Christian Photographers Ordered to Shoot Homosexual ‘Weddings’ Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
ALBEQUERQUE – Attorneys for a Christian couple in New Mexico who were told by the courts that they may not refuse to shoot homosexual ‘weddings’ in the state have appealed the ruling to the United States Supreme Court.As previously reported, Elane Huguenin and her husband Jon run Elane Photography in Albuquerque. In 2006, when Vanessa Willock, a lesbian, approached Elane and requested that she photograph her commitment ceremony, Huguenin declined, stating that she only covers traditional weddings.
The situation soon ended up before the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, who ruled against Huguenin in 2008, stating that she was guilty of violating the state’s “sexual orientation” discrimination law. New Mexico law prohibits “any person in a public accommodation to make a distinction, directly or indirectly, in offering or refusing to offer its services …to any person because of…sexual orientation.” The commission then ordered the photographer to pay nearly $7,000 in fines for refusing to shoot the ceremony.
Huguenin appealed the decision in December 2009, arguing that forcing her to go against her beliefs regarding homosexuality would be like forcing African Americans to photograph Klu Klux Klan members. Last June, the Mexico State Court of Appeals released a 45-page opinion upholding the guilty verdict.
The Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) then appealed the decision to the state Supreme Court, which ruled unanimously in August that Huguenin must shoot homosexual weddings despite her convictions. The panel was comprised of Justices Patricia Serna, Petra Jimenez Maes, Edward Chavels, Richard Bosson and Charles Daniels.
“[W]hen Elane Photography refused to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony, it violated the NMHRA in the same way as if it had refused to photograph a wedding between people of different races,” the court concluded.
Justice Richard C. Bosson, who wrote a concurring opinion, had even stronger words regarding the matter. He asserted that while the Huguenins are being forced by the court to compromise the commandments of God, everyone must make concessions in life over matters that violate their conscience. He outlined that the Huguenins may freely live out their faith privately, but when it comes to running a public business, they will have to “pay the price” and check their Christian convictions at the door.
“The Huguenins are free to think, to say, to believe, as they wish; they may pray to the God of their choice and follow those commandments in their personal lives wherever they lead. The Constitution protects the Huguenins in that respect and much more. But there is a price, one that we all have to pay somewhere in our civic life,” he stated.
“That compromise is part of the glue that holds us together as a nation, the tolerance that lubricates the varied moving parts of us as a people,” Bosson asserted. “In short, I would say to the Huguenins, with the utmost respect: it is the price of citizenship.”
ADF has now petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and affirm to the nation that businesses have the right to conduct commerce in accordance with their faith.
“The idea that free people can be ‘compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives’ as the ‘price of citizenship’ is a chilling and unprecedented attack on freedom,” said Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence. “We are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to make it clear that no American has to abandon their constitutionally protected freedoms just to make a living. No American should be punished or put out of business simply for disagreeing with the government’s opinion on a moral issue.”
“Every artist must be free to create work that expresses what he or she believes and not be forced by the government to express opposing views,” added Legal Counsel Jim Campbell. “Should the government force an African-American photographer to take pictures of a KKK rally? A government that can force anyone to promote messages against his or her will is a government out of control.
Christian Florist Asks Court to Throw Out ‘Inappropriate’ Homosexual Discrimination Lawsuit
RICHLAND, Wash. – Attorneys for a Christian florist in Washington have asked a county court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the state attorney general, which accused her of violating Washington’s anti-discrimination law for declining to help decorate a same-sex “wedding.”As previously reported, Baronelle Stutzman of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland was leveled with a lawsuit in March by State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who claims that she violated the law by not fulfilling the order. Stutzman had been approached by one of her faithful customers, Robert Ingersoll, a homosexual, as he wanted her to supply the flowers for his upcoming ceremony with his partner, Curt. She states that she politely explained that she would not be able to help in regard to the event.
“I just took his hands and said, ‘I’m sorry. I cannot do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ,’” Stutzman told reporters.
After Ingersoll decided to post on Facebook about the matter, controversy arose on both sides of the issue—both for and against Stutzman. The florist said that she received a number of threatening and angry comments.
“It blew way out of proportion,” Stutzman explained. “I’ve had hate mail. I’ve had people that want to burn my building. I’ve had people that will never shop here again and [vow to] tell all their friends.”
