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Illinois Commission Panel Says Christian-Owned Bed & Breakfast Must Host Gay Weddings
Christian Post ^ | 12/06/2016 | Michael Gryboski

Posted on 12/06/2016 2:34:16 PM PST by SeekAndFind

A decision forcing a Christian-owned bed and breakfast to pay a same-sex couple $30,000 for refusing to host their wedding ceremony will stand.

A 3-member panel of the Illinois Human Rights Commission refused to hear an appeal in a decision compelling TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast to pay a fine for declining to host a gay wedding on their property, although they have hosted opposite-sex weddings in the past.

TimberCreek owner Jim Walder told The Christian Post that they took issue with the panel decision and were planning to appeal to the full state Human Rights Commission.

"Citizens should only decide not to obey a law after much thought and only in extreme circumstances," said Walder.

"In our opinion, forcing a small business with one employee to host gay marriage which violates the owners sincerely-held Biblical belief that marriage is between one man and one woman is an extreme circumstance, especially when marriage has been understood for thousands of years to be a union between one man and one woman."

In 2011, TimberCreek refused to host a same-sex wedding ceremony, with Walder stating at the time that he opposed on religious grounds to holding such ceremonies even if they became legal.

"We will never host same-sex civil unions. We will never host same-sex weddings even if they become legal in Illinois," said Walder in 2011.

"We believe homosexuality is wrong and unnatural based on what the Bible says about it. If that is discrimination, I guess we unfortunately discriminate."

In response to the refusal, the same-sex couple filed a formal complaint with the state's Department of Human Rights arguing that it is a rejection of the Illinois Human Rights Act.

In March, Administrative Law Judge Michael R. Robinson ordered TimberCreek to pay the same-sex couple $30,000 for causing emotional distress, plus over $50,000 in attorney fees.

"Respondent [must] pay each Complainant $15,000, which represents damages for the emotional distress arising out [of] its refusal to host their same-sex, civil union ceremony," ordered Robinson.

"Respondent [must] be directed to cease and desist from violating the Human Rights Act by discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation when denying same-sex couples access to its facilities and services for their civil union ceremonies and/or marriages."

Regarding the Commission's upholding of the previous decision, Walder told a local media outlet that the "fix was in from the get-go," as he said two of the three panel members were involved in LGBT activism or openly gay.

"The public probably assumes that these three commissioners were nonpartisan, fair and neutral when the exact opposite was the case," stated Walder.

"This feels like blatant reverse discrimination against all business owners, Christian or otherwise, by the IHRC, which is supposed to be an unbiased, neutral party in resolving complaints."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: christians; gaymarriage; gaystapo; illinois
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To: CharlesWayneCT

I bring up the Fashion designer not willing to do Melanie Trump dress Based on Politics


21 posted on 12/06/2016 3:02:39 PM PST by scooby321 (o even lower)
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To: SeekAndFind

The Gaystapo on the march again.


22 posted on 12/06/2016 3:04:31 PM PST by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
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To: SeekAndFind

So....Elton John will be fined for not playing at Trump’s inaugural party?


23 posted on 12/06/2016 3:04:53 PM PST by SERKIT ("Blazing Saddles" explains it all.......)
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To: Mariner

I hope someone would find a difference between serving someone in a restaurant vs refusing to rent your property out for religious rites that contradict your own beliefs

There are many accommodations available to homosexual ceremonies not like the plaintiffs were denied their rights

” emotional distress” now means stompy feet


24 posted on 12/06/2016 3:05:42 PM PST by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: SeekAndFind

Hey. I have an idea. Why don’t these homosexuals d3emand to have their “weddings” at a Mosque?


25 posted on 12/06/2016 3:06:37 PM PST by Howie66 ("Tone down the tagline please." - Admin Moderator)
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To: marktwain
Actually there is a good body of state laws that draw an equivalence between this and the refusal to serve Blacks in your restaurant. Or let them stay in your motel.

The problem is, skin color is a genetic condition. People are born with a given pigmentation. But homosexuality is a choice. You decide to partner with one of your own gender, much as you decide whether or not to shop at Walmart.

26 posted on 12/06/2016 3:07:59 PM PST by meyer (There is no political solution to this troubling evolution...)
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To: SeekAndFind

Unless the wedding dress is designed by Ivanka, then it’s ok.


