There is a big difference the two, one is expressing religious beliefs and the other is bigotry.
I was in a heated discussion during Obama’s inauguration with a friend about Rick Warren and he could not see the difference. I said that Rick Warren was a bigot and my friend said that he was only expressing his religious views.
In a Time magazine article, Rick Warren said that "in the hierarchy of evil ... homosexuality is not the worst sin." and in my opinion that is a religious belief. However, he goes on to say, “he thinks allowing a gay couple to marry is similar to allowing ‘a brother and sister to be together and call that marriage.’ He then helpfully added that he's also ‘opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage.’ The reporter, who may have been a little surprised, asked, ‘Do you think those are equivalent to gays getting married?’ ‘Oh, I do,’ Warren immediately answered.” and I believe that is hate speech when you compare gay marriage to incest and pedophiles.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a bigot as, “a person who is 'obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance."
When people express their beliefs based on their religious tenants and believe that homosexuals should not married or adopt children or be allowed in the military, they are expressing their views, which I do not have a problem with them expressing. However, I believe that they cross the line when they say that homosexuals are pedophiles and rape young children. They are using hate speech and one of the definitions of hate speech is that it is used to demonize.
Angelle N. Guyette writes in an opinion article in the Pittsburg Post Gazette about a hearing in Allegheny County for an anti-discrimination bill that…
"Sinner! God himself will judge you," a fellow snarled as I passed. Angry men and women stared me down, posturing, as I made my way through the crowd.
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One minister's face contorted as he spoke, "Homosexuality is offensive because it is a sin. People choose to commit this sin. My congregants should not have to hire gays and condone a sinful lifestyle they find offensive."
These are religious beliefs and I believe they have a place in public discussion. However, compare that to what Curtis Bowers who is an Idaho representative from District 10 said in an opinion column in the Idaho Press-Tribune,
They [the Communist Party USA] had a three part agenda. They would use their manpower, influence and funds to back anything that would destroy our families, businesses and culture.
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Finally, to destroy our culture, they needed us to abandon our heritage of religion and morality. They believed the homosexual movement, if accepted, would begin to effectively extinguish these values.
By equating homosexuality to the supposed down fall of the American way of life creates fear, which leads to hatred of homosexuals and therefore is hate speech.
The People for the American Way “Right Wing Watch” states in their “Marriage Equality Opponents Blur Distinction Between Civil And Religious Marriage” that “Like many other Religious Right political strategies, this is grounded in falsehood and deception.” It is through these distortions that generate an atmosphere of distrust and hate against the LGBT community.
The Southern Poverty Law Center list twelve anti-gay organizations as hate groups. They define a hate group, as “Anti-gay groups are organizations that go beyond mere disagreement with homosexuality by subjecting gays and lesbians to campaigns of personal vilification.”
Yesterday, at the Legislative Office Building (LOB) there were two Lobby Days, the Anti-Discrimination Coalition’s Lobby Day to help pass a law to add gender identity and expression to the state Anti-Discrimination statutes and the other Lobby Day was by a group who wants to prevent the passage of the law. According to the Connecticut Post, the group sent an email that said, "While we need as big a turnout as possible, it is important to make our members aware of this so that those with small children can plan accordingly," ….. "It is perfectly fine to simply come and attend the rally and not the Lobby Day. We are asking you to do whatever you can to protect religious liberty and the family!" What are they trying to insinuate? And does the email fit the Southern Poverty Law Center’s definition of a hate group? Why did they send the email, was it to be used as an excuse to claim that they could have had a larger turnout if it was for the ADC group? In addition, consider what was published by WTNH, “It appears [they] organized the rally when they discovered that a group called the Connecticut Anti-discrimination Coalition planned to lobby lawmakers today on behalf of transgender and gender non-conforming people who want to add transgender protections to the non-discrimination law.” What was their motive?
Let us encourage public debate but let us speak up against hate and lies.
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