Houston Mayor Forces Christians to Turn In Sermon Notes

momi

Well-Known Member
Oh wait a minute - I meant the Christians. :ohwell:


My friends, the persecution of Christian pastors has begun in this country. We previously warned about the efforts of the Freedom from Religion Foundation and its secretive settlement with the IRS allowing them to demand sermons to scrutinize for “political activity.” Well, it has indeed happened, in one of the reddest of red states in the reddest county in America: Houston, Harris County, Texas.

As reported by Fox News, “The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor. And those ministers who fail to comply could be held in contempt of court. “The city’s subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented,” Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christina Holcomb said in a statement. “The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions.” ADF, a nationally-known law firm specializing in religious liberty cases, is representing five Houston pastors. They filed a motion in Harris County court to stop the subpoenas arguing they are “overbroad, unduly burdensome, harassing, and vexatious.”

If there is anything that should unify Americans, it should be an assault on Christian ministers. It is absolutely amazing that the Obama administration sends a personal congratulatory note to the Islamic center in Oklahoma that spawned Alton Nolen who beheaded a 54-year-old American grandmother — and we have this openly lesbian progressive socialist tyrant allowing a subpoena against Christian pastors.

This is the test case (and as it happens I was just in Houston last week and will be back next Monday) and this is unconscionable! However, if this case is successful, it will be replicated elsewhere — and where is the Left screaming out about First Amendment rights of these pastors: “Freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof?” Where is the ACLU? After all, they care so much about the rights of unlawful enemy combatants aka Islamic jihadists and terrorists.

“Political and social commentary is not a crime,” attorney Holcomb said. “It is protected by the First Amendment.” Fox says, “the subpoenas are just the latest twist in an ongoing saga over Houston’s new non-discrimination ordinance. The law, among other things, would allow men to use the ladies room and vice versa. The city council approved the law in June.”

This is just how upside down Mayor Parker is and reflects her intent to establish a radical far left, gender-blind agenda and through coercion and intimidation, destroy any opposition – including church leaders. This is the tyranny of the Left and the radical gay agenda in full display. And I just have to ask, how does this bring anyone into alignment with the gay community if they are fully supportive of these initiatives?

Houston is home to Pastor Joel Osteen and I wonder if he’s going to make a stand and speak out — or is his ministry just for show? I can bet that just up the road in San Antonio, Pastor John Hagee won’t be taking this lying down. And what about Pastor T.D. Jakes up in Dallas — where does he stand?

Many people laughed when the progressive socialists came out with their “Turn Texas Blue” campaign – who’s laughing now? The State Capitol of Texas, Austin, is well known as a bastion of progressive socialists and now look at what’s happened in Houston — perhaps Gov. Rick Perry should stop going to Blue states and asking them to move to Texas. Leftist progressives are like locusts; wherever they migrate they bring along their destructive policies and agenda in order to infest their new host — just look at how the migration of leftist progressives from California has affected Colorado? And now it’s happening to Texas.

Here’s a clear example of the radical gay agenda and tyranny of Houston Mayor Parker. Per Fox, “the Houston Chronicle reported opponents of the ordinance launched a petition drive that generated more than 50,000 signatures – far more than the 17,269 needed to put a referendum on the ballot. However, the city threw out the petition in August over alleged irregularities.” As voter referendums supporting traditional marriage are being tossed aside by courts, judicial activism and legislating from the bench is alive and well.

“After opponents of the bathroom bill filed a lawsuit, the city’s attorneys responded by issuing the subpoenas against the pastors. The pastors were not part of the lawsuit. However, they were part of a coalition of some 400 Houston-area churches that opposed the ordinance. The churches represent a number of faith groups – from Southern Baptist to non-denominational.”

Mayor Parker won’t explain why she wants to inspect the sermons — and what makes her believe she has the power to do so anyway. Mayor Parker’s director of communications, Janice Evans, said “We don’t comment on litigation.”

Fox reports that “ADF attorney Stanley suspects the mayor wants to publicly shame the ministers. He said he anticipates they will hold up their sermons for public scrutiny. In other words – the city is rummaging for evidence to “out” the pastors as anti-gay bigots. Among those slapped with a subpoena is Steve Riggle, the senior pastor of Grace Community Church. He was ordered to produce all speeches and sermons related to Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality and gender identity. The mega-church pastor was also ordered to hand over “all communications with members of your congregation” regarding the non-discrimination law. “This is an attempt to chill pastors from speaking to the cultural issues of the day,” Riggle told me. “The mayor would like to silence our voice. She’s a bully.” Rev. Dave Welch, executive director of the Texas Pastor Council, also received a subpoena. He said he will not be intimidated by the mayor.”

