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Houston city attorneys subpoena sermons from pastors opposed to rights law
American Thinker ^ | 10/15/2014 | Rick Moran

Posted on 10/15/2014 8:02:07 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Conservative Christian pastors in Houston who opposed an equal rights ordinance had their sermons and other private communications subpoenaed by city attorneys fighting to keep a repeal referendum off the ballot.

Houston Chronicle:

Houston's embattled equal rights ordinance took another legal turn this week when it surfaced that city attorneys, in an unusual step, subpoenaed sermons given by local pastors who oppose the law and are tied to the conservative Christian activists that have sued the city.

Opponents of the equal rights ordinance are hoping to force a repeal referendum when they get their day in court in January, claiming City Attorney David Feldman wrongly determined they had not gathered enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. City attorneys issued subpoenas last month during the case's discovery phase, seeking, among other communications, "all speeches, presentations, or sermons related to HERO, the Petition, Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality, or gender identity prepared by, delivered by, revised by, or approved by you or in your possession."

The subpoenas were issued to several high-profile pastors and religious leaders who have been vocal in opposing the ordinance. The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a motion on behalf of the pastors seeking to quash the subpoenas.

Plaintiff Jared Woodfill said the subpoena impinges on protected religious freedoms.

"This is the city trampling on the First Amendment rights of pastors in their churches," Woodfill said.

Why would they want copies of sermons that mention the mayor? This is intimidation pure and simple, and a fishing expedition. What do they expect to find that has to do with the referendum?


(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: 1moretime; anniseparker; firstamendment; freepmuch; homosexualagenda; houston; irs501c3; sermons; texas
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To: SeekAndFind

Timely DVD coming out soon. https://livingwaters-1568.wedid.it/


21 posted on 10/15/2014 8:59:46 AM PDT by Maudeen
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To: SeekAndFind

“Come and take it” sounds like an appropriate response...


22 posted on 10/15/2014 9:00:27 AM PDT by castlebrew (Gun Control means hitting where you're aiming!))
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To: SeekAndFind
Houston Mayor Annise Parker(Right) and "Wife" Kathy Hubbard

( Parker and Hubbard were married in Palm Springs, California )

23 posted on 10/15/2014 9:17:29 AM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: SeekAndFind

It is because of these events that Texas may be in trouble of going Blue, or at least being heavily targeted by the Rats. The big cities are the cancer that need to be “managed”. Let’s see how this gets handled and how well it is supported.


24 posted on 10/15/2014 9:52:48 AM PDT by SgtHooper (Anyone who remembers the 60's, wasn't there!)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA

It would appear that Black ministers are not being asked to produce their sermons, only ministers from larger congregations whose pastors are some version of white. Haven’t heard whether either 1st or 2nd Baptist is on this list. Ed Young from 2nd Baptist does preach on TV and perhaps the City attorney just chose to watch it through that source. /s/ Assume Osteen would not be asked because he is also on TV and he doesn’t take a position on anything at all controversial.

Black ministers have been very outspoken about their opposition to this ordinance which is interesting because Sheila Jackson Lee is their Congressional Representative and you know that she strongly supports the Mayor’s position on all issues.


25 posted on 10/15/2014 11:24:36 AM PDT by Grams A (The Sun will rise in the East in the morning and God is still on his throne.)
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To: Grams A

Thanks - I assumed it was all ministers who had backed the recall.


26 posted on 10/15/2014 11:50:51 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Tactical Firearms,Katy Tx: "the two enemies of guns, rust and politicians")
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