Dealing with hate takes many forms

The legislation, previously passed by the Assembly, is expected to be signed into law by Gov. George Pataki, despite opposition from the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops in matters of public policy. It seems like an odd position for religious leaders to be taking. After all, shouldn't they be in the forefront of battling hatred?

Yes, says the Conference, but not through this particular piece of legislation. "Preventing bias-motivated violence against any person is fully consistent with the central teachings of the Church regarding the sanctity of human life, the equality and dignity of each human being, and the fundamental right of each human being to enjoy respect, peace, justice and fairness," said the Conference. But the problems with the current hate-crimes bill are many, it added, including:

* its "over-reliance on incarceration" in lieu of alternative forms of punishment;

* its lumping together of all sorts of motivations for violence, whether they are "deep-seated" prejudices or isolated fits of anger;

* its failure to give judges leeway in recognizing those differences when they sentence offenders.

Better legislation, argue the bishops, would recognize that hate comes in many forms and can be dealt with in many ways. The Conference has offered optional ideas for punishing those who hate others because of their race, color, sex, disability, national origin or sexual orientation. Instead of jail, for example, the Conference suggests education and rehabilitation to "address the ignorance and prejudices that underlie" hate crimes.

Regardless of what sort of legislation passes, Catholics must still work against prejudice in themselves as well as in their families, schools, parishes, communities and workplaces. The result of their action will be not only fewer hate crimes but less hate.

(06-15-00)