Posted on 04/17/2015 7:51:33 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
First case I know of since the gay rights/religious liberty debate sharpened up over the last few years where a Christian business owner threatened to refuse all service to gay — or “openly gay,” i.e. affection-displaying — clients rather than service for gay weddings specifically. Although, strictly speaking, this isn’t a “religious liberty” case: There are no state or local laws where this guy lives that require him to serve gays. He can refuse for any reason he likes, religious or not. I wonder if it occurred to him when he was posting to Facebook that what he wrote, and the attention it was bound to receive, might make those laws more likely to happen now.
Elizabeth Scalia, a.k.a. The Anchoress, sides with righties on religious liberty but had some sharp questions a few weeks ago for business owners who draw a special moral line in refusing service to gays.
If a couple that is shacking up wants to celebrate the fifth anniversary of their moving in together, and comes to you for the celebration cake, are you baking it, or are you saying, “I’m sorry, but my religious conscience forbids it; I don’t want to be seen as giving even tacit support that sinful lifestyle which is negatively affecting society?”
If someone is throwing a “divorce party” (as some do) or remarrying without an annulment, are you arranging the flowers, or are you saying, “I’m sorry, but Jesus is incredibly clear about divorce and remarriage, and if I arranged these flowers for you, I would be dishonoring his teaching?”
If an unwed mother wants her baby photographed, are you photographing it, or are you saying, “I’m sorry, I believe a child is entitled to a mother and a father, and this person has clearly sinned against fornication, and I don’t wish to be seen as advocating and encouraging all this?” Would you figure “we’re all sinners and this is a one-off”, and — in charity — take the picture? What about if she comes back two years later, with another child from different father? Then, what will your conscience say?
Incidentally, there’s no evidence that this guy actually has refused service to openly gay customers. He’s stating what he would do if the situation presented itself, just like the owners of Memories Pizza in Indiana did when asked by a reporter if they’d cater a gay wedding. The fact that mere hypotheticals about refusing service to gays are now sufficient to justify entire news segments demonstrates how total the gay-rights movement’s cultural victory is. Either that or local news has gotten so desperate for “outrage” fixes to fill the demand for easy, buzzworthy content that they’re willing to pluck any random politically incorrect statement off of Facebook and give it three minutes of airtime.
Actually, I guess we know the answer to that, don’t we?
Exit question: After the Memories Pizza fiasco, why would any business owner want to broadcast his refusal to serve gays? This story was already picked up by lefty outlets like Think Progress this morning; the guy’s business is bound to be protested at a minimum. A lefty friend told me today that, while he thought the Memories Pizza Truthers were ridiculous, he really does think the only obvious explanation here is that the business owner is trying to bait gays into protesting him, hoping that social conservatives will rally behind him with some of that tasty GoFundMe sympathy lucre. If that’s the strategy, this guy’s taking a big risk: Conservatives are more likely to sympathize with a business that’s refusing to serve gay weddings specifically than gay customers categorically. Remember this poll? Even Republicans on balance said business owners shouldn’t have the religious right to deny service to gays altogether. He might get some solidarity cash if a boycott is organized against him, but who knows how much? And who would want that kind of aggravation?
That's the standard operational procedure folks.
Let's see if he caves when that happens...
A version of Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up applies here. Just do what you want with you business. Don’t announce your intentions.
He should take on a minority interest partner with the moniker of Mohammed.
RE: Just do what you want with you business. Don’t announce your intentions.
A lot of good that did to the grandma who owned Arlene’s Flowers or the Colorado Baker.
RE: Don’t announce your intentions.
Brendan Eich, inventor of Javascript and CEO of Mozilla quietly donated a few thousand dollars to the traditional marriage initiative in California.
A few years later, his small donation was discovered by intrepid gay marriage supporting researchers. Result: He was KICKED OUT as CEO of Mozilla.
Did his quiet support of traditional marriage do any good for him?
Let’s throw the MSM into a tailspin and see how they handle it. Send a gay person into a store in Dearborn, MI, and see the owner’s reaction. Since a huge proportion of Dearborn is Muslim, and their religion prohibits homosexuality, I just wonder how the Lefties would handle the story.
What he’s saying about his business operations, is very different from people in the wedding business not wanting to service a homosexual wedding ceremony.
The pizza place and this guy are completely different stories. The pizza place didn’t want to cater/take part in a celebration of sin. This guy just doesn’t want to fix their cars? To compare the two is dishonest. I am sure the pizza place wouldn’t cater to a whole host of events they find sinful....but the individuals just ordering service? Not Christian.
He’s going to be swarmed with flaming faggots looking to have their injectors serviced,
If any of these opinion writers or reporters had any balls, they'd go into the black or Latino community and ask them whether they would be willing to serve openly gay customers. The answers would not be too politically correct. But no, let's just find literally every white person in America who doesn't like gays and highlight it and navel gaze about it. A sad joke.
While I don’t think the government has any business telling any business whom they can and can’t serve, I do disagree with this guy and lean toward the points made by the blog quoted in the story. As a Christian I would not refuse to serve a gay customer who came into my store merely because they were gay. Same if they were diveroced or were someone I know had cheated on their spouse or never called their elderly mother to check in on her. I don’t believe that would be a good Christian witness. We are all sinners and Jesus certainly served and healed sinners. The gay marriage thing is a completely different kettle of fish. I don’t think any Christian should ever provide any goods or services to facilitate a gay wedding - I consider that blasphemy.
I just think it is a mistake to announce this early on until you actually do it and then their are issue to face. Seems he is shouting fire in a theater just to see what happens.
Then again any publicity can end up being good in the end.
RE: Why is this a freakin story? Its one guy. He’s not prominent, he’s not a politician, he’s not some wealthy CEO.
Because it is a cultural battle with huge national repercussions for small businesses and devout Christians who own businesses.
One does not have to be a CEO to see the implications for everyone who takes his faith seriously should men like him be taken to court, forced into involuntary servitude, fined and have his business closed should he remain true to his beliefs.
This is a FIRST AMENDMENT issue and everyone ought to take it seriously.
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
[ United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
Maybe he's looking to raise $800,000 on a gofundme site?
And of course, “Allahpundit” is getting his moderate digs in. He spends more time attacking conservatives than he does attacking Liberal Fascists.
Their cars won’t start. There’s a potato stuffed up the tailpipe.
There is a big difference between the Pizza & Bakery and this dude. What this man is saying he will not serve NO gays - period. He is not being asked to partake in any gay celebration. Unlike the Pizza and Bakery who were asked to create and partake a role in a gay celebration. Like the Pizza, she stated she has no problem serving gays just that she does not want to participate in any matter because of her religious convictions. Big difference here folks. Unless there is a gay car - is there?
RE: “Allahpundit” is getting his moderate digs in.
I’ve always wondered ... how did the “Boss Lady” (Michelle Malkin ) find this bozo...
RE: Maybe he’s looking to raise $800,000 on a gofundme site?
Yep... this man either has a martyr complex or is tired of doing his business and is waiting to close it in a blaze of glory.
I can’t think of any better reason.
Yeah, this is the equivalent of the villain monologue causing his ultimate failure. He could have done what he wanted to do privately forever. Now, he’s in for the Memories Pizza treatment.
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