Posted on 02/09/2018 9:06:21 AM PST by SeekAndFind
BAKERSFIELD, California – It would be a violation of free speech for a Christian baker to be forced to make a same-sex "wedding" cake, a California judge ruled on Monday.
Cathy Miller owns Tastries Bakery, where 40 percent of her business is wedding cakes, many of which she personally designs. Last August two lesbians asked her to design a special cake to celebrate their “marriage,” and Miller politely redirected them to an accommodating competitor.
Nevertheless, as is the well-established LGBT pattern, the lesbians sued Miller anyway. They filed a complaint with the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing, accusing Miller of violating California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which criminalizes denying service based on sexual orientation. Oral arguments were heard Friday.
Judge Lampe said that to force a Christian to create a cake that celebrates something against their religion is "violence."
“The State is not petitioning the court to order defendants to sell a cake. The State asks this court to compel Miller to use her talents to design and create a cake she has not yet conceived with the knowledge that her work will be displayed in celebration of a marital union her religion forbids,” Judge Lampe’s ruling reads. “For this court to force such compliance would do violence to the essentials of Free Speech.”
The judge issued his ruling Monday, stating it would only be discrimination if Miller refused to sell an existing product to the lesbians. He discerned that forcing a business owner to violate his/her beliefs is “the stuff of tyranny.”
“Cathy will gladly serve anyone, including same-sex couples,” Charles LiMandri of the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund explained to the court. “But Cathy will not use her artistic talents to express messages that conflict with her sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage.”
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...
I thought the homosexual community wanted equality?
A baker or any business should be able to say “no” for whatever reason.
No, they are too enthralled with their victim status. Victimhood is power in today’s world.
These cases are clearly an attack on Christian businesses. The homosexual community is actually violating the Christian businesses’ First Amendment rights.
This isn't in federal court...yet. This is a state district judge decision. It has to make it through the California appeals system first.
This is a state of California court. The President had nothing to do with this appointment.
Won’t take long before another sane ruling is overturned. LaLa land needs to maintain the reputation.
Definitely a good sign.
Any reason like race? Religion? Age? Sexual orientation?
Gee... A judge with a brain.
Well, the pork and the Jewish ceremony would be an unlikely combination (it’s religiously verboten).
Still, it’s the personal writing that’s protected here. It doesn’t have to pass judgment on a system where the customer designs his own decoration on a screen then commits the order. Even God lets people “design their own sin cakes” as it were. If He didn’t, there would be no meaningful choice to be made between sin and salvation.
Lefties never give up. :(
A pot of gold from who? A tiny little bakery?
They aren't looking for money. They just want their pound of flesh.
One lesson we can learn: The Kind of President we elect who appoints judges is IMPORTANT for the preservation of our freedom.
This is a state of California court. The President had nothing to do with this appointment.
He should be at the top of the list for appointment to a Federal court.
This judge was most likely elected by the people of Bakersfield. Bakersfield is a small red dot in a sea of blue and is pretty hardcore to the right. One of the last bastions of sanity in a lost state.
What's your point? If someone does not want to provide their services because they just don't feel like it, is that not their right? Free citizens ought to be able to decline services without being grilled about their reason.
Pound of flesh? Yes, this is true. But money is also a motivator.
You would go to jail for felony assault.
The left is smart enough to not go there. They like their heads attached.
If we didn't learn our lesson in 08 and 12 which allowed bammy to appoint two sorry judges we should all be ashamed.
If Trump accomplishes little else....the appointment of conservative judges was worth my voting for him.
Homo is frequently if not always vengeance-driven. It’s in the nature of the beast.
This won’t yield easily and it’ll be a big spiritual battle. But yield it eventually may. In the meantime Christians should remember the charity that they wish fiends would repent to. It’s a risk but it’s necessary.
These people NEVER go to a Muslim bakery or photographer with these stunts. If they tried it the leftists would go after them instead of the business.
Different state, different laws. This is a "get even" complaint. They want to force her out of business over it.
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