Then, thanks to People for the American Way, it hit me. Remember this:
That graphic was featured during a Congressional debate over hate crimes legislation (although not the last one) and it claimed that if sexual orientation was added to existing hate crimes legislation, pastors would be arrested in the pulpits for declaring homosexuality to be a sin.
As we all know, sexual orientation was added to hate crimes legislation last year and since that time, guess how many pastors have been arrested?
None. Nada. Zip. Not even that zany preacher on the corner in my neighborhood who gives sermons to the rush of traffic.
In other words, religious right groups told an outright lie when they claimed that hate crimes legislation would lead to the arrest of pastors.
Now usually when someone tells a tale which turns out to be false, they have the good taste not to use the same lie in a different battle.
But good taste has never been the religious right's forte.
According to People for the American Way:
You really have to marvel at the Religious Right's strategy in opposing ENDA as they seem intent on using the exact same playbook they used against hate crimes legislation despite the fact that their anti-hate crimes strategy failed and their dire predictions about hate crimes spelling the end of religious liberty have been proven demonstrably false.
How long will it be before legitimate Christians realize that the Family Research Council and other religious right groups are running a game on them with their constant cries of wolf?