In 2013, years before the Obergefell v .Hodges Supreme Court decision that made same-sex marriage the so-called “law of the land,” a small family owned and operated bakery in Oregon refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian wedding because it was a violation of their Constitutional right to exercise their freedom of religion.
Even though the Oregon law they allegedly violated—Oregon Equality Act of 2007–contained exemptions for religious organizations and schools when it came to sexual orientation issues, the state does not consider religion to be relevant when it comes to Christian-owned businesses. After being fined $135,000 by the state of Oregon, and receiving numerous protests and death threats, Sweet Cakes by Melissa is now officially closed . . . for good!
Efforts to survive as Aaron and Melissa Klein fought to have their right to religious freedom restored have been long and difficult. They closed the doors to their storefront location in 2013 and moved the business to their home in order to no longer be a place of public accommodation. They started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money in order to pay their fine, but GoFundMe shut it down claiming that it violated company policy. And in December, 2015, just before Christmas, the state of Oregon seized every penny of the personal funds.
Despite these valiant efforts, and with the business completely ruined, the Klein family was literally run out of business by the anti-Christian, pro-LGBT Gay Mafia.
In the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion that the religious doctrines of those who objected to same-sex marriage would be protected.
“It must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths … and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered.”
But as Chief Justice John Roberts countered when he wrote for the minority, Kennedy used the word “advocate” to describe our religious rights, while the Constitution uses the word “exercise.”
“Many good and decent people oppose same-sex marriage as a tenet of faith, and their freedom to exercise religion is—unlike the right imagined by the majority—actually spelled out in the Constitution.”
Though the complaint in Oregon preceded the Supreme Court decision, the difference spoken of by Roberts is evident in the case. And unfortunately, it means that cases such as Sweet Cakes by Melissa will no longer be an aberration.
As I have documented many times, the agenda of the LGBT radicals has nothing to do with equal rights. Their primary objective is the complete and utter destruction of morality and Christianity in America–and in the end, the Constitutional rights of every American. And for those who read this and claim that I’m nothing more than a scare-mongering, right-wing extremist, consider this quote from Masha Gessen (a lesbian activist) about the real goal of the homosexual movement:
“The institution of marriage is going to change, and it should change. And again, I don’t think it should exist. I have three kids who have five parents, more or less, and I don’t see why they shouldn’t have five parents legally… I met my new partner, and she had just had a baby, and that baby’s biological father is my brother, and my daughter’s biological father is a man who lives in Russia, and my adopted son also considers him his father. So the five parents break down into two groups of three… And really, I would like to live in a legal system that is capable of reflecting that reality, and I don’t think that’s compatible with the institution of marriage.”
Or this little tidbit from the article, Gay power vs. religious liberty:
“The legal struggle for queer rights will one day be a struggle between freedom of religion versus sexual orientation.” – Canadian lesbian lawyer Barbara Finlay, quoted by columnist John Leo and Janet Folger (Porter), “The Criminalization of Christianity”
And this from the Obama administration:
The “zero-sum game” is how homosexual activist law professor and Obama EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) appointee Chai Feldblum describes the legal battles between modern “rights” based on homosexual “orientation” (read: behavior) and the traditional American principle of religious liberty.
“Gays win, Christians lose,” Feldblum said, predicting homosexuals would win most of the legal contests.
From same-sex marriage to the transgender hysteria currently consuming the nation, the Gay Mafia thugs working on behalf of the LGBT radicals–consisting of government, public schools and politically-correct businesses–are armed to the hilt, and stand ready to advance their pro-LGBT, anti-Christian, anti-American agenda.
Our Constitutional rights are slipping away day-by-day. Unfortunately, too many in today’s church are too ignorant and indifferent to care, let alone do anything to stop it.
David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative, your source for opinion that’s politically-incorrect and always “right.” His articles can also be found on RedState.com.
His daily radio commentary is nationally syndicated with Salem Radio Network and can be heard on stations across America.