Weeks later, Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued Stutzman a letter advising that she must accommodate homosexual ceremonies or be subject to a lawsuit and heavy fines. He included with his letter a form that offered Stutzman the opportunity to recant and agree to comply with the law. She refused, and was subsequently met with a discrimination suit.
But Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian legal organization based in Scottsdale, Arizona, says that Ferguson’s actions were inappropriate since he never received a complaint, but rather filed on his own volition. It filed a motion on Friday to have the case thrown out.
“This Court should reject the Attorney General’s illegitimate claim of authority to bring this action,” the motion states. “Accordingly, this Court should dismiss the Complaint filed by the State of Washington for lack of primary jurisdiction, failure to exhaust administrative remedies as required by law, and lack of standing.”
“The Attorney General’s action here, on behalf of the State of Washington, is based on an unprecedented interpretation of the Washington Law Against Discrimination…and the Consumer Protection Act,” it asserts. “The State’s action goes against the statutes’ specific terms and more than thirty years of prior agency practice by successive Attorneys General.”
ADF has also filed a motion asking that Ferguson and the ACLU—which filed a separate suit—be prohibited from attacking Stutzman on a personal level.
“Washington law does not allow someone to attack a business officer personally rather than just sue the business ‘absent such exceptional circumstances as when the officer knowingly engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, or theft,’” it explains.
“In America, the government is supposed to protect freedom, not use intolerance for certain viewpoints to intimidate citizens into acting contrary to their faith,” Senior Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt wrote in a statement announcing the motion. “The attorney general has acted inappropriately by trying to intimidate Barronelle through his lawsuit rather than leaving the process where the law says such matters need to take place.”
“Plenty of other florists are willing to provide flowers for same-sex ceremonies, yet both lawsuits against Barronelle insist on going after not only her business, but going after her personally as well,” he continued. “That’s extraordinary, and we’re asking the court to put a stop to it.”
Atheists Purchase Billboard Space in Times Square to Counter Ad From Biblical Creation Group
NEW YORK CITY – A prominent atheist activist group has purchased billboard space in Times Square to counter an advertisement from a nationally-recognized Biblical Creation organization.As previously reported, Ken Ham’s Answers in Genesis launched a billboard campaign last week in prominent locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, including in the heavily-trafficked Times Square.
“To all of our atheist friends,” the billboard reads, “thank God you’re wrong.” It then directs the public to the ministry’s website where they may read articles and view a video that outlines facts pointing to the existence of God.
Ham told CNN that he came up with the idea after seeing an atheist billboard in Times Square last December.
“The Bible says to contend for the faith,” he stated. “We thought we should come up with something that would make a statement in the culture, a bold statement, and direct them to our website.”
Ham stated that he is not out to attack atheists, but rather to present the truth.
“From an atheist’s perspective, they believe when they die, they cease to exist,” he explained. “And we say ‘no, you’re not going to cease to exist; you’re going to spend eternity with God or without God. And if you’re an atheist, you’re going to be spending it without God.’ ”
Now, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has purchased ad space on the exact same billboard in Times Square as a “lighthearted message” to counter Answers in Genesis.
“OMG! There is no god!” it reads, quoting from actress and comedian Julia Sweeney. One of the cubes of the billboard also features a smiling headshot of the atheist comic.
“A fifth of the U.S. population identifies as nonbelievers. We don’t thank a nonexistent god, we put faith in each other and human ingenuity,” FFRF co-founder Annie Laurie Gaylor said in a news release. “We believe in deeds, not creeds. We believe the only afterlife that ought to concern us is leaving our descendants a secure and pleasant future.”
Ham discussed the billboard on Facebook this weekend, stating that he believes FFRF is right.
“Wow! The atheists got it right! They have now put up a billboard in Times Square, New York, rotating on the same digital board our billboard is on. But I’m amazed—what they said on the billboard is correct!” he wrote. ”Glad to see them admit this, for they are right in one thing: there is no little ‘g’ god—there is only one God—the true God!”
Ham also stated that the AiG effort has been successful in that it is driving traffic to the ministry website and has encouraged discussion about God.
“Yes, this campaign is working!” he exclaimed.
‘Thank God You’re Wrong’: Biblical Creation Group Launches Billboard Campaign to Reach Atheists
PETERSBURG, Ky. – A nationally-recognized Biblical Creation and apologist organization has launched a national billboard campaign in an effort to reach atheists for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ken Ham’s Answers in Genesis launched the campaign this week in prominent locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, including in the heavily-trafficked Times Square.
