Demand Honesty – Sometimes You’ll Get It

Timothy Kincaid

July 16th, 2009

The Illinois Family Institute is decidedly anti-gay. They believe that your “lifestyle” is inherently evil and they know no limits in their fight against “militant homosexual activists.” IFI is one of only 12 Anti-Gay Hate Groups listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

But even those persons at IFI who have dedicated their lives to anti-gay activism are approachable. And recent events demonstrated this to me.

At this time yesterday, the IFI had a flyer on their website which they were encouraging their followers to pass out at church (it was conveniently sized to fit in a church bulletin). “Urgent!” it warned and then listed just why Illinoisans should fear Senate Bill 909, the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Bill.

As its second bulletin point it declared:

It Infringes on Freedom of Speech and Religion.

Miss California , Carrie Prejean, could have been charged with a “hate crime” for her views on same-sex marriage if S. 909 was already law. What could constitute a “hate crime” under this bill is a homosexual man or woman claiming they were discriminated against and hurt by what was said.

Now, those who read here know that this is complete nonsense.

The bill says nothing about “claims” or “hurt by what was said.” Instead it provides states with federal assistance for a crime that

(A) constitutes a crime of violence;
(B) constitutes a felony under the State, local, or tribal laws; and
(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or tribal hate crime laws.

And I think we all know that Carrie’s babbling about “opposite marriage” was not a violent felony. Indeed, if hate crimes legislation could lead to Carrie’s arrest, it would have; Nevada has hate crimes protections in place.

So I contacted the Illinois Family Institute and had a lengthy email exchange with David E. Smith, its Executive Director. Smith was not quick to agree that his claims were baseless. He decidedly did not want to admit that his claim was hyperbolic, dishonest, and a flat-out attempt to lie to those who use IFI as a resource a claim based more in desire to influence belief about the bill than in any real possible scenario. *

But I appealed to Smith’s integrity and the commands of his (and my) faith not to lie, and ultimately Smith had to admit – mostly to himself – that his flyer was not truthful.

And he changed it. And I commend him for making that change.

It’s not now a glowing endorsement of the bill, but at least it reads a bit more honestly:

It Infringes on Freedom of Speech and Religion.

To see where “hate crime” laws lead, we can look to other countries where such laws have been passed, and also to our nation\’s public universities. More than 230 public universities have so-called “speech codes” that are being used to restrict Christian speech. The majority of these speech codes censor any speech that challenges homosexual behavior.

Now I don’t think that S. 909 will lead to “speech codes”. But, unlike the false claims about Carrie Prejean, this slippery sloap is at least a legitimate concern and a credible issue over which reasonable people can disagree.

I am sure that our readers will continue to see false, offensive, or inflamatory statements in the many anti-gay writings of IFI. But that is not why I tell this story.

I want to let this serve as a reminder that the most effective strategy is not always to go in with guns blazing and call an opponent a homophobic lying bigot. Even if you think they are.

Now some folks have no interest whatsoever in the truth. They lie because that’s what lying liars do. But some – even those most extreme – don’t want to think of themselves as liars. They want desperately to “win”, but perhaps not at the cost of their immortal soul.

And I think that we could have a more reasoned debate, tear down a few walls, find some common ground, if we insist that all of us – those who agree and those who disagree – speak the truth, hold ourselves with honor, and demand honesty.

Sometime you’ll get it.

* The Illinois Family Institute objected to my characterization of their efforts as “a flat-out lie”. As I cannot state for certain what went on in their heads, I will concede that perhaps they were so confused by their own rhetoric as to actually believe that Carrie Prejean could have been arrested for saying that she supported “opposite marriage”.

Donna

July 16th, 2009

It’s nice that he changed it so it’s no longer lying-through-his-teeth; however, the headline “It Infringes on Freedom of Speech and Religion” is still false.

If he’s worried about a slippery slope, that headline should read something like:

“It sets a precedent which may lead to laws restricting speech and religion.”

I’d contact him again and be like, thanks for the gesture, but you’re still wrong.

Timothy Kincaid

July 16th, 2009

Donna,

It is seldom useful to argue over opinion. In this case it would be a waste of time.

“Infringes on Freedom” is a matter of opinion. “This law defines” is a matter of fact.

Donna

July 16th, 2009

Another point: if he’s concerned about slippery slopes, he should reject hate crimes statutes in their entirety — including protections in place for race- and religion-motivated crimes.

If hate crimes laws led to restrictions on speech, it wouldn’t just affect “Christians” preaching against homosexuality; it would affect anyone making fun of racial differences, mocking religious stereotypes, or joking about disabled people.

I can understand objections to hate crimes laws in general; they essentially create “thought crimes,” punishing a crime more harshly depending on the criminal’s motive. It’s easy to see why people may challenge hate crimes laws in general.

However, IFI and their ilk attack new bills to expand hate crimes protections because it includes a group against which they are personally biased — and that’s the only reason.

They blow hot air about how hate crimes laws lead down a slippery slope, yet do not attack previously-in-place laws that protect race, religion, etc. (Laws under which THEY THEMSELVES are protected.)

If we’re going to give them kudos for honestly, let’s wait until they’re actually honest. Right now, they’re only telling half-truths.

Donna

July 16th, 2009

Timothy,

But it doesn’t infringe on anyone’s freedom. It just doesn’t. That’s a fact.

Burr

July 16th, 2009

Quite true Donna.

I’m actually not fond of hate crime legislation myself because of that.

