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Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Lesbian Houston mayor bullies pastors
WorldNetDaily and Fox News are reporting that the lesbian mayor of Houston Annise Parker has subpoenaed the sermons and other pastoral communications of several Houston area pastors to determine if there was anti-gay comments in them. The mayor is witch hunting to find out if these pastors had anything to do with a petition against her ordinance mandating same sex bathrooms in Houston. Once again, those who have a nationwide anti-bully campaign are the bullies. Notwithstanding, this threat to religious freedom simply should be squashed immediately by the pastors refusing to comply based on their 1st Amendment rights. But not so fast. The legal community is involved full force.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorneys have filed a motion in Texas court to stop the subpoenas. In a statement by ADF on its website, ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley said, “City council members are supposed to be public servants, not ‘Big Brother’ overlords who will tolerate no dissent or challenge. In this case, they have embarked upon a witch-hunt, and we are asking the court to put a stop to it.” ADF Litigation Counsel Christiana Holcomb added, “The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions. Political and social commentary is not a crime; it is protected by the First Amendment.”
The ADF brief states: “The message is clear: oppose the decisions of city government, and drown in unwarranted, burdensome discovery requests. These requests, if allowed, will have a chilling effect on future citizens who might consider circulating referendum petitions because they are dissatisfied with ordinances passed by the City Council. Not only will the Nonparty Pastors be harmed if these discovery requests are allowed, but the People will suffer as well. The referendum process will become toxic and the People will be deprived of an important check on city government provided them by the Charter.”
My hunch is that these pastors sit under 501C3 corporations instead of non-stock Churches. If that is the case, they have opened the door to government interference by being beholden to government regulations–one of such by the IRS that pastors are not allowed to take political positions in church. Albeit this is totally erroneous and unconstitutional, it has been enforced through intimidation. The short answer to such harassment is “You have no authority to request such information by virtue of the 1st Amendment.” But the not for profit designation muddies the waters. Remember always Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” And in America, there can be no law respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion. Seems like the Alamo has moved to Houston and all of America should get behind these pastors. Pray and Act.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
For God’s Glory Alone Ministries thanks Bill Wilson and www.dailyjot.com
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