Interesting article today in the USA Today detailing how hate crimes, which are somewhat problematic too define, have risen over the last year, more than likely as a result of the economic recession.
The article spent time talking about how hate crimes against blacks and gays and lesbians have risen, according to FBI reports, 8% and 13% respectively.
But the most interesting part of the article was that hate crimes against Catholics have risen 23%, more than any other group. The reason given? The targeted Catholics have conservative viewpoints, they are pro-life and anti gay marriage rights.
All hate crimes are wrong, but it is compelling to me that the sharpest rise of victimization are those with conservative religious moral viewpoints, and that total religious victims (which I’m sure included hate crimes against Muslims, Hindus, evangelical Christians, etc) were second only to those due to race (all racial groups).
Peace.