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Illinois Commission Panel Says Christian-Owned Bed & Breakfast Must Host Gay Weddings
Christian Post ^ | 12/06/2016 | Michael Gryboski

Posted on 12/06/2016 2:34:16 PM PST by SeekAndFind

A decision forcing a Christian-owned bed and breakfast to pay a same-sex couple $30,000 for refusing to host their wedding ceremony will stand.

A 3-member panel of the Illinois Human Rights Commission refused to hear an appeal in a decision compelling TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast to pay a fine for declining to host a gay wedding on their property, although they have hosted opposite-sex weddings in the past.

TimberCreek owner Jim Walder told The Christian Post that they took issue with the panel decision and were planning to appeal to the full state Human Rights Commission.

"Citizens should only decide not to obey a law after much thought and only in extreme circumstances," said Walder.

"In our opinion, forcing a small business with one employee to host gay marriage which violates the owners sincerely-held Biblical belief that marriage is between one man and one woman is an extreme circumstance, especially when marriage has been understood for thousands of years to be a union between one man and one woman."

In 2011, TimberCreek refused to host a same-sex wedding ceremony, with Walder stating at the time that he opposed on religious grounds to holding such ceremonies even if they became legal.

"We will never host same-sex civil unions. We will never host same-sex weddings even if they become legal in Illinois," said Walder in 2011.

"We believe homosexuality is wrong and unnatural based on what the Bible says about it. If that is discrimination, I guess we unfortunately discriminate."

In response to the refusal, the same-sex couple filed a formal complaint with the state's Department of Human Rights arguing that it is a rejection of the Illinois Human Rights Act.

In March, Administrative Law Judge Michael R. Robinson ordered TimberCreek to pay the same-sex couple $30,000 for causing emotional distress, plus over $50,000 in attorney fees.

"Respondent [must] pay each Complainant $15,000, which represents damages for the emotional distress arising out [of] its refusal to host their same-sex, civil union ceremony," ordered Robinson.

"Respondent [must] be directed to cease and desist from violating the Human Rights Act by discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation when denying same-sex couples access to its facilities and services for their civil union ceremonies and/or marriages."

Regarding the Commission's upholding of the previous decision, Walder told a local media outlet that the "fix was in from the get-go," as he said two of the three panel members were involved in LGBT activism or openly gay.

"The public probably assumes that these three commissioners were nonpartisan, fair and neutral when the exact opposite was the case," stated Walder.

"This feels like blatant reverse discrimination against all business owners, Christian or otherwise, by the IHRC, which is supposed to be an unbiased, neutral party in resolving complaints."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: christians; gaymarriage; gaystapo; illinois
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To: Opinionated Blowhard

The state of Illinois is becoming a cesspool. Earthquakes to follow if they don’t get their act together.


41 posted on 12/06/2016 4:10:21 PM PST by Maudeen (No one on this earth is too far gone for Jesus.)
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To: SeekAndFind

“We will never host same-sex civil unions. We will never host same-sex weddings even if they become legal in Illinois,” said Walder in 2011”

...and then the sodomites eyes filled with visions of dollar signs.


42 posted on 12/06/2016 4:32:24 PM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: SeekAndFind
The sodomites:
43 posted on 12/06/2016 4:35:08 PM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: Carthego delenda est

Gee,
Who is the pitcher and the catcher?


44 posted on 12/06/2016 4:58:00 PM PST by Noob1999
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To: SeekAndFind

Sounds like that once they put the judgement on their books, a Chapter 11, or 7, should be in the immediate future, and let the fags go pound sand!


45 posted on 12/06/2016 5:01:25 PM PST by Noob1999
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To: Mariner

Who provides the funding for these “Human Rights Commissions”? If they get funding from the Feds, Trump should CUT IT OFF!!! The very idea of a “Human Rights Commission” existing ANYWHERE in the United States of America is OBSCENE and REPUGNANT!!! Just a make work program for petty tyrants and SJW’s with economically useless college degrees. Hey SJW’s! Want to achieve something important? Set up a “Human Rights Commission” in CUBA or SAUDI ARABIA. I double-dog dare you! ;)


46 posted on 12/06/2016 10:26:56 PM PST by Frank_2001
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To: unlearner
Homosexuals who demand their “rights” never stop demanding more and more.

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

47 posted on 12/07/2016 11:58:06 AM PST by itsahoot (Three words I don't want to hear, Comprehensive Immigration Reform.)
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