“To all of our atheist friends,” the billboard reads, “thank God you’re wrong.” It then directs the public to the ministry’s website where they may read articles and view a video that outlines facts pointing to the existence of God.
Ham told CNN that he came up with the idea after seeing an atheist billboard in Times Square last December.
“The Bible says to contend for the faith,” he stated. “We thought we should come up with something that would make a statement in the culture, a bold statement, and direct them to our website.”
Ham stated that he is not out to attack atheists, but rather to present the truth.
“From an atheist’s perspective, they believe when they die, they cease to exist,” he explained. “And we say ‘no, you’re not going to cease to exist; you’re going to spend eternity with God or without God. And if you’re an atheist, you’re going to be spending it without God.’ ”
“Scripture makes it clear that God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in the creation of the world around us,” the Answers in Genesis website states on a page crafted as part of the billboard project. “God is saying that the design and complexity of nature makes it obvious that He exists. But hard hearts often refuse to accept any evidence that the Bible is true, for it makes them accountable to a Creator God.”
The billboard in Times Square will flash every two minutes for approximately 15 seconds. In Los Angeles and San Francisco, the billboard will be regular print advertisements. Three billboards were purchased in San Francisco and approximately half a dozen in Los Angeles. One is already being displayed at Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the most popular attractions in the state, and a second is posted at the east entrance of the Bay Bridge.
Answers in Genesis says that it estimates approximately 17 million people will see the boards, and Ham said that traffic to the website has already picked up considerably.
“More than ever, people are asking us to prove that there is a God. I tell them our faith is not a blind faith but a reasonable one. Furthermore, Romans 1:20 says that the creation of the world by God is so clearly seen that none of us has any excuse for rejecting God,” Ham stated. “At the same time, AiG understands that atheists like Richard Dawkins look at the same evidence and interpret it differently in light of their humanistic worldview. But theirs is not a reasonable faith.”
Therefore, Answers in Genesis hopes to help illuminate hearts and minds with the truth through its national campaign.
The ministry also operates the Creation Museum in Kentucky, which has drawn two million visitors in six years.
Lesbians Sue Landlord for Refusing to Recognize ‘Marriage’ on Lease
NEW YORK – Two lesbians who live in an apartment in New York City have filed a lawsuit against their landlord for refusing to recognize their relationship as a marriage.Dava Weinstein, 68, and Doroty Calvani, 64, have lived together for 36 years. In 2011, the two traveled to Iowa to “wed,” just months before NewYork state legalized the practice.
Last year, as the lease for the apartment was up for renewal, Weinstein added Calvani on the form as a co-tenant. She told reporters that she did so to secure Calvani’s rights to the apartment in the event that Weinstein died during the lease period.
However, landlord Jacob Weinreib refused to recognize Calvani on the lease.
“New York State does not recognize Dorothy as Dava’s spouse,” he wrote to the women in a letter.
As Weinreib would not budge about the matter, Weinstein signed the lease without Calvani. However, the two then contacted Lambda Legal, an organization that works in the courts on behalf of homosexuals, which then filed suit.
“I’ve lived in this apartment for nearly forty years, and built a home here with my spouse for the last 36 years,” Weinstein commented in a statement. “If something were to happen to me, Dorothy should not have to worry about whether the landlord will try to evict her because she’s not on the lease. That is one of the protections married people are supposed to have. Our landlord is standing in the way of us taking steps to protect our family, something that is of particular importance to us as we get older.”
Lambda had filed a similar suit last year against DSA Management and building owner, Nicholas Place, LLC after a landlord declined to recognize two lesbians on the lease for their Harlem apartment. Two months later, the landlord changed his mind and agreed to allow both women to be named in the lease.
As previously reported, prior to the June Supreme Court ruling that struck down key components of DOMA, a number of Christian organizations warned that the homosexual agenda would take a toll on businesses nationwide.
“If you’re a Christian, and you thought the HHS mandate was bad with being forced to pay for abortifacients,” Peter LaBarbera told Christian News Network, “what happens when you’re a businessman and you’re forced to subsidize homosexual ‘marriage,’ but you agree with God that homosexuality is an abomination?”
Florists, bakers, bed and breakfast owners and funeral directors have all been the target of complaints and lawsuits over the past year for their refusal to accommodate homosexual practices.
