Georgia is becoming a very unwelcoming place for Christians.
Bi-vocational pastors be warned – what you say from the pulpit on Sunday could get you fired from your public sector job on Monday.
Dr. Eric Walsh, a renowned public health expert who also serves as a lay minister, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Public Health alleging he was terminated for delivering sermons on issues ranging from homosexuality to evolution.
Attorney Jeremy Dys, who’s representing Walsh said, “No one in this country should be fired from their job for something that was said in a church or from a pulpit during a sermon.”
They contend that the Georgia Department of Public Health assigned workers to investigate sermons Dr. Walsh delivered on health, marriage, sexuality, world religions, science and creationism. He also preached on what the Bible says about homosexuality.
A spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) did not return telephone calls nor did they respond to email inquiries.
This is the latest example of Christians being targeted in George. Last year, Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran was fired for a book he wrote that was critical of homosexuality and earlier this year Governor Nathan Deal vetoed a religious protection bill that had wide legislative support.
Dys said “It’s becoming clear to me that people of faith will not find safe refuge in the state of Georgia adding, First, they silenced the sheep – and now they are trying to silence the shepherds.