"Those ministers who fail to comply," he adds, "could be held in contempt of court."

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) lawyers have since filed a motion to stop the subpoena. So what's all the fuss about?

As reported in Charisma News, Houston city officials are upset over a voter lawsuit filed after the City Council rejected valid petitions to repeal a law approved in June that allows members of the opposite sex into each other's restrooms.

The Houston Chronicle reported that opponents of the "bathroom bill" launched a petition drive that generated more than 50,000 signatures—more than the 17,269 needed to put a referendum on the ballot. The City Council threw out the petition in August citing "irregularities."

Although Mayor Parker refused to speak with Todd Starnes, Stanley was quoted as telling the Fox News host that the mayor's motives may be to publicly shame the ministers, possibly using their sermons to reveal them as "anti-gay bigots."

Said ADF Litigation Counsel Christiana Holcomb, "The city's subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented. The City Council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions. Political and social commentary is not a crime; it is protected by the First Amendment." (Photo: John Wesley preaching/Wikipedia)

The ADF brief reads, in part: "The message is clear: Oppose the decisions of city government, and drown in unwarranted, burdensome discovery requests. These requests, if allowed, will have a chilling effect on future citizens who might consider circulating referendum petitions because they are dissatisfied with ordinances passed by the City Council. Not only will the Non-party Pastors be harmed if these discovery requests are allowed, but the People will suffer as well. The referendum process will become toxic and the People will be deprived of an important check on city government provided them by the Charter."

To find out more about this outrageous development and also read the brief in its entirety, click here.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Breitbart Exclusive—Doug Burgum: Trump's Restorations of Fountains, Monuments, and Parks Show Squalor Is a 'Choice'

Washington Nationals Fire Exec after Team's Anti-Christian Bias Was Exposed; But Will They Change?

Congresswoman's Resolution Would Ditch 'Perverse' Pride Month, and Give June a New Name

Feds Charge NIH Fauci Scientist-Foreign Nationals With Smuggling Monkeypox into the US and Lying About It

President Trump Signs Executive Order Backing Major Overhaul Of Childhood Vaccine Schedule

US Retaliates for Tehran's Drone, Missile Strikes, Forges Ahead with Negotiation Attempts

Spencer Pratt Surges to Runoff in LA Mayor's Race after Angry Voters Send Message to Karen Bass

Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra Lead in California Governor's Primary

[Watch] 'The Chosen' Star Jonathan Roumie Prepares for Final Moments Playing Jesus

Tennessee's 1st 'Nuclear Family Month' Honoring Traditional Marriage Started in June

NEW VIDEO: Thanks to Dad's Statement, Sick New Details Emerge in Case of UK Student Arrested for Racism as He Lay Dying

Sesame Street Promotes Trans Ideology to 2-year-olds

Red States Replace 'pride month' as Support for LGBT Events Plummets

Judge: Hearing on the Murder of Charlie Kirk Will Be Public

Tina Peters Released from Prison After Commutation: 'I Really Want to Thank God'

Los Angeles Primary: Democrats Appear to Be Ditching Karen Bass, and Rallying Behind Spencer Pratt

California, Iowa, and 4 Other States Hold Primaries: Key Races to Watch

Why Are a Number of Men Ordering Abortion Pills Through the Mail?

Alabama Asks SCOTUS to Allow New Congressional Voting Map That Lower Court Blocked

NYC landlord pleads for help as '9-year-squatter' continues to drain him dry in court saga: 'Twilight Zone'