Christians still hoping to defeat Canada’s Bill C-250.

Canada (MNN)–Canada’s Senate took up the controversial Bill C-250 following Easter recess, April 20.

There are concerns that if passed as written, the legislation could be used against people who oppose homosexuality on religious grounds.

The bill, which passed the House of Commons last September, adds sexual orientation as a protected category in Canada’s genocide and hate-crimes legislation, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Using lengthy debate and unprecedented procedural tactics over homosexual hate crimes, opposing Senators managed to fend off determined efforts to pass a motion of closure to the debate.

“Some of the Senators have managed to hold the bill up a bit, and currently, it’s being put off until a debate on Tuesday, and will potentially come up for a final vote on the 28th.” International Bible Society Canada’s Donald Brooker.

He explains they’re concerned on two levels: there is no definition of ‘hate’, and, it could trample the rights of Christians and their faith. Brooker says that’s the worst case scenario.

However, because the Prime Minister has already leant public support for it, theirs is an uphill fight. “There’s a high likelihood that it would go forward, and I believe that if Christians don’t pray and get involved, that it will go forward. That could limit rights on Christians to present the Gospel message, and certain texts of the Bible would not be permitted for distribution.”