Gay Weddings? Let Them Eat Cake - A different perspective

A recent post on Jonathan’s “Coffee Shop Pastor” blog asked the question, “Should Christians make Gay Wedding Cakes?” and kicked off an email discussion between the author and myself. The answer Jonathan gave was “yes” and his reasons can be found in his February 26th blog by clicking here.

To summarize- Jonathan believes as Christians we should serve others, including those we don’t agree with. I absolutely agree. He also questions whether as Christians we want to live in a society where we can refuse business transactions based on religious beliefs. Here’s where I must respectfully disagree. I believe any business owner should have the right to follow his conscience when deciding whom he will do business with if it violates a deeply held conviction.

Answering the question of whether we want to live in a society where we can refuse to do business with those with whom we disagree, I emphatically say, “It depends.” Do we wish to force those contractors who are morally opposed to abortion to bid on a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic? I think there is a discernible difference between refusing to do business with those we don’t like and refusing to engage in business that goes against our core beliefs.

I also believe we are to follow Christ’s example in standing up for what is right. Examples of this are the times he exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day and his throwing the “moneychangers” out of the temple. When we stand up for righteousness in a loving way, we show the world our principles are something we really believe in. Turning down business (especially in today’s economy) is something most people would view as odd if not downright crazy and could illustrate there are things more important than profit- like principles.

Some may refer to the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman to show how he was unwilling to condemn her sinful behavior. While I agree, Jesus defended the woman the most important part of the story is at the end. John 8:11 (NIV)- “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Italics mine) Jesus made sure to tell the woman she needed to change the direction of her sinful life. I believe making a cake for a Gay Wedding implicitly implies acceptance of the wedding and by extension the behavior.

In closing, I’d like to share a couple of thoughts:

First- I tried to stay away from the political arguments since I am uncomfortable with the way Arizona approached this issue. My belief is that government should stay out of the way unless compelled to act and Arizona wasn’t facing any imminent danger of religious persecution.

Second- I do believe there are certain factions in our society whose objective is to force their belief system down the throats of any and all who may not agree with them- and they’re not Christians. I think it’s more important for these factions to be “oppressed” than it is for them to celebrate a wedding. I know this- if I had someone tell me they didn’t want to bake a cake for my son or daughter’s baptism (because they felt Christianity was silly, oppressive to women, neanderthal or… well pick one) I would simply find a baker who would.

Now that’s a radical idea.

-DJ Haugh

Should Christians Make Gay Wedding Cakes?

Yes.






The debate rages across America. Religious Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are working overtime- rallying their sides to both defend and attack Arizona's SB 1062.

What the bill accomplishes depends on who you ask.

Proponents of the bill claim it would protect business owners from violating their personal religious beliefs. Supporters point to a Colorado baker named Jack Phillips, who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Phillips refused to create the cake claiming it would infringe on his personal religious views towards homosexuality. This past December a Federal Judge ruled that Phillips broke Colorado's Anti-Discrimination law. Arizona SB 1062 is intended to protect those like Phillips who believe that their religious freedoms are being threatened by activists courts and laws.

Critics of Arizona's bill claim it will increase oppression and discrimination towards those who have long felt marginalized by society and the courts.  The ACLU of Arizona released a statement urging the Governor to veto the bill- fearing that the bill, "Allow[s] private individuals and businesses to use religion to discriminate, sending a message that Arizona is intolerant and unwelcoming." Many businesses like the NFL, Apple, American Airlines and AT&T have threatened to leave Arizona if Governor Brewer signs SB 1062 into law.

I think Christians should make gay wedding cakes.  Here's why....

• Serving our neighbors does not mean agreeing with their personal beliefs.  Just hours before Jesus was arrested, he was in the upper room where he washed his disciples feet. He served every disciple, not just those he liked.  Jesus even aided Judas who had already aligned himself with the corrupt religious leaders to betray Him. 
• Do Christians want a society where we can refuse a business interaction with another person on the sole basis of our personal religious beliefs.  What if an Atheist restaurant owner refused to serve a Christian family because she thought Christianity was foolish? How would Christians respond to a Muslim store owner denying Christians access to their goods because they were buying items for a Youth Group activity?  Would Christians tolerate being denied access to a doctor's office because the doctor disagreed with the patient's personal religious views on the sanctity of life?
• Christians support Anti-Discrimination laws because they reflect the Biblical truth that everyone has value by being created in God's Image. The Biblical view that every person is created in God's Image extends to everyone -even those who may be opposed to the cause of Christ.
• A democratic society protects the rights of minority from the oppression of the majority. Freedom of Religion exists as ways of ensuring that even non-traditional religions have equal protection. Our Bill of Rights must extend to everyone, even those whose lifestyle may exist outside of Biblical parameters.
• Serving those with whom we disagree seems to be a core message of the Cross.  Jesus willingly died for  everyone, even those who were in defiant opposition to Him.  Serving those outside of our religious and moral spheres is at the heart of Christianity.
• Jesus calls us to Love God and to Love Others.  It is rewarding to Love God, and its easy to Love Others (who think, look, act and believe like me in every way).  However, true Christian love is meant to extend to everyone, not just those who believe just like me.
• In January of 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a 'ministerial exception' from employment discrimination laws.  This ruling allows religious institutions to hire and fire employees without government interference. In a 9-0 unanimous vote, Chief Justice Roberts affirmed, “The Establishment Clause prevents the government from appointing ministers, and the Free Exercise Clause prevents it from interfering with the freedom of religious groups to select their own.”

Jesus parting words before his death are instructive for us today...

'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.'

Sunday Morning Left-Overs - Finding My Purpose in Life

Finding our Purpose in Life can be complex and confusing, right?  There are so many competing answers and conflicting ideas that shape our perception of our Life's Purpose.

Over the past few weeks I've had the chance to ask many people about their life's purpose.  The answers varied from, 'I have no idea,' to 'leaving the world a better place.'

To this end, there is an entire industry devoted to helping people identify their purpose in life; yet at the same time so many of us are unable to identify our Life's Purpose.
Jesus was once asked, 'What is the greatest commandment?'  The question was a trap, a bomb thrown at him hoping it would explode.  Jesus' reply is found in Matthew 22, "Love God and Love Others.'

Love God and Love Others seems so simple, and in some ways it is.  But to do so brings radical change to our life.   Loving God means surrendering to Jesus, obeying His commands and placing him first in our lives.  Loving Others means putting their needs first, and celebrating the value that comes from a result of being created in God's image.

Why do you think that there are so many competing answers to the question, 'What is your Life's Purpose?'

Have you found Loving God and Loving Others to be easy or difficult?