However, if we’re going to have them on the books, they need to be applied equally.

Jason D

July 16th, 2009

“I can understand objections to hate crimes laws in general; they essentially create “thought crimes,” punishing a crime more harshly depending on the criminal’s motive. It’s easy to see why people may challenge hate crimes laws in general.”

Donna, you clearly don’t understand what a hate crime is. It doesn’t punish thought. It punishes action.

So what’s the action? Harassment, assault, intimidation. That’s the action.

Someone writing “My Town is Cool” on the side of a business in spray paint is just committing one crime – vandalism.

But someone writing “Jews Must Die” on the side of a synagogue in spray paint is committing two crimes. They are using vandalism to commit harassment and intimidation. Picture this synagogue in a predominantly jewish community and it’s not hard to see that harassment is part of the equation.

Surely you see why mere vandalism is much less of an issue than vandalism with a threatening message?

Bigots often intimidate and harass their victims and community with petty crimes, the kind of thing that serves no jail time. Fines, slap on the wrist, and they’re out the door to commit another misdemeanor to harass and intimidate their victims. This becomes a campaign of harassment, often with the victim terrorized and finally murdered. Why not nip it in the bud when it first happens rather than waiting until they escalate?

Prosecuting as vandalism doesn’t do enough, hate crime law enhancements however, act as a deterrent to more harassment crimes (hate crimes).

The thing to remember about hate crimes is the word “crime”. If no crime is committed, then there CAN’T be a hate crime. Which is why these aren’t punishing thought, they’re punishing action.

And even if they did punish “thought”, then you should also be worried about murder vs. manslaughter because the difference is based on intent — in other words, thought.

Are you suggesting that we should just have one charge, murder, and we apply it regardless of circumstances? Well, it would take the guesswork out of sentencing if nothing else.

lurker

July 16th, 2009

“To see where ‘hate crime’ laws lead, we can look to other countries where such laws have been passed”

Ocourse this is just ridiculous, as everyone knows. “Other countries” (e.g., Canada, Sweeden) have hate speech laws; we have the first amdendment. No local law is going to trump anyone’s first amendment rights in this country, and that’s a really glorious thing.

lurker

July 16th, 2009

“To see where ‘hate crime’ laws lead, we can look to other countries where such laws have been passed”

Of course this is just ridiculous, as everyone knows. “Other countries” (e.g., Canada, Sweden) have hate speech laws; we have the first amendment. No local law is going to trump anyone’s first amendment rights in this country, and that’s just a really glorious thing.

andrew

July 17th, 2009

lurker – and that first amendment should insist that we prosecute on the actions of an individual, not on his personal politics (or animus). i’m no believer in hate crimes laws, and i don’t believe in picking this group or that for those “special protections” we’re always defending ourselves against (this also has the benefit of being a PR nightmare).

just a point here: as a 5’6″ tall gay male, i’ve noticed something rather striking. i’ve never been assaulted by someone making a point of my sexuality. but i have been targeted any number of times because of my size. are we going to set up a height-based test for hate crimes next?

Jason D

July 17th, 2009

lurker – and that first amendment should insist that we prosecute on the actions of an individual, not on his personal politics (or animus).

Then we would have to do away with manslaughter or murder — because the difference between those two crimes is based upon intent, animus(or lack thereof).

If you accidentally kill someone, and you didn’t mean to, that’s often charged as “manslaughter” because you demonstrate no animus.

Should someone who lost control of their vehicle and plowed into a pedestrian serve the same time as a cold blooded killer who planned the murder for month?

Jason D

July 17th, 2009

For those who insist that we should only punish actions and not “thoughts” or “intentions” or “animus”.

Do you not know that establishing motive is part of criminal investigations? It’s also the basis upon which we sentence lawbreakers?

Think about it, if we are to ignore intentions then everyone who acts in self-defense can be charged with murder and (where applicable) given the death penalty. Self-defense is a motive, an intention, a thought. But if the action ends in the death of someone else — if we go by the “only punish the action” rationale — then a cold blooded killer is no different than a father protecting his family from an intruder.

By the same reasoning, we already had “thought crimes” before we ever even considered hate crimes legislation. We have always dealt severely with those who callously take life with no remorse. Or steal without regret. By that same rationale, we’re punishing those people for their feelings AND thoughts!

Christopher Waldrop

July 17th, 2009

I feel it’s futile to ask this, but I’ll ask anyway: is David E. Smith encouraging any of his followers to “build bridges”? I don’t think those of us who are willing to be respectful and who attempt to reach out should change our tactics, but at some point shouldn’t we expect people on the other side to also be respectful and make some attempt to reach out?

In spite of a small change in the language he’s used, David E. Smith is still a liar. He may not like being called a liar, but is pointing out a single example of his dishonesty really going to make him change his behavior in the long term?

Timothy Kincaid

July 17th, 2009

Christopher,

Perhaps it’s only a small change. But I genuinely hope that I can encourage David Smith to ask himself if he really believes what he’s saying or if it has a shred of truth.

For too long, anti-gays have never even asked themselves that question. The see or hear something anti-gay and just repeat it or embellish on it.

No one in their camp calls them on it, and they don’t care what we write on our blogs – they think we are the liars.

But if we can gradually point out that their statements are untruthful, perhaps over time some of them will choose to either only tell the truth or, at least, refuse to repeat the lies of others.

The most important part of the process is to get them to really think about whether they are lying. I believe that some of them actually care whether they are.

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.