City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons

[RetiredGySgt]

If the pastors were campaigning politically on elections from the pulpit, they are fair game, or they can give up their tax exempt status. . . hmmm.

So all those black clergy and churches through out the Country that ACTIVELY campaigned for Obama and continue to support him politically should lose their tax exempt status? Or is that different?

 

[RetiredGySgt]

The pastors are forbidden to use the pulpit politically if they with to keep their tax exempt status, Percy.

And yet we have no evidence you found all those black clergy doing it for Obama at fault.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Anybody notice the Far Righties are beginning to splutter?

 

[JakeStarkey]

If the pastors were campaigning politically on elections from the pulpit, they are fair game, or they can give up their tax exempt status. . . hmmm.

So all those black clergy and churches through out the Country that ACTIVELY campaigned for Obama and continue to support him politically should lose their tax exempt status? Or is that different?

Why would they be different? Of course they are fair game.

 

[Andylusion]

The pastors are forbidden to use the pulpit politically if they with to keep their tax exempt status, Percy.

Homosexuality is a social issue not a political issue.

As long as homos keep trying to cram their 'social issue', in my face by using politics, it's a political issue.

If they keep their 'private lives' private.... I have no problem with that.

 

[JakeStarkey]

From Westboro to Wright, little buddies, pastors who campaign from the pulpit for parties or candidates are fair game to lose their tax exemptions.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

From Westboro to Wright, little buddies, pastors who campaign from the pulpit for parties or candidates are fair game to lose their tax exemptions.

Remind us of your insistence of same in 2008, 2012 and currently about black churches openly preaching from the pulpit and on NATIONAL news advocating for the election of Obama.

 

[Andylusion]

What? I couldn't believe my eyes to see this headline. If you don't like the city's new non-discrimination ordnance.


Don't we have a First Amendment to the US Constitution? And I thought Texas was a Red State.


But, why be surprised? Another gang of big-city politicians are going to tell you want to believe and how to act. They toss out more than 17,000 signatures seeking a ballot measure to toss out their little fascist tactic and are now threatening to fine or even jail anyone who opposes them.


Read more @ City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons Fox News


And reported @ City of Houston subpoenas pastors 8217 sermons to see if they 8217 re criticizing lesbian mayor


And @ Pastors Fight Big Brother Targeting of Sermons - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com


Houston Demand to See Pastors’ Sermons a Chilling Attempt to Silence Free Speech → mor4 explanation @ Prison Planet.com Houston Demand to See Pastors 8217 Sermons a Chilling Attempt to Silence Free Speech

Oh it's coming. Soon pastors will be jailed for speaking the truth. But we're not going to stop. You'll have to jail every true Christian in the country.

 

[Sunni Man]

Quit trying to lengthen the field, Sunni Man. If a pastor or imam preaches in a certain to clearly identify who he wants his congregation to vote for, then that 1st Amendment is no protection for protecting tax exemption.
Now if he preaches that homosexuality is a sin and encourages his congregation to refrain from such, without making suggestions about this party or that candidate, then that is to the good.

That is exactly the same thing that I said you freakin nitwit. .....

.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Who gives a damn about the law!

It's the freedom of expressing one's views - whether on a street corner, here in a discussion forum, or from a pulpit.

When government, at any level, tries to limit or censor speech, it's a direct attack upon each and every one of us.

Do you want a government agency like the IRS monitor this forum and discover who each and every user is who posts anything different from "the Party Line?"

At least you're consistent in your ignorance of the law.

The First Amendment applies only to government, placing restrictions on government efforts to preempt or limit speech, not private persons, not private organizations, and not private internet message boards.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Who gives a damn about the law!

It's the freedom of expressing one's views - whether on a street corner, here in a discussion forum, or from a pulpit.

When government, at any level, tries to limit or censor speech, it's a direct attack upon each and every one of us.

Do you want a government agency like the IRS monitor this forum and discover who each and every user is who posts anything different from "the Party Line?"

At least you're consistent in your ignorance of the law.

The First Amendment applies only to government, placing restrictions on government efforts to preempt or limit speech, not private persons, not private organizations, and not private internet message boards.

And I guess the city of Houston is not Government? The IRS is not Government? His whole point was that Government not be allowed to violate our first amendment rights, Perhaps you did not bother to read his post?

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

And as usual the OP is seeking to contrive a controversy where none exists:

“The subpoenas were issued by pro bono attorneys helping the city prepare for the trial regarding the petition to repeal the new Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) in January. Neither the mayor nor City Attorney David Feldman were aware the subpoenas had been issued.”
Read more at snopes.com City of Houston Subpoenas Pastors Sermons

Moreover, the issuing of the subpoenas is perfectly legal and appropriate, at issue is whether the scope of the information sought by the subpoenas is too broad.

Last, there is no evidence that the city's efforts are 'punitive' against those opposed to the equal rights ordinance.

