As you likely read in various news reports, the mayor and city attorney were unhappy with public opposition to Houston’s recent Bathroom Bill, which allows people to enter any public bathroom associated with their self-identified gender. So, if a man feels he is a woman, he can saunter into any ladies room in the city. Wow, who could possibly think anything could go wrong with that?
Because pastors were among the most vociferous opponents of the bill, the mayor apparently decided to put them on the spot. So, five pastors who were vocal opponents of the bill received subpoenas demanding copies of their speeches and sermons that addressed the Bathroom Bill, homosexuality and the mayor.
By the end of the week—facing withering denunciation from across the political spectrum—the mayor was reconsidering the subpoenas, but anyone who thinks this is the last time an American political official will try to pressure preachers in regard to their sermons hasn’t been watching the growing trend toward restrictions on religious liberty in order to appease political correctness.
At first thought, I was considering some possible responses pastors could send to the mayor, including:
• Notes? I don’t use no stinking notes!
• Sorry, but I think the dog ate my sermon.
• I already sent my sermon file to Lois Lerner. I’m sure she saved it.
However, now I’m reconsidering, and I think it would be best to send the sermons to the mayor. In fact, I think I’d send all my sermons to the mayor—as many as I have available. I suspect digging through a few hundred sermon manuscripts would convince any public official that a subpoena might be a bit counterproductive.
Also, it would do this mayor a lot of good to read some strong gospel sermons.
Blessings!
Michael Duduit