01/27/05
Secularism’s Logical End : Making Biblical
Christianity Illegal
Secular humanists are lowering
the bar for what counts as crime, such as so called hate speech laws and laws
against discriminating on the basis of “sexual orientation”.
Here is one case in point, excerpted from http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41916
:
City will prosecute Christian protesters
Federal judge denies emergency appeal by 'Philadelphia 11'
Posted: December 14, 2004 zzz
1:00 a.m. Eastern
A federal appeals court denied an emergency appeal to stop prosecution of 11
Philadelphia-area Christians who allege the District Attorney's office retaliated
against them for exercising their constitutional rights at a homosexual event
in which they were arrested and later charged with felonies.
As WorldNetDaily reported, on Oct. 10, the group was "preaching God's
Word" to a crowd of people attending the outdoor Philadelphia
"OutFest" event and displaying banners with biblical messages.
After a confrontation with a group called the Pink Angels, described by protesters
as "a militant mob of homosexuals," the eleven Christians were arrested
and spent a night in jail.
Eight charges were filed, including three felonies and five misdemeanors. The
charges were criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless
endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse,
disorderly conduct and obstructing highways.
Early last week, the American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy filed
papers in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent the city
of Philadelphia from prosecuting the case.
Judge Petrese Tucker denied the Philadelphia 11's request, and the CLP immediately
appealed the decision to the Third Circuit, which upheld it.
"This turn of events is beyond belief," said Brian Fahling, senior
trial attorney for the CLP.
At the hearing, the CLP presented what it called "undisputed" video evidence
that captured the "Outfest" events on tape, showing the Philadelphia
11 cooperated with police and were continually harassed by the Pink Angels.
None of the Pink Angels was cited or arrested.
"Despite the undisputed evidence placed before the court, our action for emergency
relief was denied not once, but twice," Fahling added. "Many had thought
an outcome like this ended at Selma.
"It seems that the Philadelphia 11 have become second-class citizens in
the City of Brotherly Love," he said.
A preliminary hearing takes place today at 9 a.m. in Philadelphia.
The ethnic intimidation charge stems from Pennsylvania's "hate
crimes" law – to which the newest "victim" category of
"sexual orientation" was recently added. The protesters say a
Philadelphia police officer told them that because they were on a public
sidewalk they were permitted to move freely through the event. A few minutes later,
however, they were arrested and removed.
The Philadelphia 11 face a maximum penalty of 47 years each in jail…”
And here is another case in
point:
“ILLINOIS CHURCHES PROTEST NEW
STATE LAW
Illinois churches are protesting a new state law that bars them from
"discriminating" against homosexuals, contending it robs Christians
of their First Amendment freedoms. The
bill was signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The measure adds "sexual
orientation" to the state law that bars discrimination based on race,
religion, and similar traits in areas such as jobs and housing. Illinois is the 15th state to prohibit
discrimination based on "sexual orientation." + Office of the Governor, 207 State House,
Springfield, IL 62706; (217) 782-0244
This type of legislation is the logical end of secularism, which cannot ultimately tolerate Biblical Christianity.