Pat Robertson is heading into obscurity quickly, so I often don't spend any time contemplating his outdated, outmoded conservative fear-based politicizing. However, this story caught my eye. Pat Robertson "fears" that the new hate crime law "The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Bill" signed Wednesday by President Obama will have a chilling effect on "muzzling pastors in church".
Now, the Religious Right has nothing but fear to promote its agenda of hate and intolerance. Voted out of the legislative and executive branch, it must rely on its old standby "let's make everyone afraid" because then, they don't think clearly and act reactively out of self-defense.
By making this ridiculous claim, Pat Robertson seems to suggest that Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were acting out of religious conviction when pummeling Matthew to one inch of his life that cold October evening. Does he honestly think that the two of them went to church, heard a "fire and brimstone" sermon of hate, and then went out gay hunting? Did the two of them repeat the rosary while slugging Matthew? Did they pontification about baptism, the Holy Spirit, or even the crucifixion when they tied his hands to together?
I think not. Here's my advice for the minister.
Mr. Robertson, you just need to come out and say the truth. This isn't about putting a noose on a pastor, or an attack on religious freedom (hello, first amendment, hello?).
This is simply about you not liking gay people.
This is about you not wanting to protect people based on an immutable trait.
This is about you not wanting the federal government to protect its citizens.
This is about your fear, your bigotry, your homophobia, your intolerance.
If you "came out" on the television, and simply just admitted it, then I would have a sliver of respect for you.