Preaching About to be Criminalized!
- Rick Scarborough
- Jan 14, 2009
Preaching about to be Criminalized!!!
Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee confirmed that she reintroduced a federal Hate Crimes Bill, H.R 256, to Congress this past week. We have to stop this from happening! This legislation is an immediate threat to our First Amendment right to free speech! We already have hate crime legislation. This legislation is designed to add homosexuals to existing legislation.
The tragic consequence of this legislation is that it forces law enforcement to assess motivation to a crime. Add to that the fact that Lady Justice is no longer blindfolded, meeting out justice to the criminals. Hate Crimes legislation forces Lady Justice to raise her blindfold to see if the person meets a certain criteria before justice is administered.
For example, if your Grandmother is mugged the criminal may get 6 months probation, but if the victim is a homosexual, the crime immediately becomes more serious and the criminal may face 5 years or more, depending upon the mandated sentences affixed to the crime by the legislation.
A similar bill was passed in Canada in 1971 making it a federal crime to criticize homosexuality quoting the Bible from the pulpit or over the airwaves. Pastors in Canada face a $5,000 fine for the first offense and a fine plus prison time for every offense thereafter.
This bill is titled the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. It is a more condensed version of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 1592, which did not gain final Congressional approval last year, thanks to the threat of a Presidential veto. Rep. Jackson-Lee also submitted a companion bill, H.R. 262, which is known as the David Ray Richardson Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. This bill will allow the federal government not only to get involved in states’ efforts to “prevent” hate crimes but also to assist hate crimes victims. These bills are fully supported by President-elect Obama and are expected to pass the Democrat-dominated Congress swiftly unless we make our voices heard!
Truthtellers.org made a compelling video called “Hate Bill Lies: Exposed.” It highlights three lies that are being used to push the “necessity” for these bills. We have added the fourth.
LIE #1 – There is an urgent need for Hate Crimes Legislation.
Truth – The FBI reported that out of 13 million crimes reported annually only 7,500 could be considered “hate crimes.” This is only 1/15th of 1%!!!! This shows that our current legal system is working to punish crime, regardless of the motivation.
LIE #2 – Only hate crimes will be punished; free speech will not be taken away.
Truth – An Anti-Hate Law was passed in Canada in 1971. This soon progressed to protect homosexuals from “verbal violence” as well. Now it is illegal to even quote Scripture against that lifestyle without fear of punishment.
Lie #3 – The Federal Hate Crimes Bill contains no language that threatens free speech.
Truth - The current bills are patterned after the 1968 Federal Hate Law, which states “whoever commits an offense against the U.S., or aids, abets, COUNSELS, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principle.” – U.S. Code, Title 18, Sec. 2
Lie #4 – This bill will protect homosexuals
Truth – This legislation will stifle Biblical preaching and thus prevent Pastors from sharing with their congregations and homosexuals that homosexuality is wrong and that those who practice such sin without repentance will not only suffer the consequences in this life, but in the life to come. (See I Corinthians 6:9ff)
The small print is clear – you could be indicted if someone simply overhears you speaking out against homosexuality, or any other group protected by the law, and commits an act of violence as a result.
There are two main groups that want this passed: the homosexual lobbyists and the Anti-Defamation League. This is a Jewish organization that wants to make it a hate crime to criticize Israel or the Jews in any way. They are responsible for the Hate Crimes laws in Canada, England, Western Europe and Australia. They have already succeeded in limiting free speech in those countries and are intent on doing the same here.
If we value our First Amendment right to free speech we will not let this pass without a fight. You can call your representative at 202-225-3121 or 877-851-6437 and leave a message telling them you want free speech preserved and not to vote for the Federal Hate Crimes Law.
Please join thousands of others by signing our petition. We will collect the signatures until February 10th. I will personally hand deliver this petition to Sheila Jackson Lee and will communicate to her allies in Congress that you agree with millions of other Americans that homosexuals should not be considered a special class of citizens entitled to special protections.
Select here to sign our petition against the Hate Crimes Bill.
THE LAST DAY TO SIGN THIS PETITION WILL BE FEBRUARY 10, 2009!!!!
Obama’s Global Poverty Act
The United Nations began a crusade to stop global hunger and mortality in 2000. The United States joined more than 180 other countries at the Millennium Summit. A so-called Millennium Declaration was made that established eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as its mission. According to the official UN website these include the following:
1. End extreme poverty and hunger;
2. Achieve universal primary education for all children;
3. Promote gender equality and empower women;
4. Reduce child mortality;
5. Improve maternal health;
6. Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and other diseases;
7. Ensure environmental stability by reducing loss in marine areas, land conservation, less deforestation and extinction of animals, improving fish stocks, more drinking water, better sanitation facilities;
8. Develop a GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP for development. (The website said specifically that billions of this consisted of US Dollars)
This global partnership will be accomplished through net debt relief grants, humanitarian aid, bilateral development aid and contributions to multilateral organizations. It also calls for the further development of an open-rule based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system.
