Changes

Opponents charge that hate crime and hate speech rules amount to an erosion of [[First Amendment]] guarantees of freedom of religion, [[free speech]], and freedom of press. In particular, they object to rules or laws which equate condemnation of sin with prejudice.  Proponents claim that the law should consider that hate crime harm society as a whole more than just random violence, thereby justifying a higher penalty.

Opponents charge that hate crime and hate speech rules amount to an erosion of [[First Amendment]] guarantees of freedom of religion, [[free speech]], and freedom of press. In particular, they object to rules or laws which equate condemnation of sin with prejudice.  Proponents claim that the law should consider that hate crime harm society as a whole more than just random violence, thereby justifying a higher penalty.

Hate crime legislation imposes additional punishment for crimes held to be motivated by such "prejudice" without making "hate speech" a separate crime.

Hate crime legislation imposes additional punishment for crimes held to be motivated by such "prejudice" without making "[[hate speech]]" a separate crime.

Some critics claim that hate crime legislation is a stepping stone for a lifestyle to become protected under anti-discrimination laws.  However, many states have enacted hate crime statutes without then taking the separate step of amending anti-discrimination laws.

Some critics claim that hate crime legislation is a stepping stone for a lifestyle to become protected under anti-discrimination laws.  However, many states have enacted hate crime statutes without then taking the separate step of amending anti-discrimination laws.