When
Annise Parker was elected mayor of Houston there was a celebration of her
election in the media. Why? Because Parker is a very open, and militant,
lesbian. Her being voted into office as
mayor of one of America’s largest cities was portrayed as reflecting the new
openness and tolerance in our culture.
Unfortunately, that openness and tolerance only extends in one
direction.
Since
her election, Parker and the Houston city council have passed a new
non-discrimination ordinance. Among
other things, the ordinance would allow transgendered individuals to use
whichever public restroom they felt more comfortable with based upon their
gender identity. In other words, men
could use the women’s bathroom, and vice-versa.
The
ordinance, controversial from the start, was opposed by many of the city’s
churches. A petition to put the issue on
the ballot for a public referendum needed a little over 17,000 signatures and received
more than 50,000. However, the city
threw out the petition in August alleging irregularities. This, in turn, generated a lawsuit against
the city by opponents of the ordinance.
Now the
ministers of five churches in Houston have been subpoenaed by the city to turn
over all speeches and sermons related to Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality and
gender identity. They have also been
ordered to submit all communications with their members regarding the non-discrimination
law.
In
other words, the Mayor and city council are now trying to bully churches and
preachers into silence on this matter.
This is one of the most chilling examples yet of the relentless war
being waged against those who would speak out against the immoral agenda of the
LGBT community and its minions to legitimize and legalize sexual deviancy.
The
five preachers are being threatened with fines or confinement or both if they
do not comply with the subpoenas. This
is not a game. The mayor and her lackeys
are playing hard ball. They are
attempting to use the power and resources of the government to stifle dissent.
The
preachers and churches are not taking this lying down. ADF, a nationally known law firm that
specializes in religious freedom cases, is representing the ministers. They have filed a motion in Harris County
court to quash the subpoenas.
The
battle for religious freedom is heating up.
This isn’t a lesbian couple suing the owners of a bakery. This isn’t a gay couple angry at a
photographer who won’t take pictures of their “wedding.” This is also not federal judges overturning
state legislation regulating marriage. This
is government actively seeking to contravene the first amendment rights of
preachers and churches to express their views on moral issues. The over-reach of this Mayor and city council
is breathtaking, but hardly surprising.
It has been clear for years that that the LGBT community is never going
to be satisfied with anything less than a complete and utter silencing of any
opposition to their lifestyle. They are
not going to be satisfied with laws protecting their “right” to practice openly
and publicly their immorality. They want
those who stand in opposition totally stifled.
The only way this is going to occur is by finding some way to strip the
freedom of speech from those with moral and religious convictions. By taking the “discrimination” angle, and
arguing that free speech is not protected in such circumstances, they are
coming after your right and mine to share what God’s word says about how we, as
a people, are to live.
Call me
paranoid, but if they’re coming for them in Houston, how much longer before
they’re knocking on my door or yours.
Being praying for, and supporting in any way you can, those who are
speaking out in Houston. It is a battle
we must win – or else.
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