“I hope the states as units will rise up and say, ‘I’m sorry. We refuse to recognize that. You want to send the reserves in? Bring them on. But we’re not just going to give up without a fight,’” attorney Steve Crampton of Liberty Counsel remarked. “I think there is a very real element of, ‘We’ve had enough. This far and no further.’”
Air Force Veteran Punished For Not Supporting Gay Marriage
August 29, 2013 By 5 Comments
Lackland Air Force Base, where Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk formerly worked.
A Christian Air Force Veteran was removed from his position at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas after refusing to support homosexual marriage. Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk was asked by his commanding officer to affirm gay marriage and alleges he was subsequently punished for failing to do so. The conflict erupted after the openly-gay officer wanted to punish an Air Force chaplain for disagreeing with homosexuality.
According to reports:
“I was relieved of my position because I don’t agree with my commander’s position on gay marriage,” Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk told Fox News. “We’ve been told that if you publicly say that homosexuality is wrong, you are in violation of Air Force policy.”The commanding officer that she wanted to “lop the head off of the chaplain” for his beliefs. Monk, who was advising the officer on appropriate discipline, refused to express his own personal beliefs on gay marriage when pressed by the commanding officer. He was then told if he was not “on the same page” with his commanding officer on the issue of homosexuality, he would have to find another place to work. Monk opted to go on leave of absence, which his commanding officer granted.
“In one of our first meetings, she was talking about her promotion and she mentioned something about a benediction,” Monk told Fox News. “She said she wanted a chaplain but objected to one particular chaplain that she called a bigot because he preached that homosexuality is a sin.”
“She then said, ‘I don’t know what kind of people actually believe that kind of crap,’” Monk said, recalling the meeting. “I knew I was going to have a rough time in this unit and I would have to be very careful what I said.”
That moment came when Monk was called in to advise the commander on a disciplinary matter involving an Air Force instructor accused of making comments objecting to gay marriage.
The instructor was investigated and the members of his trainees were asked if the instructor had slandered homosexuals and whether he created a hostile work environment.
Monk said he quickly determined the instructor meant no harm by his public comments – comparing the United States with the fall of the Roman Empire.
“He said in spite of our differences, we can’t let that happen to the United States,” Monk said. “He then used homosexual marriage as an example – saying that he didn’t believe in it – but it doesn’t matter because he was going to train them the same way.” (source).
Jesus Christ affirmed that marriage by Biblical definition is between a man and a woman:
And [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Matthew 19:4-6.More and more the Biblical view on marriage is being silenced. In this instance, it was not about a vote on gay marriage or a political stance. Merely expressing the Bible’s view was a punishable offense, even for a chaplain. And in Monk’s case, he did not even give an opinion on gay marriage, but was punished for his silence. This is yet another example of the growing hostility to the God of the Bible and the Bible itself. The Liberty Institute, a legal advocacy group is representing Sgt. Monk in the event there are further disciplinary proceedings against him.
“Are we going to have a ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy for Christians so we don’t get harassed for our beliefs?” attorney Hiram Sasser asked Fox News. “Here’s a guy who wants to have his religious liberty and serve in the military. He shouldn’t have to believe in gay marriage in order to serve.”Pray for Sgt. Monk and the other soldiers who are being forced to hide their views and beliefs. And for all believers to stand for God’s Word in the face of persecution. While the times are growing harsher for Bible-believing Christians, it is nothing that the love and forgiveness found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot change.
A spokesperson for Lackland Air Force Base public affairs told Fox News Monk was not punished and that he was simply at the end of his assignment.
“They did have a disagreement, but supposedly, they agreed to disagree,” the spokesperson told Fox News. “But the wing commander said there was no punishment. (source).
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Matthew 5:11-12.A news report on the case is below:
God Hasn’t Changed His Laws to Suit Men: B&B Owners Defend Denial of Room to Homosexuals
In an interview this week on British television, a Christian couple defended their decision to deny a room to two homosexual men—even though it ended up costing them their livelihood.As previously reported, Peter and Hazelmary Bull of Cornwall, England are selling their business, which also served as their home, after legal costs and harassment from homosexual advocates drove them to close their doors.
The situation at issue occurred in 2008, when Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy reserved a double room, but was turned away by the manager when he discovered they were homosexuals. Chymorvah Hotel does not allow unmarried couples–homosexual or heterosexual–to share a room.
