Court: Christians Cannot Refuse to Photograph Same-Sex Ceremonies

Catholic Culture ^ | 8/23/13

[marshmallow]

In a 5-0 decision, the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a lower court determination that it is illegal for a photography business owned by Christians to refuse to photograph a same-sex wedding ceremony--even though New Mexico law does not permit same-sex marriage.

The courts based their decisions on the text of the New Mexico Human Rights Act (NMHRA), which makes it illegal for “any person in any public accommodation to make a distinction, directly or indirectly, in offering or refusing to offer its services . . . to any person because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, spousal affiliation or physical or mental handicap.”

Referring to the business’s owners, Justice Richard Bosson said in his concurring opinion that the “Huguenins today can no more turn away customers on the basis of sexual orientation--photographing a same-sex marriage ceremony--than they could refuse to photograph African-Americans or Muslims.”

[Jonty30]

At some point, the bulk of the population will have had enough and push back.

There will be nothing stopping them at that point.

[Persevero]

When we force someone to do a job they don’t wish to do, we have enslaved them.

This is slavery.

[factoryrat]

The gaystapo is really pushing its luck. When the backlash occurs, it will be swift and brutal, and no court or politician will be able to save them. Play with fire, and get burned. They’ve been put on notice.

[Ronin]

Yep. Opps, sorry, I cut your head off in this pic. Gosh darn it, I just can’t seem to focus today. Hey! There’s an interesting composition to this garbage bag. I think I’ll burn a couple gigs of memory stick on it.

[Kirkwood]

I just remembered I’m on vacation that week... too bad.

[impimp]

Discrimination based on political beliefs is legal. I think businesses could adopt a “Republicans-only” requirement with their customers. Sounds a little like something the Communist party would dream up but I think I am OK with it.

[Aetius]

Public opinion, common sense, religious liberty, and the now non-existent Freedom of Association won’t matter one bit if this reaches our ruler Anthony Kennedy. He’s made it clear which side he is on when it comes to gay-related issues.

Not only will this decision not be overturned, we’ll soon have more activist judges issuing similar rulings even in states where there isn’t some abominable law like the New Mexico Human Rights Act.

[RobbyS]

Because....!

[Jonty30]

Just limit your business to those that believe in Constitutional rights. If anybody asks you to do anything that you object to, you have basis for rejecting them legally.

[Jonty30]

I have to say that your idea is genius.

[Bernard Marx]

those in power in this country really are as out of touch with the people as was, let’s say, Marie Antoinette.....

Those in power in this country know there's no penalty for being out of touch. We have a voting population of "What, me worry?" Alfred E. Neumans who automatically pull the lever for Democrats. The voters in this country are brain dead.

[The Real Deal]

A lot of them should suffer the same fate as Marie did!

[Maelstorm]

The left and the political class will gets its due some day and it will look a lot more like the French Revolution than the American one. What is happening is equivalent to what happens when the lubricant of a mechanical system is removed eventually the machine breaks down completely. The beauty of America is that it was founded on ideas that allowed Quakers to live alongside Catholics which lived alongside Unitarians, which lived alongside Baptists, which lived alongside Agnostics and Atheists. Today the liberty which greased the machinery of the social system is being replaced with tyranny that demands not that one be let live the way they desire with their own beliefs, traditions, etc but that they must support and submit their beliefs to the tyranny of perverts and secularists in a radical secularocracy where the assumed freedom to associate and the freedom of conscience is being undermined with the goal of course to eventually totally undermine the freedom of religion.

That is why gays seek to force businesses with owners who do not wish to endorse or be associated with homosexuality want to force business owners to serve them. Would a traditional marriage or anti-gay org even try to get an open homosexual to cater them? No. I’ve never tried to become a member of GLADD but that isn’t enough for the left. They don’t respect the freedom of others.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Make me.

What ya going to do judge? Force a camera in my hand?

[greene66]

I’d go to jail before being forced to submit to catering to such deviancy. Or rather, they could ‘try’ to force me, but they would be met with violence. Some things are indeed worth fighting and dying for. Any Court or government pushing this attack on freedom loses any shred of legitimacy.

[steve86]

I think businesses could adopt a “Republicans-only” requirement with their customers.

Won't fly. Court will rule this is a diversion from the true reason for the "discrimination". Besides, anyone could claim he is a log-cabin Republican and might be telling the truth.

[Girlene]

This is slavery.

Agreed.

[Trod Upon]

If they got a court order I’d certainly do it. And they’d get the worst framed, most out of focus, most poorly exposed shots ever. Enjoy the memories, fascist pigs!

[Jonty30]

Keep it constitutional and you shouldn’t have a problem..

[Nowhere Man]

It just boggles my mind that a purchaser of a service, when told by the purveyor of that service that it cannot be performed, expects performance. I guess capitalism and contract are passé.

I really don't care who marries who anymore, it is their business, not the government, especially Federal. I also believe that no one should be forced to sell their service if it is against their conscience. It is like some lawyers who will not take a case because it offends him/her so there is always another one down the street. I believe in the idea where "We can refuse to serve anyone for any reason" but that died a long time ago because of the Civil Right era. The bad thing about the Civil Rights era was that it evolved from a crusade of the individual to a crusade of the group, so hence, this is where we are today. If someone wants to deny service, it is their right, if they want to provide it, it is their right too. Yes, some business owners can be jerks at times when they refuse to serve others of a different race and so forth, but being the owner does have its perks.