The Hate Crimes bill is still pending in Congress. In the meantime, lawmakers are being bombarded with opposition to the measure they say gives special rights to homosexuals. Michael Marcavage with Repent America calls the bill ‘unnecessary.’

“We already have laws to protect those who act violently toward other people. And they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

A good example is Wyoming. The state doesn’t have a hate crimes law on the books, but was able to put hate crime offenders away for life, in the murder case of Matthew Shepard. Marcavage says a hate crimes law goes against the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees equal protection for all Americans.

“The bill is unconstitutional because it will give special protections to certain groups of people which is in clear violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

Rusty Thomas with Elijah Ministries says the bill should be renamed the Criminalization of Christianity Act.

“This legislation, if it passes, I believe, would have a serious impact upon the freedom of speech and freedom of religion for Bible-believing Christians.”

The Hate Crimes Bill has already passed through the House; it’s anybody’s guess when the Senate will take up its version.