Posted on 06/21/2015 5:26:14 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Christian owners of a gift shop and bistro in Iowa, who were earlier charged with discrimination and had to pay for a settlement after refusing to hold a same-sex wedding at the venue, say they are now having to close down their business completely.
Richard Odgaard and his wife, Betty, the owners of Görtz Haus Gallery in Grimes, Iowa, say they will close their business completely by the end of August, about two years after they told a gay couple from Des Moines their facility cannot be rented for the wedding.
The gay couple promptly filed a discrimination complaint through the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Although the Odgaards refused to admit they discriminated against the same-sex couple, they agreed for a $5,000 settlement.
"Our faith hasn't changed," Betty earlier said after the settlement. "Of course, it's kind of a crushing blow because that's a major part of our business and weddings are so absolutely gorgeous in that place."
The settlement couldn't deal with the aftermath.
"We can't pretend it's going to get better. There wasn't enough business," The Daily Signal quoted Betty, 63, as saying on Friday.
The Mennonite couple started their bistro, flower shop, art gallery and wedding venue after buying a 77-year-old stone church in 2012.
After local media reported on the discrimination complaint, other couples also cancelled their bookings of the venue.
"The Görtz Haus Gallery has discontinued venue and floral services for weddings thereby enabling us to conduct business according to our conscience without the threat of allegations of discrimination," reads a notice on the home page of the gallery's website.
The Odgaards feared they would attract more complaints and lawsuits if they continued to offer their building as a wedding venue. "We didn't have a choice. We would be targets," Betty, who recently went into depression due to the circumstances, was quoted as saying.
The Christian couple now feels isolated from their community, as they cannot speak out due to pending litigation on the right of businesses to refuse services to customers based on their religious beliefs.
The Odgaards see a 2009 decision of the Iowa Supreme Court as the beginning of their violation of religious freedom. "I think if people in Iowa would have had a chance to vote on this, it would have never have been this way. People in Iowa are pretty conservative," Betty was quoted as saying.
"With the discrimination laws and the legality of same-sex marriage in this state, now you have to prove that you didn't discriminate," added Richard.
The Odgaards are leaving their business, but not quitting.
"Inspired by their experiences, the Odgaards have organized God's Original Design Ministry, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, to advance Christian teachings, Biblical ordinances and natural laws as God intended," the gallery's website announces.
The Christian couple also plans to use the building for its original function, by turning it back into a church. "That would be the most wonderful option," Betty said.
“Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Should life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day:
The Kingdom’s ours forever!”
- Martin Luther
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” - Rev. 14:3, ESV
Sickening...
The gaystapo claims another victim.
Of course, people should be free to do business where they want, and their customers free to choose or ostracize. But in this case, the heavy hand of government and “equal rights enforcers” have crushed a godly couple. In “conservative” Utah, of all places.
Just wait till the homosexual radicals go after the couple’s new church and its tax exemption.
And they are correct. The Gaystapo would hound them into bankruptcy. The militant gays will get their "civil rights".
RE: Just wait till the homosexual radicals go after the couple’s new church and its tax exemption.
I think the next item on their list will be the Christian Chaplains who serve in the military.
They will be forced to either be discharged ( dishonorably?) or officiate in gay weddings.
The next gen has mostly been converted to the prog’s (in)Tolerance doctrine. Brainwashed since very young, no strong parental and/or religious guidance. Bodes ill for our future.
Queers = nazis.
My “Buy American” beliefs have taken a real beating over the past few years. If buying American means supporting this, then no thanks.
They are forcing people to choose between their faith and their job. They are going to force all churches to do gay “marriage “. With the current pope, I’m not sure the Catholic Church will resist.
Yep. Could be next
Lee Stafford and his homo buddy are going to really pay one day for their life of perversion. If I were a member of that community and I knew these homos shut down a local business, they would know what I think of them. Sorry pos. They are scum of the planet.
Mark of the beast....
The greatest deception of all time.
You hear about this happening all over the world, but even though the populations of the countries allowing it are silent, yet the majority.
Complacence truly is the greatest enemy man has ever known.
Queers = nazis.
—
And the nazis eventually lost. So will the queers.
But the Evil, Satanic MSM won’t send dry-runs into Muslim-run flower and bakery shops exposing the exact same result.
The day of reckoning is coming for these homo-nazi’s.
The Christian persecution in the military has already begun.
Christian Chaplains either cannot pray in the name of Jesus or have been completely silenced. I think here on FR someone posted one such Chaplain who is suing on freedom of religion grounds. Suit is still pending as far as I know.
How much of the persecution goes unreported? Plenty, I would imagine.
Except for a few pro-life marches or demonstrations in front of abortion clinics, conservative Christians don’t take to the streets. No Jesse Jacksons or Al Sharptons there.
From your lips...you know the rest.
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