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Nuus: Hieronder is die gemeente se beswaar teen die konsepwetgewing. Die NG kerk as geheel handig 'n beswaar in wat deur regsgeleerdes opgetrek is. Ons het gekies om regsmening te vermy en te gaan met wat op ons veld van kundigheid lê: 2017-01-23 The Deputy Minister of Justice John Jeffery Combating of Hate Crimes & Hate Speech Bill Dear deputy minister Jeffery We as a congregation would like to appeal to the heart of our lawmakers. Amongst all the legal language and argumentation which makes it difficult for ordinary citizens to engage in this debate we would sincerely like to focus your attention on the objection of the heart. Every day in South Africa people commit crimes. There are laws prohibiting these crimes yet people still perpetrate them. Clearly laws do not deter people. What is needed is a change of heart. The problem is clearly a problem of the heart, of intent. What should change is the heart of our people. They need to unlearn the hatred taught to them by their parents and even by some politicians. A Law does not prevent hatred, it only makes people hate in safe places, amongst friends. This hatred then spills over into violence and or other offensive behaviours and speech. We therefore advise to rather through other means educate people to rethink their stance regarding other people and to move away from hatred and all forms of hate speech. Rather than alienating people by restricting their freedoms (as granted in the constitution e.g. freedom of speech and freedom of religion), rather encourage them to be agents for change. Churches with their message of God’s love for all people will work through all layers of society to get them to open up to all people and not to hate or to participate in hate speech. Remember though that the gate of change, according to Marilyn Ferguson, cannot be opened by force or by argument. The gate of change can only be opened from the inside through a change of heart and mind. Churches have the ability to change the narratives of a community to a new narrative of love, respect and dignity for all people. Here, is where churches change societies. Curbing hatred and hate speech through the making of new laws will not change the narrative people live by. You have to change their minds. The intended bill therefore will do more harm than good. More rights will be trampled than what will be protected. There will be more animosity and polarization and therefore even more insidences of hate speech. In this whole process the people’s rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion will be curtailed. There are already laws in place by which offenders can be taken to court and reprimanded or punished without trampling on our rights as society. If you think on it it is the churches that bring the message of God’s love for all people and it is the churches that quietly care for the disadvantaged and the poor, showing them the love and respect they deserve. It is the churches who reach out and care. It is the churches who quietly work towards a society where all are united in love and respect and dignity. We remain committed to this. We pray that you will rethink your stance on the new bill. Yours truly, CHT Schiel (On behalf of Dutch Reformed Church Deneysville)