The Documents: City of Houston “Commands” inspection of Sermons
UPDATE: Mayor Annise Parker backtracks. Laughs and claims misinterpretation…
It’s difficult to believe Mayor Parker was unaware of the subpoena when she tweeted, “their sermons are fair game,” yesterday.
UPDATE: Mayor Annise Parker responds via Twitter.
If the 5 pastors used pulpits for politics, their sermons are fair game. Were instructions given on filling out anti-HERO petition?-A
— Annise Parker (@AnniseParker) October 15, 2014
You’ve likely seen the breaking news today that the City of Houston has “commanded” local pastors to turn over sermons (including all communications and any “tangible things”) touching on a new city ordinance mandating transgender access to all public restrooms. Included in the wide dragnet, the city also seeks all communications and sermons related to “Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality or gender identity.”
In the words (song lyrics) of Woody Guthrie, “This song was written in New York City. Of rich man, preacher, and slave. If Jesus was to preach what He preached in Galilee, They would lay poor Jesus in His grave.”
We all knew this was coming, right? But I think it’s important for the public to see the actual subpoena and to really grapple with that word, “Command.” How does it feel (or “feeeeel,” in the style of Bob Dylan) to issue an order like this? I know you’re not suppose to make connections with Nazis but…
Is there any doubt left that we, as a society (including ‘the Church’), would have also imprisoned the Apostle Paul or Jesus Christ?
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – Corinthians 6:9
When I sing the song, ‘Jesus Christ’ by Woody Guthrie, I change one key word at the end,
When Jesus come to town, all the working folks around
Believed what he did say
But the bankers and the preachers, they nailed Him on the cross,
And they laid Jesus Christ in his grave.
This song was written in New York City
Of rich man, preacher, and slave
If Jesus was to preach what He preached in Galilee,
They We would lay poor Jesus in His grave.
Go read and share the full subpoena for yourself.