One of the common misconceptions about LGBTQ folks is the idea that we want to patronize the businesses of Christian bigots, which is not the case at all.
It's the surprise factor --- as in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, decided in the bigoted baker's favor Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court, sort of.
Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, planning to get hitched, saw Jack Phillips' advertising and decided he'd be just the guy to bake their cake. So far, so good --- until Phillips told them their impending nuptials were against his religion and that his god might send him straight into that great end-times conflagration if he sifted confectioner's sugar over their congratulatory pastry. Or something like that.
As it happens, to deny "public accommodation" --- and that includes baking cakes in a business open to the general public --- is against Colorado's anti-discrimination laws. Hence, the long court battle.
In the end, Colorado anti-discrimination laws --- and those of all other states that have them --- remain in effect. But the court chastised one of the commissioners for offending Phillips' tender feelings by suggesting that his interpretation of holy writ had led him down the path to bigotry. The commissioners should have been nicer. Phillips, the court ruled, had been denied a "neutral arbiter."
All of this could have been avoided had Mr. Phillips taken a simple precaution that I'd suggest to any god-fearing businessperson who doesn't like either gay folks or their money. Just post a Bible verse in your front window --- or incorporate it into your advertising. Doesn't make much difference which Bible verse, since few actually read that mighty hunk of lugubrious literature these days, but including a "thou shalt" will help reinforce the message.
The good book tells us that we'll recognize Christians by their love and how they live their lives --- not by their signage. Using scripture as a sales tool outside effectively conveys the message --- unless you're a church --- that there's the potential for trouble inside and that it's best to just keep on driving.
1 comment:
I find your thoughts on this subject possibly influenced more by emotion than logic. You wish to be equally valued for your beliefs, yet you label the man, who believed his personal convictions would not allow him to "bless" a same-sex union with the art of his craft, as a "bigot". You have had no conversation with this business man; possibly have never had a level-headed conversation with someone who has no "phobia" of LGBTQ people, just believes that what they practice is counter to the beliefs that person holds dear. Either all are allowed their personal beliefs, or they are not. I am curious how you know what the "good book says" in one paragraph, when you refer to it as "that mighty hunk of lugubrious literature" just in the previous paragraph. If you "see a Bible verse" and "just keep driving", then I have my doubts that you truly know what the good book says. I agree to disagree with you.
I do enjoy your blog posts where historical facts are backed up with research, documentation and photographs.
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