Christians are always accused of pushing their beliefs, what about the following?

To Lil Sprite.

EVERYONE has these rights.

Why are you complaining? Let me ask you, are you for/against gay marriage? I'm assuming since you're christian, you're against.

Otherwise, you would not be christian.

Anywho, Why don't those people get those rights?

THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES COMPLAINING.

I'll predicate this by saying I'm against any crime being termed a hate crime, but the difference is gays have no choice in the matter, whereas an angry tirade against a bishop is a difference in philosophy rather than a fundamental denial of another persons right to life and liberty.

If instead of clergy, it was some genetic group which people are born into, like Jews, redheads, short people, or bald people then it would equally be considered hate speach.

I think your comment about pedophiles is just sensational garbage, no one is offering protection of the law to pedophiles. However I agree with everything else. I think that all sexual orientations should be protected by the law. Nothing should excuse the hate that is spouted by the religious. Protecting people is not the same as forcing your religious views on others. The only argument against homosexuality is based on religious beliefs. And since people have different religious beliefs, all people must be protected equally. Freedom of religion also encompasses freedom FROM religion. Separation of church and state exists for a reason. Attempting to legislate your religious beliefs is unacceptable. However protecting others from the hate that arises from your religious beliefs is the act of a responsible government and a responsible society.

you seriously lack the understanding of the gravity at which a "speech" must incite a person to take action.

basically the pastor would have to go out and encorage a person to TAKE ACTION not just that "gays were sinners" or "evil" or something like that.

even hate speech is protected by the first amendment- however, hate speech that incites IMMEDIATE action is not.

so unless the pastor/priest told someone to immediately pick up a bat and go "fag bashing" this would not be applied or it would violate the pastor's right to free speech- which is constitutional.

a mere federal law will not trump a constitutional amendment.

the words of the pastor have to be speciically tailored to encorage action-

not just a whackjob interpreting that way too.

EDIT:

i'm seriously appalled at how many people here who champion the rights to gays to get married and individual rights so whimsically toss aside the constitution when it opposes thier desired result.

the constitution applies to everyone- straight, gay, atheist, theist, etc. all are afforded its protections.

if this is homos who want to get married, nazis who want to march and speak hate or a pastor who wants to talk about how evil gays are.

that is why the constitution is superior to the bible, superior morality and it strives for EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.

not "just us" like religion does.

That's pushing a basic Christian belief, that outcasts (such as homosexuals) should be protected and treated well. That's why Jesus was kind to prostitutes, adulterers, Samaritans, and tax-collecters- under the same laws and teachings that said that homosexuals were evil, some of these people were condemned. Jesus instead wanted us to treat people with compassion. It's pretty obvious.

Christian teachings on homosexuality? The basic Christian teaching is to love your neighbour as yourself- if people were inducing hate crimes against Christians we'd want this law passed, so we should pass it for homosexuals.

Laws have to be passed when society refuses to co-operate with its secular nature. Anti sexism against women had to be made a law as well for the same reason.

There is no place in today's society laws, that panders to the totally unsubstantiated dark age theory about a giant invisible sky fairy.

People should go back to school and pay attention, that way the dark ages can be left where they belong.

Moralizing is the root of all evil.

Practicing Shaman... quantum physics rocks.

From what I just read, it is not so much the case of Christians pushing their religion on other individuals because proper Christians would not commit such an act, but more so the fact that this federal bill that has passed will now restrain the pastors and preachers from freely practicing their religion, which is protected under the first amendment of our Constitution. Proper Christians are taught and know that people are given free will and the freedom to choose from right and wrong, although other denominations of the Christian faith may practice otherwise opposite of this teaching. The fact that Christians are so widely accused of pushing their religion on others has more to do with what is written in the Bible. God says many things and teaches people how to walk a good, righteous and moral life style in his name. Just because some people find what is taught in the Christian religion offensive to how they live their lives does not mean that they have to listen to it and abid by it, they can easily turn away and ignore it because they have the free will to do so. Christians preach the word of God not just because they can but because they want to share with the world the wonderful joys and happiness that comes with following God. We don't continuously preach to someone who chooses not to listen. If they do not want to listen to what is being taught then that is their choice and, they are allowed to make that choice not to listen, and thus so we will move on away from those who do not want to listen and go on to teach others who do want to listen. Again free will is a God given right that he afforded to all human beings. If you choose not to follow the word of God and follow the laws and teachings of the Bible then that is your choice. Just don't go off and say that Christians are pushing their religion on you when we are not. If you don't like it then ignore it, it's up to you but don't accuse us of forcing you to follow and listen to the teachings of God. Also I want to add that the federal bill that has been passed to prosecute those who preach Christianity is absolutely criminal because it directly impedes our First Constitutional amendment to freely practice religion and those who had a hand in making this bill pass are the TRUE ENFORCERS because you want everyone to accept your way of thinking and your ways of life and beliefs when you have no right or lawful claim to enforce people to just surrender and accept what they don't want to accept.

Ironically, those same liberals will let Islam preach against homosexuals, Jews, Wiccans, liberated women, etcetera...without batting an eyebrow. And if this law ever comes up against a Muslim offender the ACLU will step in and raise holy hell. Who's saying this? An atheist who is pro gay, pro Wiccan, pro women's rights, pro children's rights (like the right to not be forced to marry a fat slobbering old pervert), pro racial equality...liberals-my people-are self destructing and I don't mean in a 'in twenty years they won't be a political force' way but rather 'in twenty years, everything they think they stand for will be a stoning offense' way.

I was gonna answer but then I clicked on the question and I didn't wanna read all that. Read that first little paragraph. It's a free country and I'm willing to go to jail for what I believe in. I don't need protection.

Protecting the persecuted minorities and pushing a religious agenda are two completely separate things.