Since WHEN??
Posted on 03/05/2017 5:42:11 PM PST by marshmallow
An Oregon couple who were forced to pay $135,000 after declining to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple had their first appearance before the Oregon Court of Appeals on Thursday, as they continue to fight back against the massive judgement.
Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, are arguing that the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries — the state agency responsible for discrimination claims — violated their religious liberty, due process and free speech, after forcing the bakers to pay $135,000 to the lesbian couple at the center of the dispute.
The Klein v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries case was argued before a three-judge panel on Thursday, with conservative legal firm First Liberty Institute — which is representing the Kleins — arguing that the government “should never force someone to violate their conscience or their beliefs,” according to a press release.
(Excerpt) Read more at linkis.com ...
That would still be construed as discriminatory, for the "crime" is not creating the work of art requested, which normally would be done. Which is akin to a black or Jewish business refusing to create a special cake (which Muslim bakeries apparently also refused to do ) , or make a sign for a KKK event. Except in this case the KKK is politically favored.
What’s next? I won’t be able to take a six pack to a certain check out line because it is alcohol is against domeone’s religion. This couplre is trying to impose their religious beliefs on others and now they have cost themselves $135,000. Stupid.
That is simply not analogous, as this was not a case of not serving someone at all, for as Klein said , she was happy to serve the couple in the past and would have been happy to do so again, but added that she simply did not want to be compelled to participate in their wedding, which she said “goes against” her beliefs.
For the sodomite couple was not simply asking to but a cake, or even a standard wedding cake, but for the bakery to make a unique work of art, which specifically celebrated a homosexual union.
My cakes were my canvas,” she said. “My bakery wasn’t just called ‘Sweet Cakes Bakery,’ it was ‘Sweet Cakes by Melissa’ because I pour my passion and heart into each cake I make. My faith is a part of that.”
While liberal rock groups even claim the right to decide who uses their songs, and i am sure such would support the refusal of a Muslim bakery to create a special cake for a celebration of the founding of the modern state of Israel, the Kleins were driven out of business and fine an exorbitant penalty for essentially refusing to salute the flag of Sodom. Which requirement is likely coming to a work place near you.
The problem of course is that SCOTUS basically mandated all 50 states to do the same, and thus they can punish those who did not.
Woe to such a nation.
You quite obviously have not learned much about this couple, whose story has been in the news for several years. They have five children. They lost their business, and the only job the father could find is as a trash collector, because the homomafia harassed and bullied anyone who would hire them. Average people donated the money for their legal defense, but the same evil “human rights” commissioner simply confiscated it out of their bank account ostensibly to pay the judgment that is the subject of the appeal, leaving them with nothing. Yet they have always expressed strong faith and have been unwilling to “just bake the cake” as many on this forum regularly advise. You are reading her statement out of context, when her reference to “lost everything” probably was in reference to their business, their retail store, their home, their money, their peace of mind and their sense of security for their children. I assure you they have retained their faith.
Wait, I thought a GoFundMe account made up for all their fines and even gave them a nice profit.
>>Where are the Christian groups at? Probably more concerned about the welfare of Muslim refugees than they are at helping their fellow man.
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This is largely true. Follow the money. It appears the Feds have been paying mainstream churches to do just that.
Then they should be hired by the Feds to “oversee” Oregon compliance of regulations the libs don’t like.
I stopped using 'Go Fund Me' when they started pulling these stunts.
I understand that it would have taken some 'guts' to stand up to the Sodomite Nazis - but all they had to say was 'not my business to block Go Fund Me requests'.
Instead they chose sides (and chose poorly), and I'll not use them again.
Alcoholism is considered by the government to be a disability.
Are bar tenders and liquor store clerks required to serve alcoholics?
Insanity is considered a disability.
Are gun stores required to sell weapons to the mentally disabled?
Snivel rights for whiny leftists.
Hey stupid, you don’t have that choice.
It cost them $130,000. I would have made the cake for them.
simple solution (Since hte courts REFUSE to protect hte baker’s constitutional rights-)- FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY- to absolve all debt! the gay couple can take a flying leap!
Does anybody know if First Liberty Institute has specifically argued Section 1 of the 14th Amendment in this case?
”14th Amendment, Section 1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States [emphasis added]; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
When the states ratified the 14th Amendment, they prohibited themselves from making laws / policies, which abridge constitutionally enumerated rights, 1st Amendment protected religious expression and free speech in this case.
Noting that the states have never amended the Constitution to expressly protect so-called LGBT “rights,” it appears that pro-LGBT activist judges are violating the 14th Amendment by wrongly using a constitutionally unprotected state law to trump a constitutionally enumerated right.
I would like to see Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, the Ctrl-Left thug who imposed that $135k fine, charged with:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/242
18 U.S. Code § 242 - Deprivation of rights under color of law
Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States . . . shall be fined under this title or imprisoned . . . or may be sentenced to death.
_____________________________________________________________
This offense carries the death penalty, so there is no statute of limitations. Eventually, those who actively participated in this deprivation of the most fundamental of our God-given human rights need to be prosecuted. I hope President Trump and AG Sessions will be the men to do it.
What is stupid? Basically you are saying that Christians cannot own businesses. Maybe you don’t believe in God, but these people do. When man’s law contradicts God’s law, a man must follow God’s law.
The old TWO eyes for an eye thing.
GREAT!!
What does it profit a man, to gain the whole world yet lose his own soul?
Since WHEN??
HOLY CRAP! (Pun intended LOL)
What was stupid was losing $130,000. Christians can own a business, but the proverbial Caesar says you can't discriminate. If you do, be prepared to have it cost you.
Personally, I would have no problem making a cake and for sure would make it if I knew not making it was going to cost me $130,000.
Would you give up $130,000? Seriously. That is a literal question I'm posing to you. Are you willing to part with $130,000?
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