How can beliefs be 'hate speech'?

How is it that a church group that believes that marriage should be between one man and one woman, and that fidelity in marriage should be kept sacred, deserves the label "anti-gay" and is also guilty of "hate speech?" Only in the eyes of the accusers, and evidently, The Herald. The article was filled with venom. As far as I can see, the ones guilty of hateful speech and intolerance are the accusers.

The Watchmen on the Walls Web site states their ministry is to intercede on behalf of all people. They are Messianic believers of Jewish origin. They are Christian. Joe Fuiten and Ken Hutcherson are men who also receive their motivation and inspiration from the holy scriptures. Is not the Bible basically the foundation of our legal system and has it not been honored from the founding of our great nation?

I can understand why such a conference is necessary. The American public needs to know what is at stake here. It is our ability to speak our minds and live by our convictions. Is there no longer going to be opportunity to do so here in America? Is freedom of speech only reserved for the "gay community?"

As for Fuiten and Hutcherson, these men are great leaders. They deserve to be honored and respected, not vilified.

Have you any idea that Pastor Hutcherson has pioneered a program that places children to be adopted in homes free of charge? That something like 4,000 people attend Antioch Bible Church?

Fuiten also pastors a mega-church with several branches of a Christian school.

This article is an excellent example of why "hate speech" legislation is opposed by persons who value the right of free speech. If such legislation passed, it would put men such as those named above in prison or into bankruptcy. God have mercy on us.

Bernie Jensen
Everett