Posted on 10/15/2014 3:34:09 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
Christians across the nation are mobilizing to defend a group of Houston pastors who were ordered by the city to turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity issues or Houston mayor. Their message is simple – Don’t Mess with Texas Preachers.
Dave Welch, the executive director of the Texas Pastor Council, is one of the five ministers who received a subpoena. He said he will not be intimidated by Annise Parker, who is the city's first openly lesbian mayor, nor will he comply with the city’s demands.
“My answer to that is – bring it on,” he said.
Houston’s city attorney issued the subpoenas in a response to a lawsuit filed related to the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (H.E.R.O.), the city's new non-discrimination ordinance, also known as the “Bathroom Bill.”
The new law, which has yet to take effect, would (among other things) allow men who identify as women to use the restrooms of their choice – and vice versa. Opponents launched a petition drive to put the issue on the ballot.
However, the city threw out the petitions claiming there were not enough legitimate signatures. Opponents then filed a lawsuit – which led the city to issue the subpoenas.
Ironically, none of the five subpoenaed pastors are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I have a solution. At the next football game let the women take over the men's restrooms. Women always have long lines at the restrooms.... if men have to wait to use one, the law will disappear in a heartbeat.
I have a solution. DOUBLE DOWN.
Have every church show that old Henry Fonda movie “The Fugitive”, about a Mexican priests being crushed by an oppressive government.
Launch into a sermon series about government oppression of religion. Liberally reference the local city counselor and the mayor as kindred souls to Stalin, Kim, Hitler, etc.
Visit all the businesses that contributed to their campaigns. Ask them politely where they stand on the issue so that in the next sermon, you can let the flock know where they stand on the issue of the state demanding copies of sermons and perverts going into the wrong restroom.
Make the bastards feel some serious heat.
“It’s Houston... The armpit of Texas.”
If that’s true what is Austin? Texas’ AH?
Oh,, and -really- piss em off by singing “We shall overcome”. Loudly,,, constantly at every service after referencing the “oppression”. Steal their anthem. Maybe they’ll pop a critical vessel.
The a-hol* of Texas?!
“It’s Houston... The armpit of Texas.”
“If that’s true what is Austin? Texas’ AH?”
YESSS!
“How in the H3LL did they elect a lesbo Mayor? Seriously this is TEXAS we are talking about not Minnesota or Californication.”
Demographics of Houston:
White, including Hispanic 49%
Black 25%
Asian 5%
“Other” races or mixed race 20%
Latino or Hispanic 37%
Consider that about 200,000 New Orleans residents were sent to Houston as refugees after Katrina. How many decided to stay in Houston instead of return to rebuild what Ray Nagin called the “chocolate city”?
Demographics is destiny.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/oagnews/release.php?id=4880
AUSTIN — Attorney General Abbott today asked that the Houston City Attorney to immediately withdraw the subpoenas sent last month to several Houston-area pastors seeking sermons, notes and other information.
In his letter to the city attorney, Attorney General Abbott said, “Whether you intend it to be so or not, your action is a direct assault on the religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment. The people of Houston and their religious leaders must be absolutely secure in the knowledge that their religious affairs are beyond the reach of the government.”
Mr. David Feldman
City Attorney
City of Houston
900 Bagby, 4th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Dear Mr. Feldman:
Your office has demanded that four Houston pastors hand over to the city government many of their private papers, including their sermons. Whether you intend it to be so or not, your action is a direct assault on the religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment. The people of Houston and their religious leaders must be absolutely secure in the knowledge that their religious affairs are beyond the reach of the government. Nothing short of an immediate reversal by your office will provide that security. I call on you to withdraw the subpoenas without further delay.
Dear Mr. Feldman:
Your office has demanded that four Houston pastors hand over to the city government many of their private papers, including their sermons. Whether you intend it to be so or not, your action is a direct assault on the religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment. The people of Houston and their religious leaders must be absolutely secure in the knowledge that their religious affairs are beyond the reach of the government. Nothing short of an immediate reversal by your office will provide that security. I call on you to withdraw the subpoenas without further delay.
I recognize that the subpoenas arise from litigation related to a petition to repeal an ordinance adopted by the city council. But the litigation discovery process is not a license for government officials to inquire into religious affairs. Nor is your office’s desire to vigorously support the ordinance any excuse for these subpoenas. No matter what public policy is at stake, government officials must exercise the utmost care when our work touches on religious matters. If we err, it must be on the side of preserving the autonomy of religious institutions and the liberty of religious believers. Your aggressive and invasive subpoenas show no regard for the very serious First Amendment considerations at stake.
A statement released by the Mayor’s Office claims that the subpoenas were prepared by outside lawyers and that neither you nor Mayor Parker was aware of them before they were issued. Nevertheless, these lawyers acted in the City’s name, and you are responsible for their actions. You should immediately instruct your lawyers to withdraw the City’s subpoenas. Religious institutions and their congregants should never have to worry that a government they disagree with will attempt to interfere in their religious affairs. Instead of safeguarding that trust, you appear to have given some of the most powerful law firms in Houston free rein to harass and intimidate pastors who oppose City policy. In good faith, I hope you merely failed to anticipate how inappropriately aggressive your lawyers would be. Many, however, believe your actions reflect the city government’s hostility to religious beliefs that do not align with city policies.
I urge you to demonstrate the City’s commitment to religious liberty and to true diversity of belief by unilaterally withdrawing these subpoenas immediately. Your stated intention to wait for further court proceedings falls woefully short of the urgent action needed to reassure the people of Houston that their government respects their freedom of religion and does not punish those who oppose city policies on religious grounds.
Sincerely,
Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas
It's Houston, you know, where half the chocolate city immigrated to after Katrina. This could happen in Dallas, or Austin as well. Large cities is where perverts and professional leeches live.
Yes, Austin is the colon.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.