This is one definition: "Hate crimes are acts of violence directed against people because of their color, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual identity. They are also acts of violence against the American ideal: that we can make one nation out of many different people."
-- Source Unknown

In a sense, because we are human, and have human emotions and thoughts, we are ALL, at onetime or another, guilty of what SOMEONE might construe as a hate crime. Human nature is immutable, and as long as that is true, we will always have a need to protect ourselves from violence, verbal as well as physical, whether it be from a stranger, an acquainance, a family member, or the government. One could argue that if human nature were to change we would no longer BE human. In a human world there will always be good and evil, pride and shame and yes, love and hate.

The opening definition of hate crimes is incomplete of course, because as humans, we hate and commit acts of violence against people, both verbal and physical, for reasons not confined to those listed. Avarice and jealousy are two that come immediately to mind. I'm sure you can think of others.

Those who promote the concept of hate crimes want you to think of the First Amendment as a sabre that cuts in only one direction, while in actuality it is a double edged sword and cuts both ways. For example, those who TRULY believe in the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran for instance, believe homosexuality to be wrong, and contrary to God's laws. If these people express their beliefs openly, they leave themselves open to charges of committing a hate crime against the lesbigay community. On the other hand it is not considered a hate crime for those in the lesbigay community to speak out, demonstrate against, and otherwise ridicule those who hold these religious beliefs, especially if they happen to be Christian. Is it not a hate crime to act this way against someone, for their religious beliefs, just as it is to act in this manner against someone for their sexual preferences? Do the laws of this land apply to all, or only to a select few belonging to special interest groups? Should any group of people, for whatever reason, have special rights that put their interests above those of all other people? Of course not! The sword must cut in both directions.

Two sayings come immediately to mind; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." and "Live and let live." If the people of this nation, and of the whole world, could bring themselves to live by these two principles, regardless of who and what they are, we could all live in peace.

Is it to someone's advantage to ensure that these diverse groups keep getting in each other's face? Can you think of anyone who contiually plays the race, religion, or sexual orientation card to line his own pockets? Who might benefit from this? Certainly not those who are kept constantly at odds with each other.

Christianity, unlike the other established religions, has taken heat recently and has been banned from public schools and government offices, yet Attorney Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, has explained that the U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment to mean that the mere acknowledgment of religion does not amount to an endorsement of that religion, and therefore, does not violate the First Amendment's "establishment clause."

So, are hate crimes being perpetrated against Christians? You bet, all across the country, every day, even by our own government.

"No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it."
--16 Am. Jur. Sec. 177 late 2d, Sec 256