Freedom. Liberty. Justice. Equality. These are a few of the cardinal principles our nation's forefathers stood upon over 230 years ago as they resisted the oppression of British authority.
Their fervent desire to guard the truths they held to be self-evident is why we celebrate our nation's independence every Fourth of July. So what truly is independence in our nation today?
As we reflect on the Judeo-Christian beliefs our American government was built upon, let us be ever-vigilant against eroding liberties we have long valued and practiced. Americans, even today, are having their freedoms threatened because of their religious beliefs and association. Left-wing extremists are slowly and methodically challenging the liberty of those who speak out against homosexual behavior. Through so-called "hate crime" laws, our nation, like others before it, is moving toward the creation of the un-American offense of "thought crimes" and other curtailments of the freedom of speech.
In October 2004 a small group of Christians, the "Philadelphia 11," were arrested and spent a night in jail for preaching the Gospel at a gay pride event. Although the charges were ultimately dismissed, the intimidation of these citizens was purposeful. Expanded hate crimes laws have the potential to shut down churches and send pastors to prison for simply reading a part of the Bible. How should we respond?
The time has come for every citizen to take action. Violent crimes are despicable, and their perpetrators deserve swift and certain punishment, but the purpose of "hate crime" laws is to attribute violence to certain ideas as a way of attacking and ultimately outlawing those ideas, among them, that homosexual conduct is wrong and unhealthy.
If hate crime laws proliferate, the independence we celebrate this July 4th will be limited to those who promote homosexuality. Our freedom to speak is the cornerstone of our political liberties.
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