Once again, a United States judge has ruled that Christians have no rights under the US constitution to obey their faith. Judge Robert N. Spencer of the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts ruled Friday that a Christian cake artist who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex ceremony last year violated discrimination laws, and therefore must serve gay couples or face fines.
The judicial system is conflating the moral choice of individuals with the racial heritage of groups that have been truly discriminated. State and federal judges are failing to uphold US constitutional law to protect certain behavior, even if the rights of Christians are violated.
Judge Spencer, unlawfully ruled that Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., discriminated against Dave Mullins, 29, and Charlie Craig, 33, “because of their sexual orientation by refusing to sell them a wedding cake for their same-sex marriage.”
He told local CBS Denver station KCNC-TV that his Christian belief does not allow him to support same-sex marriage.
“If gays come in and want to order birthday cakes or any cakes for any occasion, graduations, or whatever, I have no prejudice against that whatsoever,” he told the news station. “It’s just the wedding cake, not the people, not their lifestyle,” he added, saying he would rather “close down the bakery before we would compromise our beliefs.”
Judge Spencer, like many today, associates a moral choice with a person’s identity. “At first blush, it may seem reasonable that a private business should be able to refuse service to anyone it chooses,” Spencer wrote in the order. “This view, however, fails to take into account the cost to society and the hurt caused to persons who are denied service simply because of who they are.”
Again, this was about the type of cake Jack Phillips was asked to create, not the sexuality of the customer. The judge just refused to be confused with the facts. The propaganda machine is working to make this about human rights trumping religious freedom.
“While we all agree that religious freedom is important, no one’s religious beliefs make it acceptable to break the law by discriminating against prospective customers,” said Amanda C. Goad, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project, according to The Associated Press. “No one is asking Masterpiece’s owner to change his beliefs, but treating gay people differently because of who they are is discrimination plain and simple.”
“Being denied service by Masterpiece Cakeshop was offensive and dehumanizing especially in the midst of arranging what should be a joyful family celebration,” Mullins was quoted as saying. “We are grateful to have the support of our community and our state, and we hope that today’s decision will help ensure that no one else will experience this kind of discrimination again in Colorado.”
This case, like the photographer in New Mexico, is about suppressing the truth of God’s word in the name of discrimination. Before too long, Christian pastors, like myself will be told we cannot preach the whole council of God, because it is offensive and discriminatory.