Redefining Hate Crimes?

Congress is trying to expand the categorize that define a hate crime by adding attacks based on sexual orientation. Congress will add to the changes that were made after Martin Luther King J.R.’s assassination in 1968 which included crimes carried out because of race, color, religion, or national origin. The expansion will include crimes carried out because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The bill was thought to be proposed during Bush administration but faced a veto threat by the president but now has support during Obama’s administration. Many that oppose the bill argue that pastors that give sermons against gays could be persecuted as violence against gays but supporters of the bill explain that charges could only be made if “bodily injury” is involved. I believe that this bill can be easily interpreted to the benefit of people and will create problems between church and state. Since church and state should be separate I believe that the bill is playing with the line between church and state. The bill that is being proposed by congress is getting involved with church because the church has defined believes about sexual orientation and if the bill is interpreted to the benefit of some people, churches might be prohibited by law to express their believe concerning sexual orientation.