Posted on 07/10/2015 7:19:11 PM PDT by kindred
Melissa and Aaron Klein are pushing back against the punishment imposed on them for simply living out their Christian faith.
The Kleins, former owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, are facing a $135,000 fine from their home state of Oregon for declining to create a wedding cake for a same-sex ceremony in 2013.
After turning down the business, a complaint was filed before the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. Last week, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian finalized a fine of $135,000 against the Kleins, ordering them to pay the lesbian couple for "emotional damages," according to Fox News and The Daily Signal.
American Family Association brought the plight of the Kleins to the attention of its 1 million friends and supporters through an Action Alert yesterday.
"Aaron and Melissa Klein aren't backing down from this calculated attack on their religious liberties and their freedom of speech," said AFA President Tim Wildmon. "Now is the time for all Christians to stand together in support of the Kleins and their five children, letting them know that we support them, their stance for God's definition of marriage and their bravery in the face of this incredible ordeal."
Labor Commissioner Avakian also imposed a gag order on the couple, mandating that they "cease and desist" from speaking publicly about not wanting to bake cakes for same-sex weddings based on their Christian beliefs. Read more at OneNewsNow, the AFA news service.
"This [decision] effectively strips us of all our First Amendment rights," the Kleins stated on their Facebook page. "According to the state of Oregon, we have neither freedom of religion nor freedom of speech."
The Kleins have requested a stay on the fine to delay the order so they can begin the appeals process. Fox News also reported that if they Kleins don't pay the fine by Monday, July 13, a lien could be imposed on their home. Melissa and Aaron also spoke during the American Pastors Network daily radio program, "Stand in the Gap Today," on Thursday.
AFA is encouraging supporters to sign a petition that will be sent to the Kleins, which states, "Thank you for remaining strong in your faith and for defending religious freedom for all Christians. Please know that I stand with you and will continue to pray for the Klein family and Sweet Cakes by Melissa. May God grant you wisdom, strength and peace as you go forward in your faithfulness to Him." AFA also shared the ContinuetoGive site that allows friends and supporters to help them financially. (Join us on our new podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.)
Homos and lesbians aren’t just the ass-clowns parading at gay festivals.
They are everywhere throughout our society.
They are in elected positions, government bureaucracies, and sitting in judicial robes.
They are lawyers and business people.
They run large banks and other corporations, print newspapers, publish books and teach our children.
They run police department, police towns and fight fires.
They play pro sports, coach children’s teams, fix our cars and do our home repairs.
You can’t get away from them.
The homo movement would never have moved so far so fast without closet homos in high, influetial positions.
Do you suppose Alexander Solzhenitsyn might have some words of wisdom for situations like these?
Don’t know Alexander but John Ross does.
Paging Mr. Henry Bowman...
Among many others. How about due process? Sad. This is no longer the America I grew up in.
I wouldn't want the support of Satan's church.
They need a New York lawyer. Countersue their adzes. Make them work.
He would say “Defect.”
We must immediately stir the spirit of active, courageous resistance in our fellow countrymen, to rescue the country from judges and their enablers who are practicing the jurisprudence of the loony bin, in the make believe land of rainbows and unicorns. If we fail to act, and swiftly, this great free republic which was gifted to us by God and by our forebears will be gone, and our posterity will be destroyed. If we do act, en masse, we will win easily. The other side is not as strong as so many seem to fear, and our strength, if we act together, is far greater than most seem to realize. Fight!
I'm curious. When have you ever noted the Catholic Church expending funds on such causes?
I ask because, when stationed in Italy, my unit sponsored an orphanage. It was run by the Catholic Church which equated to the presence of a priest and 3 nuns to take care of about 35 orphans. The place was in serious disrepair and we fixed/renovated much of the building to stop leaks and plug windowless holes, etc. The Church donated zero in financial resources to it - if the folks did not donate, it would stop existing. It struck me as a bit odd for what may be the wealthiest institution on the planet to be so stingy with "its" money even for good causes.
Why do we now have commissions deciding cases rather than courts of law? Was there a jury that convicted these Christians? They have the constitutional right to a jury trial.
Christians must become friendly with jury nullification strategies to beat back these unjust, demonic, persecuting forces.
Christians who live nearby should be outside Avakian’s house outing and shaming him for his intolerance and persecution of Christians.
Exactly. This is a Christian mission.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.