Kerby Anderson

Will pastors be required to turn in their sermon notes to government officials? That question probably sounds odd unless you have been paying attention to what has been happening right here in America. Two years ago, the mayor of Houston, Texas subpoenaed the sermons of five pastors who opposed the city’s transgender bathroom ordinance. After some controversy, the mayor and the city backed down. Now the Attorney General of Georgia requested the “sermon notes and/or transcripts” from Dr. Eric Walsh. Eric Walsh has a medical degree and doctorate in public health. He has worked with both President Bush and President Obama to combat AIDS and was recruited from California to serve as district health director for Georgia’s Department of Public Health. One week after accepting the job offer, Dr. Walsh was asked to submit transcripts of sermons he preached in church. The public health officials divided up his sermons, held a meeting, and fired him. With the help of the First Liberty Institute he is suing the state. That is why the state asked for his sermons (which could even include notes he wrote in the margin of his preaching Bible). The state contends that his firing has nothing to do with religious discrimination. Then why does the state want copies of his sermons? They have backed off the initial request but still demand all contracts and agreements Eric Walsh has with his church. A few weeks ago, Michael Brown wrote a column with the arresting title: Christian Conservatives, Be Assured that President Hillary Clinton Will Declare War on You. Less than two weeks later, his new column dealing with Eric Walsh had this title: Pastors, They’re Coming for You! Obviously, he is concerned about the future of religious liberty in America. His argument is that it is time for Christians to wake up. I would say to all of the pastors in this country that it is time for you to pay attention to what is happening and make sure you wake up your congregation.