Let’s tackle it, brother...
A thread on the #GayWeddingCake decision, asking a simple question:
How can a gay guy support the Christian baker?
To the thread!
A thread on the #GayWeddingCake decision, asking a simple question:
How can a gay guy support the Christian baker?
To the thread!
Let’s start with a scenario: I decide to get married. (Gulp)
First, I understand that society is evolving. My religion is evolving. My family is evolving.
That’s just life.
To those that reject me, I offer grace, love, & patience. In my quiet moments, I feel pangs of sorrow.
First, I understand that society is evolving. My religion is evolving. My family is evolving.
That’s just life.
To those that reject me, I offer grace, love, & patience. In my quiet moments, I feel pangs of sorrow.
Yet a wedding only requires me, my love, & an officiant. Maybe a witness.
I don’t have the right to force anyone to join. That includes an Orthodox Jew or evangelical Christian to officiate.
My right to wed doesn’t trump their right to a sincerely held religious belief.
I don’t have the right to force anyone to join. That includes an Orthodox Jew or evangelical Christian to officiate.
My right to wed doesn’t trump their right to a sincerely held religious belief.
Meanwhile, the Gov’t must grant me a marriage license. Why?
Our republic rests on protecting unalienable rights. Life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.
A central path to happiness for most Americans is marriage. It’s the bedrock of social, financial, & emotional stability
Our republic rests on protecting unalienable rights. Life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.
A central path to happiness for most Americans is marriage. It’s the bedrock of social, financial, & emotional stability
Meanwhile, if you’re a government worker who objects to issuance, tough cookies. (I’m looking at you, #KimDavis)
While on the clock, we must faithfully execute our duties. It is not a time to evangelize or stand our religious ground.
If that’s too hard, it’s time for a new job
While on the clock, we must faithfully execute our duties. It is not a time to evangelize or stand our religious ground.
If that’s too hard, it’s time for a new job
That leaves us, though, with the legally & morally sticky areas. Like the florists. Musicians. Photographers.
The bakers.
Should the Gov’t force them to serve folks like me or face fines / jail if they refuse?
The bakers.
Should the Gov’t force them to serve folks like me or face fines / jail if they refuse?
This means we must still wrestle with each case as it comes.
My view: a desire for a cake does not trump a baker’s religious beliefs. His faith is a sacred, foundational right. Our republic depends on these liberties.
My want of a cake / flowers / etc simply doesn’t come close.
My view: a desire for a cake does not trump a baker’s religious beliefs. His faith is a sacred, foundational right. Our republic depends on these liberties.
My want of a cake / flowers / etc simply doesn’t come close.
None of this means I can’t find remedy with what I see as an injustice.
Maybe I start a letter campaign. Or open my own bakery.
Or maybe I buy the guy a cup of coffee. We talk. We listen. We grow.
That’s how it should be. That’s how America wrestles w/ opposing beliefs.
Maybe I start a letter campaign. Or open my own bakery.
Or maybe I buy the guy a cup of coffee. We talk. We listen. We grow.
That’s how it should be. That’s how America wrestles w/ opposing beliefs.
A line is prob crossed, however, when I can no longer find reasonable accommodation of my needs.
For instance, in my rural county, there’s only one florist.
I imagine #SCOTUS will be hearing cases like this in the future. And I suspect that the ruling will not be 7-2 but 5-4.
For instance, in my rural county, there’s only one florist.
I imagine #SCOTUS will be hearing cases like this in the future. And I suspect that the ruling will not be 7-2 but 5-4.
Bottom line: If we, as a nation, are to deny someone their #ReligiousFreedom, we better make damn sure the reason for doing so is of grave consequence to the offended.
Otherwise, we risk more than just a lost cake.
We risk the very liberties that make America so exceptional.
Otherwise, we risk more than just a lost cake.
We risk the very liberties that make America so exceptional.