“Please note that as Christians we have a deep regard for marriage (being the union of one man to one woman for life to the exclusion of all others),” the business website states. “Therefore, although we extend to all a warm welcome to our home, our double bedded accommodation is not available to unmarried couples.”
However, after Hall and Preddy were turned away, the Bulls found themselves having to face a legal battle in court. They were ordered by the Bristol County Court to pay restitution to the men in the amount of $2,900 each, and also racked up a considerable bill in legal fees.
The Bulls state that they have also been the targets of vandalism and even death threats since the incident went public. They told reporters that a dead rabbit was once nailed to their fence, the bolts were removed out of the wheels of their car, and they were infected with pornography on their computer.
In addition to the harassment they have experienced, the Bulls state that financial woes have forced them to close their doors and sell the property as business has slowed down significantly due to opposition.
This week, the Bulls appeared on ITV Daybreak, where they explained their Christian convictions and their beliefs that God should not be shut out of the way His people operate their businesses.
“As a Christian, surely the God you worship is a loving God, is a tolerant God. And if people are in a civil partnership, they are obviously in love, so what is wrong with them sharing a bed?” host Aled Jones asked.
“I think it’s a myth to believe that entirely,” Hazelmary Bull replied. “He is a loving God, that’s true. He’s a forgiving God, but there is…”
“And a tolerant one?” Jones interrupted.
“He is a longsuffering God; He’s not entirely tolerant because the Bible is full of cases when He does finally bring judgment about,” she replied. “We felt that we wanted to, as far as possible, live according to His instructions, and the Bible is very clear about marriage.”
“It’s 2013,” co-host Lorraine Kelly noted. “It’s 2013.”
“God hasn’t changed; Jesus says He’s the same yesterday, today and forever,” Bull replied. “He hasn’t changed, the Bible hasn’t changed, and we are wrong—we are living in a dream—if we think that He has changed His laws to suit us, because that’s not the case at all.”
Later, when Bull explained that the way they run their business is not exempt from the Lordship of Christ, Kelly emphasized that the Bull’s were only referring to their God and not the god that others envision.
“God demands that our faith doesn’t end at the kitchen door. He means for your faith to run in every corner of your life,” Bull replied. “You can’t just section Him off like that. So one would think that dealing with Christians, we would be fair and honest and upright and honorable and live according to the Bible, because the Bible is the Christian’s textbook.”
The Bull’s have appealed their case to the UK Supreme Court even though they have put their bed and breakfast up for sale.
Dean of Washington’s National Cathedral: It’s a Sin to Oppose Homosexuality
October 8, 2013 | Filed under: Apostasy,
WASHINGTON – The dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. claimed during his weekly address this past Sunday that it is a sin to oppose homosexuality.The message was part of a weekend tribute to the homosexual youth at the National Cathedral, and a commemoration of the death of Matthew Shepherd, whose slaying sparked the passage of the federal “hate crimes” bill signed into law by Barack Obama in 2009. During his speech, Gary Hall blamed churches across the country for influencing American beliefs about homosexuality.
“We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are. They are sin. Homophobia is a sin. Heterosexism is a sin. Shaming people for whom they love is a sin,” Hall asserted. “Only when all our churches say that clearly and boldly and courageously will our LGBT youth be free to grow up in a culture that totally embraces them fully as they are.”
He proceeded to claim that churches that oppose homosexuality produce a culture that is harmful to children.
Hall
In an interview with reporters following the message, Hall said that he believes that “sexual orientation is a gift, and the religious question should be about how they responsibly use that gift.”
However, Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality says that Hall’s comments are indicative of a nation that is exemplifying Isaiah 5:20, which rebukes those who state that evil is good, and that good is evil.
LaBarbera
He noted that many such as Hall do not seek to defend other sexual behaviors that they know are sinful, but single out homosexuality as being somehow exempt from God’s law.
“They are not calling porn addiction a ‘gift from God,’ or preaching against ‘adultery-phobia.’ Once again, it’s only homosexuality—one of the best marketed sins in the history of the world—that is gaining favor in the corrupt Church,” La Barbera lamented. “Genuine Christians need to stand against this heresy and champion the real work of Christ in our culture, such as the many men and women who have left homosexuality behind as born-again believers.”
As previously reported, the National Cathedral pealed its bells this past June for nearly an hour in celebration of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Hall also publicly participated in Washington’s homosexual pride march in 2010.