OPPOSE HATE CRIME BILL, SAYS PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGIAN

By Robert Gagnon

This is to alert you to some new materials of mine on the Bible and homosexual practice.

But first I want to mention a very important vote in the House of Representatives for my American readers:

"Hate Crime" Bill. Please call your U.S. Representative and ask him or her to oppose the Kennedy-Smith Hate-Crimes Bill that passed the U.S. Senate earlier this year. The House of Representatives will probably vote on this bill any day now (9/7/04). This bill makes "sexual orientation" a specially protected category along with race, gender, and religion. Violent crime is already covered by existing statutes.

A "hate crime" bill does not reduce violent crime. It rather establishes homosexual and bisexual behavior as valued practices that society wants to promote. It opens up the possibility of criminal prosecution of persons who speak out publicly against the harmful effects of promoting homosexual practice.

By establishing the valued character of "sexual orientation" diversity, it provides a legal stepping stone for other homosex-promoting legislation (including workplace and school promotion of homosexual practice, civil unions, gay marriage), further threatening the civil liberties of any opposed to homosexual propaganda and indoctrination. It also ignores the fact that orientations toward sex with children and with multiple sex partners are "sexual orientations." I know it gets tiring making those calls; but that small annoyance is nothing compared to the long-term damage that will be done to you, your children, and the church if the bill passes.

To find out who your U.S. Representative is and/or to get a direct phone number to your Representative's office go here: http://capwiz.com/fof/dbq/officials/. Or contact your Representative by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

New materials on my website:

"JOHN KERRY ON 'GAY MARRIAGE': WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU AND THE CHURCH?" at www.robgagnon.net (scroll down a bit)

The following articles can be seen with a short description at http://www.robgagnon.net/ArticlesOnline.htm:

Ed Schroeder Parodies the Lutheran Faith Robert Gagnon to Stacy Johnson: Two Positions on Homosexual Practice, Not Six (With Postscript) "Why 'Gay Marriage' Is Wrong" "On Boswell and 'Men who lie with a male' in 1 Cor 6:9" "PUP Task Force Report Distorts the Unity/Purity Message of Ephesians"

The article on "Why 'Gay Marriage' Is Wrong" aims at a general audience; the pieces on Stacy Johnson and the Peace, Unity, Purity Task Force are directed at a Presbyterian (USA) audience; and the article on Ed Schroeder is directed at a Lutheran audience. All articles, though, contain material of relevance beyond any particular denomination.

Mars Hill Audio has come out with the full 45-minute presentation of my interview on the Bible and homosexual practice; and, since my last mailing, I have new information about how to order my 2 DVD set "Truth in Love" by phone. Go to www.robgagnon.net and scroll down a bit.

I hope these materials are of help to you.

Blessings,

Rob

Robert A. J. Gagnon, Ph.D. Associate Professor of New Testament Pittsburgh Theological Seminary gagnon@pts.edu 412-362-5610 x 2205

END