Pastors will test Matthew Shepard Act by "inciting hate crimes"

Religious conservatives still outraged over the passing of hate crimes legislation have decided to test the limits of the new law with a publicity stunt involving incendiary hate speech directed at gays and lesbians.  In order to "prove" that their God-given right to harass LGBT folk is being threatened, a group of pastors plan to travel to the nation's capital and ratchet up the rhetoric in hopes of getting themselves arrested.  (Can you believe this shit?  And these zealots have the audacity to refer to hate crimes legislation as the "Hate Christians Law.")

You can't miss the irony here.  Christianity is supposed to be all about "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Do Unto Others," right?  So in order to challenge the new law, a posse of homobigots led by Pastor Gary Cass (president of the so-called Christian Anti-Defamation Commission) is heading to Washington DC on November 16th where they will assemble outdoors and shout hatred and even foment violence against gays - y'know, to see how far they can go before being arrested under the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

From the creepy World Net Daily:  The "Rally for Religious Freedom" in front of the Department of Justice in Washington is intended to force Attorney General Eric Holder either to address the issues or be put in a position of ignoring those who say they are violating the provisions of the federal law, Cass said.  "We're basically going to defy the law, and challenge it," Cass told WND. "We're going to declare the whole counsel of God, including those parts that some may consider 'inciting a hate crime' to see if the attorney general is going to come down and arrest a group of peaceful clergy exercising their First Amendment rights."

They want to get arrested so that they can assume the role of martyrs.  They'll whine piteously:  "See? See?  We told you this would happen!  Just look how the government tramples our right to agitate against gays and lesbians!  See how brave and noble we are when we engage in hate speech!  Please, bring us our crosses!" 

Don't expect subtlety from this assembly of assholes.  They're yearning to be handcuffed.  I imagine they'll take a page from Pastor Steve Anderson's playbook and start demanding the execution of homosexuals.  (He got away with it and became a sort of insta-celebrtiy, like balloon boy.)  They'll do their damndest to out-Phelps the Phelps Clan, they'll try to out-Savage Michael Savage.  The spittle will fly. 

Still, I don't think D.C. tourists will appreciate hearing anti-gay slogans shouted as they make their way toward the Lincoln Memorial.  The police will be standing by, bored expressions on their faces.  The local news might make an appearance.  I doubt anyone will be arrested during Cass & Company's little hate fest, which will only serve to make the participants look like what they are: a bunch of delusional preachers with way too much time on their hands.

(Pictured: Pastor Gary Cass)

Comments

[Jennifer]

Tyler: MEEEEEEEEEEE! Hell, I'll supply the fucking bullets.

[Dovey]

I have a friend that looks like the stereotype of Jesus...if it wouldnt wierd him out Id suggest making out with him in front of these bigots and then telling them they ARE WRONG...Jesus does love me!!!

[rhoda swartz]

I don't typically accuse homophobes of being closeted, I think it's an unprovable stereotype; however, I have to agree with the people here speculating that Cass doth protest too much. It's that particular style of mustache on a guy of that particular age group...

Action needs to be taken against this man, but it will be a sweeter victory when he has to explain the 'wide stance' or the underage rent-boys or whatever later on.

[PG]

Those who protest the loudest do so to hide their sins.

[Frank]

I wanna see Carson Kressley show up wearing a t-shirt saying "real flamer" and brandishing a flame thrower with a full tank of Napalm 877.

[Mary Hayes]

"so ya, we're here, but often people don't like to dignify these things with counter protests, because often the counter protests make the initial protest into a media worthy story, whereas without a counterdemonstration they aren't interesting enough to make the news."

This is one of the reasons why I regard the so-called "gay friendly" churches as not much better than the openly hateful ones. They're always first on the scene with written statements and resolutions and other trappings of bumper-sticker liberalism but when it comes to speaking truth to hate? They're nowhere.

[Michael]

This is when we need a group of pro-equality Christians--gay and straight--to come and surround this group and hold a prayer vigil. They should bring signs reminding onlookers of Christ's commandment to treat others as we want to be treated. Under no circumstances should they verbally engage the radical, pro-hate crimes, anti-gay activists. Instead they should hold hands, pray, sing songs such as "We shall overcome" and silently hold signs. You fight hate with love.

[Chris]

For all the Christian commentors who post that how unfair it is to label all Christians as bigots because of these people, they say if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Stand up and speak out against the people who are hijacking your religion and giving all Christians a bad name. Stand up and side with equality organisations and stand beside them and face these bigots in the streets.

But no, you hide in your churches and let these people speak for all of Christianity.

That's why all Christians are being labelled in these times.

[ozguynyc1]

Um...how about we just follow the new law and lock them up.

[Jim Beyer]

What a load of idiots. Best thing the DC officials can do is ignore them. Of course they completely miss the point of the law but then they have completely missed the point of Jesus's ministry and passion so why should we be surprised?

FWIW
jimB

[Rylie]

It is illegal to incite violence. The police are within their rights to apprehend them, regardless of the Matthew Shepard Act. Everyone keeps forgetting that there's already a line that defines their right to free speech!

[dejah]

Xtians who don't condemn these thoughtless bigots are condoning them, period. You all can whine all you want about how these ugly hateful assholes are ruining Christianity, but if you don't stop your own brethren from making pathetic examples of themselves, then you're part of the problem.

The irony of Christianists shouting hatred against gays, against women who dare to claim their rights as human beings, and against those of us who do NOT believe in any kind of magical fairy gods is not lost on the rest of us. We simply sit here and boggle at the hatred and ugliness that comes spewing from the mouths of Christians. And, if you don't renounce the bigots, then you are, as I said, part of the problem.

[dejah]

just a followup thought: the picture of that preacher is sooo cute... I'm sure when he's in jail, he'll be somebody's bitch.

[kelsea o]

dude. pacifist approach:

Don't make too much of a fuss about it just yet. If the rallying folks do not get arrested then the walrus(i.e. Gary Cass... the mustache seriously reminds me of a fat, unfriendly, pointy tusked walrus. srsly) will freak out over the fact that the hate crimes act was nothing more than a "bluff." He will go home to all of his Christian lackies and be all like, " Huzzah! we won! The homos are all just a bunch of wimps who are too afraid to stick stick to their guns against our superior Christian beliefs!"
While all of those shenanigans are a'happening, we will be sitting back in our rainbow rocking chairs, chuckling at the radicals and letting them have their five seconds of misguided glory. Then the LGBT will have a mini press conference and we will be like "Ummmm no silly walrus, you just misinterpreted the law. This is NOT Canada. We support the First Amendment. Way to go, Mr. Smarty Pants." LGBT community: 1, Radical Walrus and friends: zilch. WOOT!

[Jason Toyk]

I think the day of their little hate fest would be a great time for a Paintball-marker wielding flash mob !!!

No shots above the knees though ... just a thought .. they sound like they could use a little humbling. These people need a serious wake up call !!

[Jessica Sideways]

*sigh* Is it really so hard for these people to truly see the nature of what they are doing or will these people just be ignorant, hateful asshats until they die in a world that is starting to become, albeit quite slowly, fair towards gay people? I mean, seriously, who cares if a non-Christian is gay, lesbian or transsexual?