(AgapePress) - The Swedish Parliament has moved one step closer to outlawing any criticism of homosexuality. A Washington-based pro-family group predicts the U.S. will not be far behind.

The news from Sweden is setting off alarm bells amongst American conservatives. Last week, Swedish lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that would ban speech or materials which oppose homosexuality.

A Christian member of Parliament, Annalie Enochson, says although Sweden's homosexual lobby is small, it was powerful enough to push through the amendment by a 56% vote. She says the only thing that stands in the way of it becoming law is another vote which must take place after this fall's elections.

If it passes then, she says Christians could even be arrested for speaking out against homosexuality in their churches. Those convicted could spend up to four years in prison.

Bob Knight is with the Culture and Family Institute. He tells Focus on the Family that similar laws are on the way in the United States. Knight says the Swedish example should be a wake-up call to the rest of the world that the real intent is to criminalize Christianity.

No Cloture on Hate Crimes Bill
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill today, opponents of Senator Ted Kennedy's Hate Crimes bill (S. 625), which expands federal "hate crime" protections to include homosexuals, have won a key vote. Senators on Tuesday voted 54-43 against cloture, which would have limited debate and amendments to the bill. Supporters needed six more votes for cloture.

The Hate Crimes bill would add crimes motivated by sex, sexual orientation, and disability to the list of offenses already covered under a 1968 federal law. But opponents say the legislation gives unneeded special protection status to homosexuals.

Today's vote derailed efforts to win a speedy vote and sent the measure to the U.S. House, which has twice rejected it in recent years.

Republican senators say the bill as it is worded now would not be considered by the House. Orrin Hatch of Utah says the bill needs to be scaled back to ensure the federal government does not interfere with state prosecutions.