If there's a culture war going on in America today, Christians aren't the aggressors.

Last week, the openly lesbian mayor of Houston applauded (then backpedaled and threw her lawyers under the bus) a series of subpoenas issued to five area pastors demanding the contents of their sermons and any communications they may have had with any parishioners regarding homosexuality or the new ordinance passed by the city allowing men who identify as women to use women's restrooms. In response to the city ordinance, more than 50,000 signatures had been gathered to put the measure on the ballot in a referendum, but some shenanigans on the part of the city attorney tossed many of the signatures out, prompting a lawsuit which spawned the subpoenas.

Over at The Federalist, Brian Lee encouraged the pastors to comply.

My response? So what? Sermons are public proclamation, aren’t they?

If a government entity comes to me and demands that I turn over my sermon manuscripts, well… I think I’d be inclined to send them along. And I’d be sure to send each one with a carefully written cover letter explaining exactly how the blood of Christ redeems sinners from death and the grave. (Although good luck deciphering my rough outline, and reading my marginal handwriting. I can send you a link to the audio.)

Well, if the mayor actually bothered listened to the sermons, I might be inclined to agree. But that wasn't the purpose of the subpoenas. Nowadays most churches post audio of the pastor's sermons online. A subpoena isn't really required to get the information. The subpoena is an intimidation tactic and that's what Christians—and all citizens really—need to fight. (A follow-up by Molly Hemingway made this point.)

The response reminded me of this video from Canadian Ezra Levant's appearance before a "Human Rights" Commissioner in Canada several years ago after he had the gall to publish the so-called "Mohammed" cartoons.

Remember 8 months ago when the big debate was whether Jesus would bake a cake for a gay wedding? The likes of Kirsten Powers and Jonathan Merritt argued that if you don't follow their interpretation of Biblical standards on what marriage is, then you're a hypocrite if you have any standards (read: Don't wish to participate in gay "marriage"). At the time, many people who oppose gay "marriage" made the argument that the "public accommodation" position requiring participation in gay "marriages" was an imposition on religious conscience and the slippery slope would lead to lawsuits forcing pastors to solemnize gay "marriage."

The only surprise was that it only took eight months to get there.

Just this weekend, a case has arisen in Idaho, where city officials have told ordained ministers they have to celebrate same-sex weddings or face fines and jail time.

The Idaho case involves Donald and Evelyn Knapp, both ordained ministers, who run Hitching Post Wedding Chapel. Officials from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, told the couple that because the city has a non-discrimination statute that includes sexual orientation and gender identity, and because the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Idaho’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, the couple would have to officiate at same-sex weddings in their own chapel.

The non-discrimination statute applies to all “public accommodations,” and the city views the chapel as a public accommodation.

On Friday, a same-sex couple asked to be married by the Knapps, and the Knapps politely declined. The Knapps now face a 180-day jail term and $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.

A week of honoring their faith and declining to perform the ceremony could cost the couple three and a half years in jail and $7,000 in fines.

Gay "marriage" supporters don't want to "live and let live." They don't want tolerance. They want acceptance, affirmation and agreement. If you refuse, they'll ruin you financially and now, toss you in jail for 180 days. The First Amendment may yet stop them, but make no mistake about it, they want you to shut up and go away. Forever.