![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Let Them Eat Cake
Dec. 5th, 2017 12:41 pmToday, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments about a cake. Why would a conflict over a cake make it to the SCOTUS? Because their decision will have massive ramifications nation-wide.
In 2012, a bakery owner in Colorado refused to make a wedding cake for a couple planning their wedding. Why? Because the couple in question are gay and the bakery owner pointed to his conservative Christian beliefs. To the bakery owner, this was a matter of religious rights. But to the couple, it was a matter of discrimination.
Now, obviously, I’m sure you know what side I’m on. But regardless of how you personally may feel about same-gender marriage, I want us all to think about what is at stake here. Should a public business be legally allowed to refuse service to a member or members of the public based on religious objection? Let’s think about the slippery slope that creates and how far it can go.
- Want to buy school supplies? NOPE! My White Power church refuses to cater to people like you.
- Want to order ice cream? NOPE! My church looks down upon you people.
- Want to be treated in this emergency room because you just fell off a ladder and ended up with a compound fracture? NO! I shouldn’t have to touch people like you because “the book” says XYZ.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. I’m all for freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Truly. But when someone argues that their religious rights are greater and more important than my rights as an American citizen, I draw the line – and so should all of you.
I sincerely hope that SCOTUS has agreed to hear this case only to firmly and solidly protect the rights of American individuals over the tyranny of religion.
If not, we all will be forced to bow before the idols of religiosity over basic rights as an American.
Is that what you want for this nation?
In 2012, a bakery owner in Colorado refused to make a wedding cake for a couple planning their wedding. Why? Because the couple in question are gay and the bakery owner pointed to his conservative Christian beliefs. To the bakery owner, this was a matter of religious rights. But to the couple, it was a matter of discrimination.
Now, obviously, I’m sure you know what side I’m on. But regardless of how you personally may feel about same-gender marriage, I want us all to think about what is at stake here. Should a public business be legally allowed to refuse service to a member or members of the public based on religious objection? Let’s think about the slippery slope that creates and how far it can go.
- Want to buy school supplies? NOPE! My White Power church refuses to cater to people like you.
- Want to order ice cream? NOPE! My church looks down upon you people.
- Want to be treated in this emergency room because you just fell off a ladder and ended up with a compound fracture? NO! I shouldn’t have to touch people like you because “the book” says XYZ.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. I’m all for freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Truly. But when someone argues that their religious rights are greater and more important than my rights as an American citizen, I draw the line – and so should all of you.
I sincerely hope that SCOTUS has agreed to hear this case only to firmly and solidly protect the rights of American individuals over the tyranny of religion.
If not, we all will be forced to bow before the idols of religiosity over basic rights as an American.
Is that what you want for this nation?
