GAY ‘RIGHTS’ v. FREEDOM

At our church we regularly discuss gay activism and its implications for our future, both as individual followers of Christ and as a local congregation.  The recent flap over legislation passed in Arizona to protect the conscience and religious rights of business owners and its subsequent veto by the governor seems to encapsulate much of the problem of gay activism in a nutshell--at least for Christians.  For the most part the media has misrepresented this case as an attempt to legalize discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation.  Is that really the case?

I have never seen a news report about a Christian flatly refusing to bake a cake for a birthday party or take pictures at a retirement party simply because the customer is gay.  No.  This is not about discrimination against homosexuals per se.  It's about preserving the legal freedom to decline to participate in activities we believe God has condemned.

The legislation came about as a response to recent lawsuits by gay activists who are targeting Christian business owners in the wedding industry.  Christian florists, bakers and photographers are being successfully sued for declining to provide services for celebrations of same-sex unions. This bill was written to expand current legislation protecting religious institutions to include protection for religious individuals.*

We have observed that, in general, people who personally have no moral problem with homosexual behavior tend to have difficulty understanding the problem these lawsuits pose for Christian business owners.  To them we reply, like the apostle Peter in the Book of Acts when dragged before the rulers and told to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, "Judge for yourself.  Whom should we obey, God or LGBT activists?"  If you’re looking for a bottom line that’s it.

Perhaps if we put the shoe on the other foot it would be more understandable;  Should the homosexual owner of a printing business be forced, against his will, to take a job printing flyers against same-sex marriage? If you say no, then you should be able to understand the difficult dilemma these lawsuits present for Christian business owners.

One is hard-pressed to make the case that LGBT people are actually injured in any way by the handful of people whose understanding of obedience to God compels them to decline these business opportunities.  The vast majority of wedding photographers, bakers and florists are more than happy to take their money.  This is not about lack of access to goods and services. It is clearly about something else.