Then-Senator Barack Obama sponsored the Global Poverty Act, or Senate Bill 2433, in Feb. 2008. It passed quickly through the Senate. Joe Biden tried to push the act through his committee quickly as well, without any hearings. IT COMMITS THE U.S. TO SPENDING 7 PERCENT OF THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT ON FOREIGN AID. The commitment amounts to a 13 year total of $845 billion, over and above what the U.S. already spends.
The Obama Senate office issued a statement about the bill: “We are halfway towards this deadline, and it is time the United States makes it a priority of our foreign policy to meet this goal and help those who are struggling day to day.”
A global tax will be necessary to obtain the money for this to happen. This bill also commits the U.S. to comply with the UN Millennium Goals detailed above.
You can fax your elected officials in protest of being asked to shoulder the burden of the world’s poverty through more taxation by selecting the link below:
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
We are exhorted in Scripture to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Now more than ever, Christians need to be interceding for Israel and peace throughout the region, but if the Second World War taught civilized people everywhere anything, it taught us that you cannot appease evil and you must not desire peace at any cost.
In 2005, Israel pulled 8,500 Jews out of the Gaza strip with the promise of peace but there has been anything but peace. Hamas has since fired more than 3,600 rockets into Israel, according to Michael Cardish, deputy head of the Israel Police bomb disposal unit. During the past three years, Hamas has booby-trapped homes and buildings in the Gaza strip, built thousands of anti-tank weapons, mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices). They've also constructed nearly 20 miles of tunnels, giving Hamas gunmen the ability to duck into one tunnel and re-surface in a completely different location. This has been likened to the labyrinth of tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam war. In short, Hamas has been waiting for exactly what is happening and they have no intention of backing down.
Hamas is a terrorist organization that makes no apology for its ultimate goal of the destruction of Israel. When they fire rockets on Israel, it is no haphazard drill - they check their engineering work and carefully study their maps. Many believe the six-month ceasefire was a carefully thought out strategy to acquire more weapons and build up their military power in order to force Israel to comply with their demands. Hamas raises, trains and willingly sacrifices its sons as suicide bombers in order to achieve its goal and in dedication to Allah.
The city of Sderot sits in the southern part of Israel. The north end of the Gaza strip lies 800 miles from Sderot's industrial zone and 1 km from the center of the city. It has been hit continuously by rockets fired from the Gaza strip by the terrorist organization Hamas. Due to its close proximity, even the smallest 60 mm rocket can land and cause innocent civilian death. During the recent six month ceasefire between June 19 and December 18, Hamas and other Islamic groups fired more than 300 rockets into southern Israel. Source: Sderot Media
As pastors, it is essential that we educate ourselves and our people concerning the state of Israel, it is imperative that we show our support for Her in every way possible. We must make sure our government backs Israel because God has made it clear that He will bless those that bless the Jews and curse those who curse them. Isaiah 40:1-2 holds a Scriptural mandate that we are to "comfort Israel and speak tenderly to her." The modern-day restoration of Israel is no accident but the fulfillment of God’s Word in Ezekiel 36:24-26 and Luke 21:24. And although war is at hand for Israel, it will not always be so as Isaiah speaks of a time when God's law will go out from Jerusalem and "nations shall not learn war anymore." (Is. 2:1-4). Jesus said in John 4:22 that "Salvation is of the Jews," and Paul speaks openly in Rom. 3, 9 and 15 about how much of what we hold dear as Christians has come from the Jewish people.
Source: International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
There is much we can do, from the standpoint of financial and prayer support. As pastors and leaders we absolutely MUST know the facts and teach our people what they need to know and how they can help. We MUST recognize that we are watching God's Word unfold before our very eyes. Prophecy is being fulfilled and we get a front-row seat. And most importantly, we must teach our people to see God's sovereignty and plan even in the midst of war and bloodshed. Source: Christians United for Israel
Plans for Expansion and Increased Effectiveness in 2009
The staff at Vision America is making big plans for expansion and increased effectiveness in 2009. Over the past few weeks Dr. Scarborough has had numerous meetings with leaders of some of the most effective grass roots candidate recruitment and training organizations in America. Plans are developing for a cooperative venture allowing Vision America to funnel thousands of volunteers into these organizations increasing Vision America’s ability to effect the needed political changes a national renewal effort demands.
There are also plans for expanding the reach and effect of the Report you are now reading. Your comments regarding how we can better serve you are read and welcomed. Click here to make your suggestions.
Finally, in cooperation with Dr Scarborough's church, we are planning to grow America's premier online church. Soon you will be able to participate online in Dr. Scarborough's church, Harvest Point, where Biblical truth is applied to the culture every Sunday. Stay tuned for more information.
You can listen to archived sermons by clicking here and choosing from dozens of timely messages.
To make a donation to keep us doing vital work at Vision America Action, SELECT HERE.
For any gift of $25.00 or more, I will send a free copy of my book, Enough is Enough, which was rewritten last spring and re-released by Frontline Publications, as an expression of my appreciation for your partnership in this battle.
Fighting the good fight, because Jesus is Lord and America is worth it!
I am...Your friend,
Dr. Rick Scarborough; President
