In a new interview with Gospelherald.com, Christian bakers Aaron and Melissa Klein said they are going to “follow the Lord regardless of the consequences.”
The Kleins are bakers in Oregon. On July 2, 2015, Commissioner Brad Avakian, the head of Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), ordered the Kleins to pay $135,000 to two women as a penalty for what Avakian called the “emotional damages” of offending the women by declining to bake the cake for their homosexual “wedding.”
The Kleins are Evangelical Christians who believe that marriage is only between a man and woman. They are appealing the ruling to the Oregon Court of Appeals. They are being represented by the First Liberty Institute. From the institute’s website:
First Liberty Institute, along with Ambassador Boyden Gray (former White House Counsel for President George H.W. Bush, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, and law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren), is appealing the Kleins’ case to the Oregon Court of Appeals. In the appeal, they will argue that the State of Oregon is violating Melissa and Aaron’s constitutional rights to free speech, free expression, and religious liberty.
“The government should not force people to violate their conscience or their faith,” said Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty Institute. “One of the great things about America is that we are a tolerant society that protects diversity of thought. We should all be willing to peacefully coexist with different opinions.”
More here (with video)
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7 comments:
Isn't it ironic that under Obamacare Muslims are exempt from the law because of their religious views but these people are not allowed to practice their beliefs. See why we need Trump?
If I own a business , I should be able to refuse service to anyone without government intervention. The government has nothing to do with my business other than collect taxes.
10:48 I agree.
This is so easy. Just bake them a cake and make it really ugly so they will refuse it. Problem solved.
I agree with Eleven Eleven.
More than 1 way to skin a kat.
Go to another bakery...problem solved..oh yeah--I forgot--that would be too easy...instead try to force them to do this...there is no emotional damage, just $$$$ signs, and a political agenda.
Flaw in 11:11's argument is that then they'd be sued for ruining the 'wedding' with a bad cake. Perhaps if they'd offer to craft a fruitcake?
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