I’ve said before that America is under assault from the unholy alliance of progressive socialists, Islamo-fascists, and secular humanists. What is happening in Houston is wrong on so many levels, it defies logic and reason but it is to be expected from the tyranny of the Left.

If Mayor Parker is successful, it will happen in other major American cities under radical progressive socialist control. It is time for all — especially Christian Pastors — to stand up, “be strong and courageous,” and defy this illegal edict reminiscent of Henry the Eighth, who proclaimed himself head of state and head of church.

Mayor Annise Parker is out of control, and knowing the backbone of true Texans and Houstonians, she will be defeated. To the gay community, if this is what you support and believe in, you’re not positively advancing your case – but demonstrating you advocate coercion as a means.
 
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Belle Du Jour

Well-Known Member
Re: Houston Mayor Forces Mosques to Turn In Sermon Notes

I read about this and am OUTRAGED. The gay bullies strike again!!!
 

Shimmie

"God is the Only Truth -- Period"
Staff member
God is watching these fools and the end result of their plight against Christians 'ain't' pretty.

Oh, and neither is it P.C. for gay bullies. :nono:

Here's the thing. God already preached these 'sermons' AGAINST the sin of homosexuality and God's Word shall not ever return unto Him void. The consequences of this sin shall still prevail no matter what they do or say.

No law or any type of legislation can stop God's judgment against their sin of sexual disorder and the support of it.
 

mensa

Well-Known Member
I am not surprised. This article made me extremely angry and upset, but not surprised. The persecutions against us will only get worse.:nono:

"Even so, come Lord Jesus."
 

Blackpearl1993

Well-Known Member
God is watching these fools and the end result of their plight against Christians 'ain't' pretty.

Oh, and neither is it P.C. for gay bullies. :nono:

Here's the thing. God already preached these 'sermons' AGAINST the sin of homosexuality and God's Word shall not ever return unto Him void. The consequences of this sin shall still prevail no matter what they do or say.

No law or any type of legislation can stop God's judgment against their sin of sexual disorder and the support of it.

Amen! And our Christian brothers in the pulpit need to file a class action discrimination suit against her! She certainly isn't asking those who preach in mosques, temples, the church of scientology, mormon churches, or any other religion to produce their sermons/private conversations with congregants for her perusal! This is a blatant attack on Christianity and a thinly veiled attempt to keep the men of the cloth from preaching God's truth about her sinful lifestyle choice. Okay...God sees all. While she's busy trying to dig a pit for Christians to fall into...she better be careful. She'll end up falling into that pit herself!
 

PinkPebbles

Well-Known Member
I believe that this is an attack and a test from the pit of hell. When I read this article two biblical stories came to mind. The story of Jezebel on how she tried to destroy the prophets of God. And the second is the story of the three Hebrew boys whom would not bow down.

I pray that these pastors would take a stand and not bow down; continue to preach the bible without fear or hesitation.
 

prettynatural

Think, Do, Be
It's hard to believe that this is true. Is that legal? How can they enforce it? If this true, I don't trust Fox as s news source, that is very scary and it angers me. The article doesn't read objectively, more like propaganda, that's why I'm cautious.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF
 

Belle Du Jour

Well-Known Member
^ It's true. It's also being reported by EWTN, which is a Catholic television station. I bet the Catholic conference of bishops will file a lawsuit.
 

Shimmie

"God is the Only Truth -- Period"
Staff member
Amen! And our Christian brothers in the pulpit need to file a class action discrimination suit against her!

She certainly isn't asking those who preach in mosques, temples, the church of scientology, mormon churches, or any other religion to produce their sermons/private conversations with congregants for her perusal!

This is a blatant attack on Christianity and a thinly veiled attempt to keep the men of the cloth from preaching God's truth about her sinful lifestyle choice.

Okay...God sees all.

While she's busy trying to dig a pit for Christians to fall into...she better be careful. She'll end up falling into that pit herself!

:amen: :thewave: :amen: :thewave: :amen:

Preach! Blackpearl1993 Preach!

Remember Haman (from the Book of Esther) The very same pit that he prepared to destroy the Children of God, was the pit that he was condemned to, by the King.
 

Shimmie

"God is the Only Truth -- Period"
Staff member
I believe that this is an attack and a test from the pit of hell. When I read this article two biblical stories came to mind. The story of Jezebel on how she tried to destroy the prophets of God. And the second is the story of the three Hebrew boys whom would not bow down.

I pray that these pastors would take a stand and not bow down; continue to preach the bible without fear or hesitation.

PinkPebbles... :amen: :thewave: :amen:

And the Pastors are taking a stand against this. :yep:
 
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