A fast-tracked congressional plan to add special protections for homosexuals to federal law would turn “thoughts, feelings and beliefs” into criminal offenses and put Christians in the bulls-eye according to opponents.
“H.R. 1592 is a discriminatory measure that criminalizes thoughts, feelings and beliefs [and] has the potential of interfering with religious liberty and freedom of speech,” according to a white paper submitted by Glen Lavy, of the Alliance Defense Fund.
“As James Jacobs and Kimberly Potter observed in Hate Crimes, Criminal Law, and Identity Politics, ‘It would appear that the only additional purpose [for enhancing punishment of bias crimes] is to provide extra punishment based on the offender’s politically incorrect opinions and viewpoints,’” said Lavy.
The proposal has been endorsed by majority Democrats on the committee, and already has 137 sponsors in the full House, making it possible it could be voted on in a matter of days or weeks.