Changes

Hate speech, even when legally defined as such, is not a crime in the [[United States]] because speech is protected under the [[First Amendment]]. In some instances, however, hate speech may be entered as evidence that a separate crime, such as assault, should qualify as a [[hate crime]].

Hate speech, even when legally defined as such, is not a crime in the [[United States]] because speech is protected under the [[First Amendment]]. In some instances, however, hate speech may be entered as evidence that a separate crime, such as assault, should qualify as a [[hate crime]].

Many speech codes cover comments about homosexuals. The primary purposed of these "hate speech" codes and "hate crime" legislation in the U.S. and Europe is to end all criticism of homosexuality or homosexual persons by classifying it as "[[Homophobia]]." Thus, it is difficult to criticize that lifestyle. In countries that ban "hate speech," such laws have failed to deter extremism.<ref>Collins, Will (November 13, 2019). [https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/think-hate-speech-laws-will-work-just-look-at-europe/ Think Hate Speech Laws Will Work? Just Look at Europe]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved November 13, 2019.</ref>

Many speech codes cover comments about homosexuals. The primary purpose of these "hate speech" codes and "hate crime" legislation in the U.S. and Europe is to end all criticism of homosexuality or homosexual persons by classifying it as "[[Homophobia]]." That makes it difficult to criticize that lifestyle. In countries that ban "hate speech," such laws have failed to deter extremism.<ref>Collins, Will (November 13, 2019). [https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/think-hate-speech-laws-will-work-just-look-at-europe/ Think Hate Speech Laws Will Work? Just Look at Europe]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved November 13, 2019.</ref>

The [[Liberal|Left]] frequently uses the term "hate speech" in an effort to criminalize speech they personally do not like.<ref>Arvay, Robert (January 10, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/hate-speech-hysteria-is-getting-out-of-control ‘Hate speech’ hysteria is getting out of control]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved January 10, 2019.</ref>

The [[Liberal|Left]] frequently uses the term "hate speech" in an effort to criminalize speech they personally do not like.<ref>Arvay, Robert (January 10, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/hate-speech-hysteria-is-getting-out-of-control ‘Hate speech’ hysteria is getting out of control]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved January 10, 2019.</ref>

Under a new Swedish law, any person who demonstrates disrespect (Swedish: "missaktning") for people's sexual orientation may be sentenced to up to four years in prison.  Needless to say, although the Bible is clear about God's love for fallen mankind and that "God so loved the world…." there are many passages in the Bible that warn about sodomy and its dangers to both individuals and society at large. Those passages – although expressing disrespect for the depraved act of sodomy – may erroneously be interpreted by some people to express disrespect for the people who engage in such activity.  Or as the Kalmar Court verdict against Pastor Green reads: "It is the opinion of this Court that Åke Green, through his statements, has deeply offended the homosexuals as a group and the purpose of his sermon was clearly aimed at showing disrespect for the homosexuals as a group." [http://www.akegreen.org/]

Under a new Swedish law, any person who demonstrates disrespect (Swedish: "missaktning") for people's sexual orientation may be sentenced to up to four years in prison.  Needless to say, although the Bible is clear about God's love for fallen mankind and that "God so loved the world…." there are many passages in the Bible that warn about sodomy and its dangers to both individuals and society at large. Those passages – although expressing disrespect for the depraved act of sodomy – may erroneously be interpreted by some people to express disrespect for the people who engage in such activity.  Or as the Kalmar Court verdict against Pastor Green reads: "It is the opinion of this Court that Åke Green, through his statements, has deeply offended the homosexuals as a group and the purpose of his sermon was clearly aimed at showing disrespect for the homosexuals as a group." [http://www.akegreen.org/]

Similar hate speech laws exist in [[Canada]], in the form of a provision in the [[Canadian Human Rights Act]].  Luckily, attempts to use these provisions to silence religious freedom have been unsuccessful.  [[Muslim]] attempts to accuse [[Maclean's]] magazine of hate speech for merely criticizing the religion were rejected.<ref>http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE49993920081010</ref>

Similar hate speech laws exist in [[Canada]], in the form of a provision in the [[Canadian Human Rights Act]].  Luckily, attempts to use these provisions to silence religious freedom have been unsuccessful.  Attempts by [[Muslim]] to accuse [[Maclean's]] magazine of hate speech for merely criticizing the religion were rejected.<ref>http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE49993920081010</ref>

The [[gay rights]] movement currently attempts to equate racism or [[anti-Semitism]] with the condemnation of homosexual lifestyles. They claim that, like race, sexual orientation is 100% inherited and immutable but there are studies that question this claim.

