If people are going to make a stand against gay marriage, they better know what theyre going to say in instances like this. Its very simple, really I dont want to be seen as condoning something that goes against my beliefs. By providing my services, thats exactly what would happen.
And the question is how many Christian owned shops did those reporters go into before the ended up at the one shop where the owner was dumb enough to give them the response they were trolling for?
Like you said, it’s a real easy answer: “I’ll gladly serve homosexuals. However I will decline to participate in an event that violates my religious beliefs.”
If asked an adultery-related question the answer is just as simple “Yes, if a guy comes in here and orders valentines roses for both his wife and his girlfriend, I’m going to decline that as well.”
The best solution is actually to state the following: “Because of the threat to my business and livelihood by Progressive bullies I’ll provide goods and services to same sex weddings. I won’t like it, but I won’t also risk my reputation by providing those goods and services at a quality or standard below what I’d provide to anyone else. However, because of my beliefs I cannot in good faith keep any money from doing that, so all proceeds from same sex weddings will be donated to (insert name of Christian/Conservative organizations that Progressives really, really hate)
Unfortunately, these are ordinary people who were ambushed. I wish the florist had simply ushered the reporter out.
If I was such a decorator, I’d say, “Mine is an art, just as sculpting or painting. Every painter or sculptor is free to decline to create commissioned piece for any reason, or for no reason. I decline various cake-art or flower art pieces at my own discretion.”