Those of you
who are familiar with this blog know that I’m not a fan of religion. Throughout
world history religion has caused a lot more harm to human civilization than
good. I would, however, tend to be a lot less critical of it if only the religious
folks would stop trying, with the assistance of government, to impose their
superstitions upon everyone. That is by far what causes most of the harm.
I am a big
fan of the Bill of Rights – especially the First Amendment. Religious Americans
have a fundamental First Amendment constitutional right to freely exercise
their religion. Non-religious Americans enjoy a fundamental First Amendment
constitutional right of freedom from government established religion. The First
Amendment protects everyone’s right to believe and express our beliefs as we
choose without government interference.
That’s why I’m
particularly appalled and outraged over the fact
that a Democratic Mayor and city officials in Houston Texas are demanding and
subpoenaing church pastors to turn over their sermons, notes and communications
with church members to the government so that the city can determine which of
them are preaching critically of city government policies.
The Houston
city council passed
the so-called “Bathroom Bill” allowing males and females the right to use each
other’s public restrooms. Concerned citizens responded by collecting an
overwhelming number of signatures to put a repeal of the law on the ballot.
The Mayor
and city council defied and rejected lawful certification of the referendum
petition. Supporters of the referendum filed a lawsuit. The city responded by subpoenaing
area church pastors and demanding to see what they’ve been preaching from the
pulpit about the controversy, as well as about homosexuality, gender identity,
and the Mayor, who is openly gay. Ministers failing to comply are being threatened
with punishment for contempt of court.
“The city
council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any
critique of its actions.” claim attorneys for Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious
liberty law firm.
“The
state is breaching the wall of separation between church and state,” declared Tony Perkins, head of the
Family Research Council. ‘Pastors need to step forward and challenge this
across the country. I’d like to see literally thousands of pastors after they
read this story begin to challenge government authorities – to dare them to
come into their churches and demand their sermons.” The actions by
Houston’s mayor are “obscene” and “should not be tolerated” Perkins
added. “This is a shot across the bow of the church.”
Ironically,
this is the very same Tony Perkins who constantly demands that the U.S. government
tear down the wall of separation between church and state. He and his followers
want a government God. But when it comes to his and their First Amendment
rights he sings a different tune.
Perkins and
the pastor’s are hopeless hypocrites for sure, but in this instance they’re
absolutely right. The City of Huston and the Mayor are clearly violating their
First Amendment constitutional rights. Their actions won’t stand in the face of
the law… in defense
of religion.
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