Question about Jesus and Gays
There has been a lot of talk about the proposed law in Arizona regarding the ability of business owners to refuse service to gays. Interestingly, the actual language of the bill doesn’t mention homosexuality at all. Here is some of the pertinent text from the bill as reported in Wikipedia: “SB 1062 was intended to amend Section 41-1493 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which prevents “any law, including state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies” from “substantially burden[ing]” a person’s exercise of religion, unless the burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a “compelling government interest”. SB 1062 would have revised it by expanding the definition of person in the article from “a religious assembly or institution” to also include “any individual, association, partnership, corporation, church,” “estate, trust, foundation or other legal entity”, and would have allowed for religious-freedom as a claim or defense in lawsuits “regardless of whether the government is a party to the proceeding.”
I’ve given some thought to this idea and tried to put myself in the position of being a baker or a photographer asked to make a cake or take pictures for two men or two women who were getting married. What would I do? The better question is “what should I do?” I come from an understanding of the Bible where homosexuality is sinful. Obviously, if you don’t have that perspective then this question is sort of irrelevant. But, if life me, you think that homosexuality is sinful, I’m interested in how you think a baker or photographer should respond. I’m especially interested in this in light of the biblical examples of Daniel and Esther and how they handled “laws” that made their lives difficult. I’ll share what I think tomorrow. I’d like to hear what you think about this.
I would gladly serve anyone in a small business that I owned until they asked me to go against my morals. As a baker, caterer, wedding planner, minister of the gospel, or photographer I would not be able to have anything to do with a gay wedding. I could not indulge in the celebration of sin by using my time and talents to do something to help a gay couple get married. This is an unholy union and I feel like a gay wedding is equivalent to one shaking his or her fist at our Holy God, and doing it in a celebratory manor. I would have no part in that. It is equivalent to our government forcing a Christian healthcare provider to give an abortion against their moral standards.
Secondly, I thought we were in a free market system where a small business owner could choose if they wanted to do business with any one for any reason.
If I was a baker or photographer asked specifically to provide my services for a homosexual wedding or celebration I would kindly tell them that I wouldn’t do it because I believe what they are doing is a sin, and I don’t want to condone it by taking part in their event.
When Jesus spoke to the woman, who was living in sin by adultery, he lovingly told her what she was doing wrong and then said go and sin no more. He didn’t condone her actions and encourage her to continue living in sin.
I was a Disaster volunteer last week in New Jersey. I was the hands and feet of Jesus. I didn’t ask anything about the homeowner’s beliefs or lifestyle and it would not have made a difference to me if I knew what the homeowner’s beliefs or lifestyle, I was there to do the job I was committed to do. If my job is a baker and I sell my goods to the public, I would sell them to whomever comes to my store. I’ve heard it said love the sinner, hate the sin but I read Jesus said Love the sinner and take care of the log that is stuck in your own eye.
What better way to show love then to treat everyone the same regardless of their lifestyle.
If I am a baker or photographer, and see homosexuality as a sin, the two men or the two women are not forcing me to commit a homosexual act by baking a cake or taking their picture. Baking a cake is not a sin. Discriminating is.