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“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.” 
~Blaise Pascal

A Case For Freedom & Masterpiece Bakery

4/26/2016

1 Comment

 
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Would it be acceptable to force a Jewish chef to roast a pig for a party celebrating Hitler's birthday?  Would it be acceptable to force a black person to cater a party for the Ku Klux Klan?  What about forcing forcing an atheist photographer to take pictures of a baptism?  

Freedom is under attack!  We no longer allow other people the freedom to apply their convictions, UNLESS those convictions are deemed politically correct or socially acceptable in certain circles.  It is easy to say that no Jewish chef should be forced to roast a pig for a party celebrating Hitler's birthday because virtually everyone thinks Hitler was a disgusting person who perpetrated horrific deeds.  The same can be said regarding a black person and the Ku Klux Klan.  

What about forcing an atheist photographer who is apposed to Christianity to take pictures of a baptism?  As a Christian Pastor I would argue that, that photographer should be free to refuse that job or any other job that violates his conscience in the same way that Jack Philips of Masterpiece Bakery ought to be able to refuse to do cakes for bachelor parties, Halloween parties, or same sex weddings.

Today the Colorado supreme court didn't just deal a blow to religious liberty, but to all liberty!

I count Jack a friend.  I know him well enough to know that he is one of the kindest and most compassionate men I know.  He isn't judgmental in any legitimate sense of the word.  He is more than happy to serve people no matter what their sexual decisions are.  Where Jack draws the line is using his talents to participate in events that violate his conscience.  Now the state has insisted that he does not have the freedom to make those choices.  The state has decided that it will control how Jack uses his talents and how he will run his business.   

In the end it doesn't matter whether you agree with Jack or not.  The question is this, do you think that the government should be able to force you to violate your conscience or not?  If it can happen to Jack, why do you think it won't happen to you?

1 Comment
Douglas Groothuis link
4/26/2016 05:18:45 pm

John:

Good article. I am as outraged as you are. I am glad Jack has you for a pastor.

However, the best analogy for your argument is the atheist photographer and the baptism, since it reverses things nicely. The other two examples, while making your point, could (wrongly) be taken as you likening same sex marriage to Hitlerian philosophy and Klan ideology. This is a rhetorical point.

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    John Byrne is a pastor who has been spouting off his opinions his entire life (just ask his mom).  This little blog is his venue for continuing in this tradition.

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