Senate Close to Silencing Religious Speech Nima Reza, CitizenLink (15 July, 2009) -“The “hate-crimes” bill, being considered as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, would create a new class of crimes based on a victim’s “actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.” And, pastors who preach against homosexuality could end up prosecuted if they are found to have “induced” a hate-crime against a self-identified homosexual by preaching from the Bible.”

Essentially this bills states that anyone who feels opposed to homosexuality must remain silent or else they will be prosecuted.  Is this even close to the beliefs our nation was founded upon…silencing the voices we disagree with?  It is our right as humans and our liberty as Americans to voice our opinions.  If this bill passes, what will be next?  Is it now the government’s right to decide the motivation for an offender’s actions?  No, without clear evidence, it never was and never should be.