition). As Christians we should be against criminal offenses. When they committed because of an offender’s bias against religion, we should be especially concerned. Hate crime legislation was designed to protect us against persecution.

Now, there is a group of people that some Christians wish to condemn. These are people that believe homosexuality is not wrong and actively practice homosexuality. Some are event Pastors, Ministers, Priests and Bishops. Others of us might consider homosexuality a sin, and preach against that sin, but we are always called to love the sinner while hating the sin. I do believe that it is wrong to encourage criminal acts against a person because of their theological beliefs, whether it be a belief about whether baptisms should be full immersion or not, or whether it be a belief about whether or not homosexuality is a sin.
.-= Aldon @ Orient Lodge´s last blog ..Bloomers and Lingerie =-.

I have been following the story, but it is hard to ascertain what exactly happened. My main source has been The Wall Street Journal, but I cannot say for certain that their perspective is entirely correct. Nevertheless, there are some things about this group that disturb including naivete when it comes to transporting children internationally.

My wife and I have two sons, both of whom we adopted from Guatemala. The paperwork involved to ensure that our adoption passed muster was mind-boggling. We not only had to get permission from our state (New Jersey) but at the federal level as well as approval from Guatemala. It was a time consuming process, but obviously worth it.

The Baptist group appears to have broken a number of laws and some of the children were not orphaned. I am trying to be kind when I say this, but the woman who headed up the operation was acting foolishly especially as she ignored warnings from several sources in advance that her plan would not work. Still, she pressed on while the nine members of her team apparently had no idea that she did not have the authority to remove the children.

Long story short, this situation doesn’t parallel the Michigan case. As Christians, we are to be subject to the authorities:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:1-2).

As long as those authorities do not attempt to contravene God’s law we are to follow it. That goes for Haiti, the United States, or wherever.

Especially in light that so many people are in Haiti right now trying to help. I just don’t understand why the Haitian government couldn’t extend grace here. I really can’t help but wondering if it is because they are Christians.
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..This is a crazy life =-.

It is amazing to me that we are now living in an epoch that allows us to witness the persecution of Christians. It is not something many America Christians are familiar with but I think we may one day soon be experiencing many similarities to the struggles our sisters and brothers in other countries face on a daily basis.

Thanks for sharing this Matt.
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..This is a crazy life =-.