Should pedophiles be placed in a federally protected class to ensure their lifestyle is not maligned by someone having the audacity to say pedophilia is reprehensible or, heaven forbid, even sinful, since such speech could incite a deranged individual or group to ill-treat them? I believe most people would emphatically say no to such a question while wondering what the inquirer had been smoking. And the thought of the federal government to even consider such protection to pedophiles does seem ludicrous. But if you have not noticed the branches of the U.S. government specialize in such absurdities.

Senate bill S.909 (House bill HR1913) is a case in point. Known as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (also as the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act) this bill would add gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity to the list of protected categories under current federal hate crimes laws.

Passage of this bill is high on the agenda of homosexual activists. They want all negative speech about homosexuality to be outlawed. And if this bill passes they will get their wish. If anyone, even a pastor speaking from the pulpit, dares to say homosexuality is immoral or a sexual perversion, he can be charged with a federal felony if his words incite someone to commit an act of violence against a homosexual. But as outrageous as this scenario is it is but the tip of a legislative iceberg.

While some (most?) who read this bill see the addition of sexual orientation as only pertaining to homosexuality, others are very aware that the destruction this “iceberg” is capable of inflicting upon traditional moral values goes much deeper.

When Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas, read this hate crimes bill he recognized the danger of leaving the term “sexual orientation” undefined. He repeatedly asked in committee and on the House floor, where the bill was approved 249-175, to have clear definitions given to terms in the bill to avoid any misunderstandings of the lawmakers’ intent. The majority Democrats refused, effectively leaving the definition of “sexual orientation” up to a standard definition used in the medical field. That is where the danger lies.

We have become accustom to thinking of sexual orientation as pertaining to heterosexuality and homosexuality (the tip of the “iceberg”). But the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists 30 sexual orientations. Therefore, since the term “sexual orientation” remains undefined in the hate crimes bill all 30 of these orientations as defined by the APA will become federally protected behaviors.

Among the 30 orientations are: exhibitionism, incest, voyeurism, zoophilia/bestiality, and pedophilia. It is for this reason critics of the bill call it “The Pedophile Protection Act.”

One would think that once the possibility of a law under consideration by legislators is shown to have the potential for being used to protect pedophiles from prosecution, and in fact legalize such behavior, all measures necessary to ensure such a possibility would be taken. Such is not the case.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, understanding the size of the “iceberg” they were approaching via this hate crimes bill offered an amendment to the bill in committee that said, “The term sexual orientation as used in this act or any amendments to this act does not include pedophilia.” Astonishingly (or not so astonishingly), the majority Democrats would not accept this restriction.

Further, Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., after having heard the concerns Gohmert expressed and the list of sexual orientations a hate crimes law would protect, responded by saying: “This bill addresses our resolve to end violence based on prejudice and to guarantee that all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability or all of these ‘philias’ and fetishes and ‘isms’ that were put forward need not live in fear because of who they are. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this rule…” It is one thing to vote for a law not understanding how it will be used to advance vile, obscene, and perverse behaviors and lifestyles. It is quite another thing to vote for it, not only knowing it will be used in such a way, but proudly boasting that such an outcome is desired. Hastings and those like him are guilty of trying to impose sexually depraved tyranny upon America.

What we are seeing is the State becoming god. But the State has a problem it must overcome before this divine ascension can be realized.

Christians who advocate traditional moral values are a nagging conscience in the ears of the spiritually dead and dying. And just as we long to silence our conscience’s insistent, irritating voice when we have disobeyed that which we know to be right, so those who desire to engage in perverse lifestyles wish to silence the nation’s conscience – Christians.

There are two ways to silence a conscience. The correct way is to admit we are guilty, ask for forgiveness, and to determine that in the future we will live according to the dictates of our conscience. The second way is to continue to ignore the voice that irritates us until we become deaf to it, seek ways to justify our behavior, or “kill” (quit reading the Bible, quit going to church, quit praying, etc.) the voice at its source.

Obviously, the majority of homosexuals and others who desire to live morally depraved lifestyles are not going to admit they are guilty of wrongdoing, they are not going to ask for forgiveness, but rather are determined to live a life sating the pleasures of the flesh. Thus, their “conscience” (Christians and those who hold to traditional moral values) must be silenced.

In order to do this they come before their god (the State), pay homage to It by offering the sacrifices It desires: time, money, material resources, and flattery. In return the State rises up to slay the thoughts and words of those who seek to bring life to a spiritually dying world.
When It succeeds in doing this the State will have effectively become god, demanding obedience from every thought, word, and action of It’s subjects. Those who bow in worship to It will be rewarded with material blessings; those who refuse to bow and worship will find themselves unable to buy and sell and thrown into the fiery furnace of tribulation.

The rise of the Beast (or Anti-Christ) is not something that happens in a spectacular event. It is something that is happening now. For the rise of the Beast is simply the State becoming god. This has happened throughout history. The only difference between the “Beasts” that have already arisen and the one spoken of in Revelation is the extent of the Beast’s kingdom upon this earth. And make no mistake. When America willfully sanctions sexually perverse lifestyles the kingdom of the Beast is greatly expanded.

Thus, we have a choice. Will we take the Mark of the Beast (which is so much more than a physical mark upon the body) in return for enjoying a life free from material discomfort and threat to life and liberty? Or will we refuse to bow to the Beast – State – and risk everything for the Truth?

When Peter and John where arrested for preaching about Jesus to the Jews they were arrested and put on trial by the religious authorities. “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20 NASU). Sometimes the most dangerous form the Beast takes is that of Religion.

For myself, by the grace of God, I solemnly declare that I will not be silent; I will not bow my knee in worship to the State. And I do not hate saying so.

Soli Deo Gloria!