Georgia backs down from demanding Pastor's sermons but still wants other documents

The state of Georgia has withdrawn its request for copies of sermons delivered by a Seventh-day Adventist pastor but state officials are still asking for other sensitive documents.

Dr. Eric Walsh, a Seventh-day Adventist lay minister, was hired by the Georgia Department of Public Health as a District Health Director in May 2014. However, the employment offer was rescinded after government officials looked into his sermons.

Walsh filed a lawsuit against the state officials for religious discrimination. In late September, the state issued a request to the minister to hand over his sermons but he refused.

"No government has the right to require a pastor to turn over his sermons. I cannot and will not give up my sermons unless I am forced to do so," he said in a statement.

Jeremy Dys, an attorney representing Walsh, said that the request is part of the process to build a case against the minister.

The Family Research Council (FRC) started a petition urging Gov. Nathan Deal to withdraw the request for Walsh's sermons. The petition has garnered over 40,000 signatures as of Nov. 2.

In a blog published on Nov. 1, FRC reported that the government has dropped its demands for the sermons but is still requesting for other documents from Walsh.

The documents being requested by the state attorney general's office include Walsh's credentials as a minister, proof that he has served as a minister for the Seventh-day Adventists, his contacts with other members of the denomination and a salary report.

"Such intrusive government overreach is completely unacceptable. Our freedoms don't permit the state to assess a minister's credentials. The government may not inquire into discussions and agreements between a religious denomination and its leader," the FRC wrote.

"While withdrawing the request for sermons is a welcome development, Gov. Deal and the state of Georgia need to fix the wrong done to Dr. Walsh that led to this lawsuit in the first place," it continued.

FRC is calling on the governor to resolve the issue and restore the career of Walsh.