From the Boston Globe:
Fabricated fears about hate crime legislation
By Cornel West and Sylvia Rhue | September 25, 2007
Americans who understand basic principles of justice have no problems with the hate crime bill known as the Matthew Shepard Act. This legislation, now awaiting a vote in the Senate, would finally protect the many citizens who are targeted for violence simply because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, and it would provide law enforcement the necessary resources to investigate bias-fueled brutality.
Unfortunately, some clergy across the nation have joined together to oppose this bill in an aggressive and divisive manner. For instance, conservative African-American leaders - most notably Bishop Harry Jackson of Maryland's Hope Christian Church - have been inundating the media and faith communities with the message that this legislation will allow police to storm into worship services and arrest clergy if they speak against being gay. They make the incendiary allegation that the bill will create "thought crimes" by punishing people for thinking ill of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
(snip)
The hate crimes bill provides resources for the investigation of violent actions - not beliefs, thoughts, or words. The proposed federal statute does not punish nor prohibit free expression of one's religious beliefs. As University of Chicago law professor Geoffrey R. Stone recently concluded, "The argument of the pastors that the proposed legislation in any way threatens their right to preach their version of the Gospel is, to be frank, ridiculous."
(snip)
... listen to the words of Gordon Smith, the Republican senator from Oregon who is cosponsoring the Matthew Shepard Act. Before his fellow senators, Smith declared, "I believe that the moral imperative that underpins hate crimes legislation is simply this, and it comes from sacred writ: that when people are being stoned in the public square, we ought to come to their rescue."
In supporting the noble imperatives of the Matthew Shepard Act, we all have the chance to work toward a community that protects and respects the lives and dignity of all citizens instead of bows to falsehoods and bigotry.
Cornel West is a professor at Princeton University. Dr. Sylvia Rhue is director of Religious Affairs at the National Black Justice Coalition in Washington.
Link:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/09/25/fabricated_fears_about_hate_crime_legislation/How to reach out to the "religious right": Tell them in plain terms that they are wrong. Explain why.
Can all of them be "reached"? Doubtful. But IMO, it's kind of like "reaching out" to the elusive Independent Voter. You speak your piece, you stand by your principles, and those who are willing and able to listen will come around to our side if they feel we've said something worthwhile.
Those who don't -- or can't or won't -- weren't going to budge anyway. They're waiting for us to become more like them. And that's not
Reaching Out. That's
Caving In.
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