Baker in 'gay marriage' cake row

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Baker in 'gay marriage' cake row

A Christian bakery owner who refused to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage says he has been threatened with legal action unless he pays compensation.

Family-run Ashers Baking Company in Northern Ireland earlier this year declined the order for a cake with the image of Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie below the motto Support Gay Marriage.

In the wake of its refusal to provide the service, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, a state-funded watchdog body set up to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws, took on the case on behalf of the customer, a gay rights activist.

General manager of the bakers Daniel McArthur said he had now received a letter from the commission claiming his stance breached legislation.

He said the letter told the company if it did not offer compensation within seven days it would face litigation.

Mr McArthur said his family would not be forced to promote a cause that goes against their conscientious view that marriage is between a man and a woman.

"We feel that the Equality Commission are pursuing us because of our beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman," he said.

"It feels like a David and Goliath battle because on one hand we have the Equality Commission who are a public body, they're funded by taxpayers' money, they have massive resources at their disposal whereas we are a small family business and we have limited resources at our disposal.

"We're continuing to hold to the stand that we took originally because we believe it's biblical, we believe it's what God would want us to do, and we also think that if we do cave in to the Equality Commission at this point it'll put pressure on other citizens who are defending their view of traditional marriage.

"We don't want to be forced to promote a cause which is against our biblical beliefs. We've had a lot of support from people who disagree with our stance on same-sex marriage. They think that we should have the freedom to decline an order that conflicts with our conscience."

Gay marriage is a highly divisive issue in Northern Ireland and while the bakery's decision was been backed by Christian advocacy groups it faced criticism from gay rights organisations arguing that discrimination in delivering services was illegal.

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[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

More excuses to be bigots. Bake the cakes and serve the people. Your religious preference has nothing to do with it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It would be easier. I don't get why they feel the need to confuse their personal beliefs with running their business. You'd think it would be a no brainer.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

It would be easier. I don't get why they feel the need to confuse their personal beliefs with running their business. You'd think it would be a no brainer.

It makes it easier to be bigoted/ignorant/violent when you hide behind religion.

[Torete 121]

No shoes, no shirt, no service. Do they have that option? Does it include sexual preference?

Is it illegal/against the law to discriminate against sexual preference in Ireland. Just asking.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is clearly illegal since a lawsuit is being filed.

[Torete 121]

It is clearly illegal since a lawsuit is being filed.

Lawsuits can be filed for ANYTHING whether legal or illegal...at least in the US. Not so sure about Ireland which is why I was curious.

I didn't see/read this part the first go-around:

In the wake of its refusal to provide the service, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, a state-funded watchdog body set up to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws, took on the case on behalf of the customer, a gay rights activist.

I guess it is illegal/against the law.

Now I know.

[landr 126]

Anti-discrimination laws in Ireland:

http://www.equalityni.org/Footer-Links/Legislation

I wonder if an [insert ethnicity here] bakery owner would also be vulnerable to litigation under this legislation if they refused to provide a cake for an individual or organisation who demonstrates that they are anti-[insert ethnicity here]. Particularly if a racial slur was requested on the cake.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Lawsuits can be filed for ANYTHING whether legal or illegal...at least in the US.

That's in the US. Frivolous lawsuits are a waste of time and money in the rest of the world.

[Torete 121]

That's in the US. Frivolous lawsuits are a waste of time and money in the rest of the world.

Right...the US.

[Torete 121]

Anti-discrimination laws in Ireland:

http://www.equalityni.org/Footer-Links/Legislation

I wonder if an [insert ethnicity here] bakery owner would also be vulnerable to litigation under this legislation if they refused to provide a cake for an individual or organisation who demonstrates that they are anti-[insert ethnicity here]. Particularly if a racial slur was requested on the cake.

I'd wonder also.

As an aside, I wonder if it'd be against the law if a bakery refused to bake a cake with a swastika on it...if it offended those of the Jewish faith. I don't think you can bake/display baked goods such as that...in Germany.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Let me start by saying I think it's ridiculous the bakery refused to make the cake.

That being said, the bakery or any other company has the right to not perform services that go against their beliefs if they chose not to. The bakery did not refuse to bake these people a cake because they are gay, the bakery refused to bake a cake with a gay slogan. I don't believe this is discrimination, but rather a personal choice not to perform a certain service. Is it a bigoted choice? Yes, but their choice to make nonetheless. It would be no different than someone wanting them to make a cake in the shape of the devil with the words "Worship Satan" on it. They can refuse to do that as well.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Teddy B

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The problem is with that is that personal beliefs have nothing to do with buying a cake and the gay customer has no reason to suppose that they will be treated differently from the bakery's other customers.

I don't think they have a right to single people out for different treatment because they happen to be gay. That's just not right.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

How about Muslim staff working in stores, refuse to serve customers who want to pay for alcohol or pork?

Perhaps they should go work elsewhere too, maybe in Halal establishments.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

How about what about it? Its exactly the same.