Last week, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) objected to House passage of a bill that would expand hate crime laws to cover sexual orientation. His reason, apparently, is that homosexuality is a choice. At the same time, Boehner feels that religion is immutable. In other words, your religion is set from birth.In an email, Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith told CBS News that Boehner "supports existing federal protections (based on race, religion, gender, etc) based on immutable characteristics."
CBS was quick to state that gender is not currently listed as covered among hate crimes. The GOP claims this legislation amounts to prosecuting "thought crimes."
Northeastern University professor Jack Levin said the following about Boehner's stance:
"[...] to use immutability as a criterion doesn't make any sense at all. Especially if he supports the current stand. Religion is clearly not ascribed. It's not built into the organism. People can change it at any time and people do.While much research indicates that homsexuality is not a choice, but a biological condition, conservatives tend to ascribe to the belief that it is a choice. Nevertheless, it's hard to understand Boehner's contention that religion is immutable.
"It sounds to me as though the criticism is focused on the addition of gays and lesbians to the list of protected categories at the federal level. That seems to be the problem."
4 comments:
Boehner's stance is based on faulty perceptions and is an under-the-table tactic intended to avoid extending protections to LGBT individuals. Happily, he and his cohorts were outvoted; now it's up to the senate to keep the ball rolling. Boehner and his ilk serve as yet another reminder that a large segment of society stll regards gay men and women, among various minorities, as second-class citizens - or worse. That is the salient point of my recently released biographical novel, Broken Saint. It is based on my forty-year friendship with a gay man, and chronicles his internal and external struggles as he battles for acceptance (of himself and by others). More information is available at www.eloquentbooks.com/BrokenSaint.html or authorautobahn.webs.com/bookpeek.htm.
Mark Zamen, author
It's a 'blessing' that H. R. 1913 has been passed by The House and passed on to The Senate. Boehner's opinion is totally faulty. A person may be raised in a certain religion but that does not make that person religious nor a member of that religion. In most modern religions a person must accept the tenant's of the faith they were raised in to become a member of that religion/church. And that person may not abide by those tenants the full length of their life.
However. A LGBT person is BORN that way. I am the parent of a fully healthy, sane, productive gay man. His being gay has nothing what so ever to do with choice. If he had a choice he would be heterosexual.
Enough with narrow minded uneducated people such as Mr. Boehner.
Anonymous to protect the privacy of my son.
Hello .. is not a religious person, or members of that religion. In most modern religions, a person must accept the tenant of faith that were raised to be a member of this religion / church.
Memory Stick.
Then you obviously don't know anything about Christianity. All you have to do is confess your sins and you are good to go. You don't need to actually believe. I could go to any church right now and say I'm a christian. The church would take me in as one of their own and wouldn't question a thing about it. I should know Ive done it to prove a point. There is not vetting to make sure the person is legit. They don't care if you actually believe as long as you don't cross them. If you do or even accuse them of being wrong they cry victim and say you are spurring out hate speech. I suggest you read up on his policies and watch a few documentaries and you will see he is a religious nut job.
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