IN THEORY:Free speech vs. civil rights

The House of Representatives last week voted to extend hate crimes legislation to add protections for gay people equal to the protections for race or creed. Some leaders have called the legislation a victory for civil rights. Others say it seeks to establish special rights, and threatens freedom of speech rights of religious leaders who argue that homosexuality is immoral. What do you think?

Every crime against a person is in some way a hate crime. But sometimes the victim is chosen because he is a member of a certain group, then the crime takes on the aspect of hatred and terrorism. Laws should, of course, protect the weakest members of our society. But remember, that includes the immigrant and the pre-born baby. The danger of hate crime laws is that they could go too far and interfere with freedom of speech, especially for churches and ministers who preach the teachings of their faith. What if they teach that fornication, adultery and homosexual activity is sinful? Are they guilty of hate crimes? If we make it a criminal offense for churches and their ministers to teach Judeo-Christian principles, we violate our 1st Amendment.

When churches condemn immorality, it is not because they hate anyone. They want to teach what is best for mankind. For 2,000 years, we have taught that the procreation of children ought to be exclusively by husband and wife committed to each other in a lifelong bond of marriage. Every child has a right to be nurtured and protected by parents who love him and by a society that will support him. Consequently, we teach that all sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful and that children should not be placed for adoption with same-sex couples. Will that make the churches guilty of hate crimes?

THE REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church

Glendale

Anyone committing a hate crime against someone because they are gay should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I feel that this new legislation is justified since Congress has a responsibility to enact laws that protect the basic civil rights of every citizen regardless of sexual orientation, race, color, creed or religion.