 

[Andylusion]

If your pastors are urging voters to act a certain way politically, whether ebola or homosexuality or the Astros, it is a violation of the law.

Incorrect peckerwood.

It's only against the law if a pastor tells his congregation which political candidate or party to vote for in an election.

A pastor has the legal right to speak for or against any social issue without recourse from the government. .....

.

And I don't even agree with that.

Unions are non-profit tax exempt entities, and they openly support one candidate or another, all the time.

Profession organizations, are tax exempt and routinely openly promote specific candidates.

Yet a church of 100 people, can lose their tax exempt status for even mentioning a candidate? Ridiculous.

 

[Andylusion]

And as usual the OP is seeking to contrive a controversy where none exists:

“The subpoenas were issued by pro bono attorneys helping the city prepare for the trial regarding the petition to repeal the new Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) in January. Neither the mayor nor City Attorney David Feldman were aware the subpoenas had been issued.”
Read more at snopes.com City of Houston Subpoenas Pastors Sermons

Moreover, the issuing of the subpoenas is perfectly legal and appropriate, at issue is whether the scope of the information sought by the subpoenas is too broad.

Last, there is no evidence that the city's efforts are 'punitive' against those opposed to the equal rights ordinance.

They were looking for evidence, to deny the will of the people, who wanted to repeal a bad law.

It's funny how when ACORN makes hundreds of fraudulent applications for voting, that's barely worth investigating.

But if a petition is signed by a mass of the public, now we need to subpoena the pastors sermons.

Of course it's not as surprising given which way voter fraud usually goes, and which way Sunday sermons normally go.

 

[JakeStarkey]

If your pastors are urging voters to act a certain way politically, whether ebola or homosexuality or the Astros, it is a violation of the law.

Incorrect peckerwood.

It's only against the law if a pastor tells his congregation which political candidate or party to vote for in an election.

A pastor has the legal right to speak for or against any social issue without recourse from the government. .....

.

And I don't even agree with that.

Unions are non-profit tax exempt entities, and they openly support one candidate or another, all the time.

Profession organizations, are tax exempt and routinely openly promote specific candidates.

Yet a church of 100 people, can lose their tax exempt status for even mentioning a candidate? Ridiculous.

Then enforce the law on churches and unions and all exempt folks and businesses.

Can't accept money, not pay taxes, yet be able to campaign.

 

[martybegan]

And as usual the OP is seeking to contrive a controversy where none exists:

“The subpoenas were issued by pro bono attorneys helping the city prepare for the trial regarding the petition to repeal the new Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) in January. Neither the mayor nor City Attorney David Feldman were aware the subpoenas had been issued.”
Read more at snopes.com City of Houston Subpoenas Pastors Sermons

Moreover, the issuing of the subpoenas is perfectly legal and appropriate, at issue is whether the scope of the information sought by the subpoenas is too broad.

Last, there is no evidence that the city's efforts are 'punitive' against those opposed to the equal rights ordinance.

When you "help the city" you are acting as a government actor, plain and simple. Trying to hide behind the actions of "an interested party" is an end run.

It's bullying, plain and simple.

 

[martybegan]

If your pastors are urging voters to act a certain way politically, whether ebola or homosexuality or the Astros, it is a violation of the law.

Incorrect peckerwood.

It's only against the law if a pastor tells his congregation which political candidate or party to vote for in an election.

A pastor has the legal right to speak for or against any social issue without recourse from the government. .....

.

And I don't even agree with that.

Unions are non-profit tax exempt entities, and they openly support one candidate or another, all the time.

Profession organizations, are tax exempt and routinely openly promote specific candidates.

Yet a church of 100 people, can lose their tax exempt status for even mentioning a candidate? Ridiculous.

Then enforce the law on churches and unions and all exempt folks and businesses.

Can't accept money, not pay taxes, yet be able to campaign.

No one wants to go there, because all sides know no one is going to win anything. The whole concept of taxing religious organizations in any event is a 1st amendment issue.

 

[martybegan]

From Westboro to Wright, little buddies, pastors who campaign from the pulpit for parties or candidates are fair game to lose their tax exemptions.

Remind us of your insistence of same in 2008, 2012 and currently about black churches openly preaching from the pulpit and on NATIONAL news advocating for the election of Obama.

He won't.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Prove it, RGS and Marty, or stand as the liars which if fact you are.

I have always believed tax exempt organizations should no use the pulpit for political support of parties and candidates.

 

[martybegan]

Prove it, RGS and Marty, or stand as the liars which if fact you are.

I have always believed tax exempt organizations should no use the pulpit for political support of parties and candidates.

Why doe churches have to be singled out? and prove what? Here's a hint, the quote function, use it, love it.

You only get all uppity when people pursue opinions differing from your own. Then you loves a little government smack-down on said opinion.