Posted on 01/16/2016 2:46:47 PM PST by kindred
"All Robert and I want is the freedom to peacefully live and work faithfully on our family farm and according to what God says about marriage without fear of government punishment. The America we love is one where we respect each other's differences, and the government still protects the freedom to have those differences. Others have the freedom to say or not say what they want to about marriage, and that's all we are asking for, as well." -Cynthia Gifford
(New York)—[CBN News] A New York court has upheld a state decision to fine a farm couple for refusing to host a lesbian wedding on their property. (Photo via LifeSiteNews)
The New York Division of Human Rights ruled in July 2014 that Cynthia and Robert Gifford were guilty of "sexual orientation discrimination" for refusing to allow Melisa and Jennifer McCarthy to use their "place of public accommodation" for their same-sex ceremony.
The Giffords said doing so would violate their conscience, but invited the two women to use their property for their reception site.
The state agency has ordered the Giffords to pay a fine of $10,000 plus $3,000 in damages and ordered them to implement re-education training classes.
On Thursday, the New York Supreme Court appellate division upheld the order and fines.
Melisa McCarthy originally called Cynthia Gifford in 2012 to ask about the use of Gifford's farm for her upcoming same-sex ceremony. [Because of her Christian faith's teachings on marriage, Cynthia politely told McCarthy that she and her husband don't host and coordinate same-sex ceremonies but left open an invitation to visit the farm to consider it as a potential reception site. Instead, McCarthy and her partner filed a complaint with the Division of Human Rights.]
Caleb Dalton, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom who represented the Giffords, said "the government went after both this couple's freedom and their ability to make a living simply for adhering to their faith on their own property."
"The court should have rejected this unwarranted and unconstitutional government intrusion, so we will consult with our client regarding appeal," he said.
One of my values is not to make personal attacks when I have lost the argument, a value that you apparently don’t share.
I’ll let others decide for themselves what that says about your values versus my values.
You guys with your New York values bit are not only deeply conformist and lemming-like, you are also becoming big bores. Even Michael Steele is admitting that Trump probably has a lock on the nomination.
Every single state in this union has an overbearing state and federal government. All of them, bar none. Some are slightly better than others but they all need to be reformed.
Its way past time to start shooting back.
not so sure it is a law, suspect it is a regulation from a committee
so tell me California is better......
thats somewhat irrelevant to this issue....in fact entirely irrelevant ......but since you’ve brought it up....... California values by and large stink to high heaven..Statewide
Particularly along the coast where the socialists have done the most damage!!
Now back to our regularly scheduled issue
Im sorry I didn’t address your last whine
actually I’m a trained DRAMA CRITIC!
dons tweets and your last post got one half star btw
I think it is interesting that they were willing to do the reception they just did not want to be involved in the ceremony. that seems very accommodating.....
I don’t want to be involved in a klu klux klan meeting but after the meeting you can hold the pot luck at my house.....
Oh, yes m'am, I do indeed have it up and have had it for years. I even post on the TEXAS page. Proud Texan.
Look to Austin and Dallas in your own state and stop bothering New Yorkers. There's a lot of clean up work for you to do. Start with - was it the Austin mayor? - who subpoenaed that poor preacher? Start with her. Then move on to your gay pride parades.
Then the lib agenda is spreading. This is exactly why we need Trump. Yes he is a loud mouth, yes he is a bully, but he is OUR bully. He isn’t mouthing off about THEIR agenda but ours! He came in at exactly the right time because personally, I don’t think any of these Repub candidates stand a chance against Hillary. Can you see Cruz bringing up stuff about Bill Clintons sexual assaults and rape? I can’t. But Trump does, THAT is the kind of topics that have to be brought up to bring that bitch down. There’s a lot of low infos out there and he will make damn sure they ARE informed about what exactly they are supporting. The guy is a Godsend.
Exactly.
When Texas secedes, we’re definitely leaving that disgraceful blue uber lib “Keeping Austin Weird” behind. Dallas and Houston better straighten up or they’ll be left behind, too.
Stop discussing Hillary.
She will not be the candidate.
I just figured it out: You’re screwed. It’s host the thing or pay. But you have an option: Invite your minister and a local Iman and a rough motorcycle gang for an interfaith halal feast that shows how animals are slaughtered Muslim-style.
Seat the groups together and have a ho-down!
The 1964 Civil Rights Act brought us to this point.
It’s passage insured that as an American Citizen you have lost your Right to Free Assembly and Free Association.
The Legislation should only have applied to Government Entities, not Private Citizens.
Sorry, this stuff will only get worse.
New York values are not conservative values. Signed, Clemenza, native NYer (Lawn Guyland, then the city).
Both true statements!
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