Mike Huckabee Asks Pastors Across the US to Send Sermons, Bibles to Houston Mayor

Christian Post ^ | 10/20/2014 | Anugrah Kumar

[bardettespy]

I totally agree. Adopting 501(c)(3) status enslaves your church (or other non-profit organization) to Caesar and all his dictates. Speak out of turn and the IRS Gestapo will come after you and shut you down. However, It’s not the IRS that’s coming after these folks this time, though that’s probably not far off at this point.

Despite the radical far left composition of the Houston City Council, opponents of the ordinance are far and wide. A petition drive to repeal the ordinance 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.”

Not to be daunted by this whimsical and unfounded administrative rebuff, opponents of the “bathroom bill” filed a lawsuit. Under the guise of “discovery,” the city’s attorneys responded by issuing subpoenas against the five pastors that not only targeted their sermons but also private papers and correspondence that dealt with homosexuality, gender identity, or the city’s mayor.

Clearly, the Ordnance’s proponents knew there was opposition to it in the Houston clerical community. The discovery motions collectively constituted a not-so-veiled attempt to both stifle further opposition and help amass an enemies list for future adverse actions. And this is where we are today.

By its actions, the City of Houston is attacking both the First and Fourth Amendment rights of the pastors. The Fourth Amendment is specific:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause...”

The implication here is that unless you’re suspected of having committed a crime and a warrant has been sworn out against you then your papers and effects are protected against unreasonable search and seizure.

What crime have the pastors committed except to preach the gospel and participate in the legitimate legal process by attempting to repeal an unpopular and unjust ordinance?

And why hasn’t the argument been made about strait women being threatened by this ordinance? Men’s and Ladies’ rooms are Men’s and Ladies’ rooms for a reason. Simple modesty means we don’t want folks of the opposite sex in there with us when we need some private time - even if they’re wearing a skirt.

[Prophet2520]

“However, It’s not the IRS that’s coming after these folks this time, though that’s probably not far off at this point.”

It doesn’t have to be the IRS. She can argue harm due to the pastors violating their contract of existence, and according to what you said it is only in response to getting evidence for a lawsuit she did not initiate.

I hope the people of the city throw out everyone responsible for rejecting their referendum, as well as the mayor who has no respect for liberty or morality. Further I hope those lawyers have so much trouble finding work they have to change professions.

“What crime have the pastors committed except to preach the gospel and participate in the legitimate legal process by attempting to repeal an unpopular and unjust ordinance?”

The violated their word/contract NOT to do that.