27 posted on 12/06/2016 3:10:12 PM PST by NonValueAdded (#DeplorableMe #BitterClinger #HillNO! #MyPresident #MAGA)
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To: meyer

The problem is, skin color is a genetic condition. People are born with a given pigmentation. But homosexuality is a choice.
_-———————————————————————————

Which is why the “progressives” simultaneously claim that homosexuality has a genetic component, and that sexual identity is an individual choice. They never let logic get in the way of their power structuring.


28 posted on 12/06/2016 3:10:23 PM PST by marktwain
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To: scooby321

My earlier example was two musical acts who, after having actually BOOKED concerts at the Boy Scout Jamboree, refused to play and pulled out because the Boy Scouts didn’t allow gay leaders.


29 posted on 12/06/2016 3:10:57 PM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: SeekAndFind

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE ON THE IL COMMISSION PANEL
(Excellent organization for year end giving)

Homosexuals & Corrupt Illinois Human Rights Commission vs. Christian Business Owner
Https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/homosexuals-corrupt-illinois-human-rights-commission-vs-christian-business-owner/

More Questions About Dubious Illinois Human Rights Commission
https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/questions-dubious-illinois-human-rights-commission/


30 posted on 12/06/2016 3:13:50 PM PST by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12)
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To: SeekAndFind

How would these fascist libtards like it if a judge ordered them to accept Donald trump as President?


31 posted on 12/06/2016 3:14:45 PM PST by MAGA2017
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To: SeekAndFind

Will they force muzlim organizations to accept same-sex couples?


32 posted on 12/06/2016 3:16:13 PM PST by I want the USA back (Lying Media: willing and eager allies of the hate-America left.)
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To: marktwain

Whatever happened to “We reserve the right to refuse service to ANYONE “ ???


33 posted on 12/06/2016 3:18:56 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: marktwain
Which is why the “progressives” simultaneously claim that homosexuality has a genetic component, ...

Of course, if it were a genetic trait, then homosexuality would cease to exist within a couple of generations since there is no desire to procreate.

I've seen a few "switch teams" so I know it isn't genetic.

34 posted on 12/06/2016 3:23:44 PM PST by meyer (There is no political solution to this troubling evolution...)
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To: SeekAndFind

I wonder if they would apply the the same rules and standards to a mussie run B&B who are anti-GESTAPO?


35 posted on 12/06/2016 3:28:40 PM PST by SkyDancer (Ambtion Without Talent Is Sad - Talent Without Ambition Is Worse)
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To: SeekAndFind

Why do I think this is going to become a cottage industry, like those lawyers that go around suing for disability access? Go to every business in town say your having a gay wedding, anyone who refuses is sued. There won’t even be a wedding. Madness.


36 posted on 12/06/2016 3:34:04 PM PST by sharkhawk (GO CUBS GO)
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To: SeekAndFind

Why do we never hear of Muslim owned business being forced to bow to the gaystapo?


37 posted on 12/06/2016 3:35:15 PM PST by Organic Panic (Gentrification in America. Rich White Man Evicts Poor Black Family - MSNBCPBSCNNNYTABC)
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To: SeekAndFind

These people need to be prosecuted some day. What they are doing is both evil and an abuse of government power, and they know it. They should pay with their money and their freedom. And I’m okay if they get the death penalty if their persecution under color of law even indirectly leads to the death of their victims.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/242

18 U.S. Code § 242 - Deprivation of rights under color of law

Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States . . . shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both . . . [or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.]


38 posted on 12/06/2016 3:35:22 PM PST by Pollster1 ("Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed")
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To: SeekAndFind

Yeah, but the muzzie cashier at the grocery store doesn’t have to touch bacon. Seems fair. /s


39 posted on 12/06/2016 3:38:42 PM PST by Veggie Todd (The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. TJ)
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To: SeekAndFind

This is why homosexual sex is called a capital crime in the Old and New Testaments. Homosexuals who demand their “rights” never stop demanding more and more. They demand privacy to commit their crimes. Then they demand to publicly promote it. Then they demand everyone applaud it. Then they demand children. Then they demand to fine and imprison anyone who disagrees. Soon, like the males of Sodom did, they will be beating down doors, demanding to rape any new flesh that comes along. It will only end with war or Divine retribution.


40 posted on 12/06/2016 4:05:03 PM PST by unlearner (11/8/2016 - a new beginning.)
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