Greg J. Dixon
"Many think because Anise Parker, lesbian Mayor of Houston, dropped the subpoenas for the five pastors to turn in sermon transcripts, notes, e mails, etc., that the war is over. But it is just entering the second round because now the focus is pertaining to her legislation and court battle regarding a city Equal Rights Ordinance passed by the City Council last August granting special rights to transgenders, which would include same-sex rest rooms which was what the issue was about to start with. However, Parker, being in her third term as mayor, two of them having been won by election, is a seasoned politician by now, and was willing to throw the preachers their bone, by withdrawing the subpoenas to preserve the bigger issue which has not been lost yet from her point of view. According to both CBS and WND, even though a petition drive seems to be enough to recall the ordinance Parker’s supporters are trying to decertify many of the petitioners.
According to news reports there had been a great outcry among the pastors of Houston, including the black alliance who said that this was not a civil rights issue and the five pastors that had been attacked personally. Amid the protest, city officials at first doubled down, with Parker stating, “If the 5 pastors used pulpits for politics, their sermons are fair game.” Under a state and nation wide siege she and her attorneys then changed their wording from sermons to speeches, a move ADF legal counsel Joe La Rue said was “wholly inadequate.” Many also thought some of the five were strange targets in that they included a Vietnam pastor, and a Cuban woman, both who had fled to America from police states. Also many were wondering why no black pastors were targeted.
Even though it is only right that all pastors and Christian believers stand up for these pastors and the City of Houston in this Sodomite onslaught, in my opinion we need to keep this entire issue in the proper perspective.
The Unregistered Baptist Fellowship at their meeting on Oct. 20-22 in their resolution on behalf of the pastors made it clear that they had violated their own commitment to their 501 (c) (3) contract that they had agreed to when they voluntarily became tax exempt organizations under Title 26 of the IRS Code. Our resolution read thusly at this point:
“Be it Further Resolved that the City of Houston repeal and repudiate its so-called Equal Rights ordinance, since the Bible and natural law teaches that homosexuality is a behavioral choice, and therefore a wicked sin, as much as adultery, stealing, murder, etc. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-28).
Be it Further Resolved that the pastors of Houston examine their relationship with the state and make sure it conforms to the Biblical pattern, so that First Amendment rights are not complied (with) by incorporation, 501 (c) (3) tax exemption, and that the light of God’s countenance may be fully upon them.
Therefore, the Unregistered Baptist Fellowship, in the name of the God of the Bible (KJV), hereby rebukes Mayor Annise Parker, and the officials of Houston who have joined with her, in this unjust assault upon religious liberty and freedom of speech; and we stand with these pastors who are trying to check the wicked homosexual agenda in their city.”
Another pastor wrote and put it this way, “Any church so registered has assigned their authority to the regulatory agency known as the IRS. Under the laws of incorporation, any entity registered as a 501 (non profit) is bound by that corporate law. Tragically, the majority of churches are registered.”
Even Mayor Parker understands this principle, let me repeat, she said, “If the 5 pastors used pulpits for politics, their sermons are fair game.” Why did she use this term? Do you suppose it is because she can read? If she can read then why can’t the pastor’s read? The IRC Code clearly says: “Individual Activity by Religious Leaders – The political campaign activity prohibition is not intended to restrict free expression on political matters by leaders of churches or religious organizations speaking for themselves, as individuals. Nor are leaders prohibited from speaking about important issues of public policy. However, for their organizations to remain tax exempt under IRC section 501(c) (3), religious leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official church functions. To avoid potential attribution of their comments outside of church functions and publications, religious leaders who speak or write in their individual capacity are encouraged to clearly indicate that their comments are personal and not intended to represent the views of the organization.
IRS Pub. 1828 Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Org.
When preachers agreed to this covenant from hell years ago, they never thought that they would be so hamstrung that they wouldn’t even be able to cry out against men using the same restrooms with little girls. But God and the Devil seem to be the only one’s that know that we are in a gigantic spiritual chess game for keeps.
Where Does the Real Blame Lie?
It certainly does not lie with Pastor Aubrey Vaughan, who was the Pastor of the Unregistered Grace Baptist Church of Houston for many years on Telegraph which was what they called “Hell Street.” He fought the Devil and his crowd tooth and nail for over thirty years including the IRS who he whipped all the way back to Washington, D.C. Annise wouldn’t be the mayor of Houston if the pastor’s had followed his advice. But they didn’t. He was too radical for their smooth sermons. He was the lone voice when he stood against benefits for homosexuals, but the pastors wouldn’t stand with him then.
A lesbian is mayor of Houston because of Joel Osteen and his multi thousand congregation, Ed Young and his mega First Baptist Church, Mega 2nd Baptist, and all of the other huge mega churches in Houston, sitting there raking in their millions while Houston goes to hell. Those preachers said not a word while Parker was running for office. And then in the final analysis it was the so called “Christians” of Houston who stayed home on election day, reading their little devotional and self-improvement books that they bought at the “Christian” book stores instead of going to the polls and voting against this wicked mayor and her cohorts.
By the way, that’s also the reason that we have the present resident of the White House."
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