The [[gay rights]] movement currently attempts to equate racism or [[anti-Semitism]] with the condemnation of homosexual lifestyles. They claim that, like race, sexual orientation is 100% inherited and immutable, but there are studies that question this claim.

Nonetheless, the strategy of activists is to insist that condemnation of sin is a type of "prejudice" equivalent to a civil rights violation. They want people of conscience, who already condemn antisemitism and racism, to regard any critique of homosexuality as an expression of "hate".  

Nonetheless, the strategy of activists is to insist that condemnation of sin is a type of "prejudice" equivalent to a civil rights violation. They want people of conscience, who already condemn antisemitism and racism, to regard any critique of homosexuality as an expression of "hate".  

In 2014, the mayor of [[Houston]], a leftist and the first openly-homosexual mayor of the city, briefly issued subpoenas on pastors, ordering them to turn over sermons concerning homosexuality.<ref>Starnes, Todd (October 14, 2014). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/14/city-houston-demands-pastors-turn-over-sermons.html City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref><ref>Starnes, Todd (October 29, 2014). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/29/houston-mayor-drops-bid-to-subpoena-pastors-sermons.html Houston mayor drops bid to subpoena pastors' sermons]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref><ref>Hallowell, Billy (August 3, 2015). [https://www.theblaze.com/news/2015/08/03/houston-pastors-hit-back-against-mayor-with-lawsuit-alleging-their-religious-freedoms-were-trampled/ Houston Gov’t Subpoenaed Pastors’ Sermons. Now, They’re Fighting Back.] ''The Blaze''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref>

In 2014, the mayor of [[Houston]], a leftist and the first openly-homosexual mayor of the city, briefly issued subpoenas on pastors, ordering them to turn over sermons concerning homosexuality.<ref>Starnes, Todd (October 14, 2014). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/14/city-houston-demands-pastors-turn-over-sermons.html City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref><ref>Starnes, Todd (October 29, 2014). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/29/houston-mayor-drops-bid-to-subpoena-pastors-sermons.html Houston mayor drops bid to subpoena pastors' sermons]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref><ref>Hallowell, Billy (August 3, 2015). [https://www.theblaze.com/news/2015/08/03/houston-pastors-hit-back-against-mayor-with-lawsuit-alleging-their-religious-freedoms-were-trampled/ Houston Gov’t Subpoenaed Pastors’ Sermons. Now, They’re Fighting Back.] ''The Blaze''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref>

A pastor in [[Northern Ireland]] was charged and tried for making comments in one of his sermons against Islam that were considered "grossly offensive." Although he was found not guilty, he should have never been tried in the first place, as Christians should be able to freely express and advocate their biblically-based theological positions.<ref>Turpin, Simon (January 8, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/simon-turpin/2016/01/08/northern-ireland-pastor-not-guilty-criticising-islam/ Northern Ireland Pastor Not Guilty of Criticising Islam]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref>

A pastor in [[Northern Ireland]] was charged and tried for making comments in one of his sermons against Islam that were considered "grossly offensive." Although he was found not guilty, he should never have been tried in the first place, as Christians should be able to freely express and advocate their biblically-based theological positions.<ref>Turpin, Simon (January 8, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/simon-turpin/2016/01/08/northern-ireland-pastor-not-guilty-criticising-islam/ Northern Ireland Pastor Not Guilty of Criticising Islam]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 9, 2017.</ref>

==Attempts to censor conservative and right-wing views==

==Attempts to censor conservative and right-wing views==