"Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.” Proverbs 26:26

The death of any one at the hands of those who hate is shameful and should be punished – and it is. There are laws already within every state to bring to justice those who took the lives of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, and those laws were enforced in both cases.

There was no need for the president to sign such a bill – attaching it to the $680 billion defense authorization bill.

What lies behind this bill shrouded in secrecy and deception ?

“Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit, through deceit, they refuse to know Me declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:6

By signing the bill, Obama has signed a law making it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.

The expanded federal hate crimes law, hailed by supporters as the first major federal gay rights legislation, was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.

The hate crimes measure was named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998, and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas the same year.

Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality

- perhaps there is cause for concern.

To loud applause, Obama hailed the hate crimes measure in the bill as a step toward change to "help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray."

When the bill won final congressional approval last week, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese called the hate crimes measure "our nation's first major piece of civil rights legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."

Earlier this month, Obama told the Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest gay rights group, that the nation still needs to make significant changes to ensure equal rights for gays and lesbians.

"Despite the progress we've made, there are still laws to change and hearts to open," he said in an address at the group's annual dinner. "This fight continues now and I'm here with the simple message: I'm here with you in that fight."

When the bill won final congressional approval last week, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese called the hate crimes measure "our nation's first major piece of civil rights legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."

"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject the LORD 'authority, and insult His glory." Jude 1:7-8

Obama said - “Today, I’m proud to say that we have proved that change is possible”

“You therefore beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness.”
2 Peter 3:1