Quote:
Originally Posted by Bullitt
You make a good point/distinction there in regards to whether they performed a personal act against you or not, maybe I should have used a different example instead like killing someone for their car. To me what matters most is that the person is willing to kill period, whether it be for money or one less gay man in the world. The fact that they think they're above society and can do what they like, i.e. straight up murder someone, is more damaging in my mind than the racial or religious motivations behind the killing. Though I can see how racial or religious hatred can be a catalyst for tensions to run high enough that killings take place, and in that regard solving those differences is a high priority.
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The purpose of the hate crime is not that the person thinks they are above the laws/beliefs of society, a hate crime is meant to hurt society, or are using crime to change it in a way they agree with. Their 'example' is the individual victim, but their target is society as a whole.
Yes when a person commits a personal crime, they hurt society as a whole as well, but that is not necessarily their purpose. I think purpose is important when a crime is committed. That is why their are differing levels of punishment for murder or other crimes. The 'purpose' indicates whether or not that person is repentant and able to be reabilitated.