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Catholic League Shows Robinson's Hate Crime Legislation Destined to Attack Faith

League warns that C-250 "is an illiberal and illegitimate use of the criminal law."

OTTAWA, September 16, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic Civil Rights League has issued a list of nine objections to including the term sexual orientation in current hate crimes legislation. The list, faxed to Members of Parliament who are scheduled to vote on the legislation on September 17, points out that the bill's sponsor - homosexual activist MP Svend Robinson - has already demonstrated that he intends to use the legislation to restrict religious freedom.

Citing Robinson's conduct toward Catholic priest, Fr. Tony Van Hee - a peaceful protestor on Parliament Hill, the CCRL warns MP's that Bill C-250 is meant to criminalize and suppress opposition to homosexual conduct and lifestyles. Those who state publicly that homosexual acts are immoral will be liable to prosecution for inciting hatred, even if they also insist that the homosexually active persons must be treated with respect and compassion. "This," the League protested, "is an illiberal and illegitimate use of the criminal law."

The League recounts: "Mr. Robinson objected to a sign held by a peaceful protestor on Parliament Hill: "Homosexuality - objective disorder tending to deviant acts." When Mr. Robinson threatened to have the Sergeant-at-Arms remove it, the protestor did so himself. The sign was later replaced with one that read, "Sexual orientation. Defeat of reason. Protecting disorder." Mr. Robinson seized that sign and threw it over a wall when the protestor declined to remove it. It was later reported that the RCMP were investigating the legality of the signs."

The League stressed, "Existing law is sufficient to stop people from advocating violence against homosexually inclined or active just as it is sufficient to stop people from advocating violence against reporters or teachers."

"The problem is not with making it illegal to incite hatred," explained Thomas Langan, President of the League. "Advocating hatred is always seriously wrong. But laws making it illegal must respect fundamental social, religious, and legal traditions, as well as relevant political realities. Bill C-250 fails on all counts."

"Parents who object to homosexual conduct, like those supporting the School Board in Surrey, B.C., will not react kindly if police are sent to their doors to investigate accusations that they are inciting hatred," warned Langan. "This will bring the administration of justice into disrepute and undermine public support for government and public education."

For the full text of the League's objections, see
http://ccrl.ca/resources_CCRL_C250.html

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