A hot topic of late has been laws passed in various states supposedly allowing the discrimination against homosexuals by religious business owners. To be truthful, I am not sure what the laws actually state - my current knowledge of this is admittedly flaws. I do not know how many states have them, how they compare to laws in place on a national level, or anything else of the sort. I've seen articles address the issue from both sides - stating that the law does allow it, does not allow it, and that it in now way changes the current or national law's stance. That's not the issue of my thoughts.
I'm mainly concerned with whether or not we should be passing laws that prohibit people from refusing to service to another person based on sexual preference. Subsequently, I will ponder whether or not one should refuse service to somebody based on sexual preference.
First, I feel I should make clear my views on homosexuality. I am a Christian who follows, as far as I can tell, traditional, orthodox (with a lower-case o, not Eastern Orthodox) Christianity. My core beliefs are laid out in the Apostles Creed and there's not much more to it. I believe the Bible is the word of God. Therefore, do I believe that homosexuality is wrong? At the end of the day, yes, I do believe that it is sin. Not just because it is found in Leviticus, but because it is subsequently referenced in Romans and 1 Corinthians as sinful.
That being said, I also recognize the opposing, secular belief to be completely reasonable and I absolutely respect that. Quite frankly, if I wasn't a Christian I probably would not believe that homosexuality was wrong - I'd have no reason to. Of course I'd have no reason to believe anything was wrong, but that's another post.
Ultimately, while I think it is sin, I don't really care all that much about whether somebody is gay. We all have sin. If I was less loving toward a gay person that would directly go against what is outlined in the book of James about showing partiality. All are sinful and have fallen short of the Glory of God, as outlined in Romans, regardless of sexual preference. I try my hardest to love those people as much as I love anyone else.
Likewise, I think that objectively, the government should allow for gay marriages and civil unions. It is a private issue that the government should largely have no say in. If two folk want to get married, that's fine - with the caveat that no organization should be forced to marry them. I do not mind if two gay people go to the courthouse to get married. I don't mind if they find a church that will marry them. I have a huge problem, however, if the government forces churches (or mosques, or any other religious organization) to do things that go against their beliefs.
Which takes us back to Christian bakers being forced to do business with homosexual customers. The fundamental issue here isn't whether or not homosexuality is sinful, it is whether or not the government should be able to force somebody to do business with somebody else. I think the answer here is no. When we start to throw a bunch of exceptions in, things get sticky. Should people be able to refuse to service to African-Americans or Latinos? I don't think so. They shouldn't discriminate, but should they be legally prohibited from doing so? I lean towards yes, but again that really goes against my belief that the government shouldn't be forcing people to do business with anybody. Part of that is because if you are discriminating based on race, I can't think of a single legitimate reason for doing so - there are no creeds or religions that I can think of that are specifically anti-black.
When it comes to 'discriminating' against folk with sexual preference, I think we're getting the term wrong. A religious person who refuses service to gay person when that service has nothing to do with supporting homosexuality could fairly be called discriminatory. If a gay person refused to serve straight people, I would call that discrimination. Likewise, the opposite is true.
However, there is a big difference between the previous situations and a person not wanting to cater a gay wedding. Or support a gay rally. I think it would be 100% reasonable for a gay baker to refuse to bake a cake for a 'pro-traditional marriage' rally, or even to refuse to bake a cake for wedding at a place like the Westboro Baptist Church. I would have no problem with this. Similarly, if a Muslim, or Christian, or Jew, or whatever happens to disagree with homosexuality, I think it is extremely reasonable for them to choose not to bake a cake for a gay wedding. The store owner loses significantly more freedom when he is forced to do business with somebody than the patron who can easily go find another shop.
Now, even more importantly is the question of whether we should refuse service. Laws may change outward actions but will never change hearts. As a Christian, should we be refusing service?
I think the Bible rings clearly with 'no.' I have an extremely hard time picturing the Jesus who comforted the Samaritan at the well, who championed the prostitutes and the tax collectors (who were the lowest of the low - traitors to their own people), who defended the poor and outcast, refusing to sell a shed he built (he was a carpenter after all) to anybody based on the sin in their life. He's Jesus! If he only sold his carpentry to people who were as good as He was, He would never sell it to anybody! In fact, the only group I could see Him refusing service to would be the Pharisees and Scribes - the people who used to religion to debase others.
I think if Christ had lived in our culture today, the following verse would have an addendum:
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’h 39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
It would also read "If a homosexual patron asks you to bake him a cake, bake him two instead." How else are we to show the overwhelming and exceeding love of Christ except by actually loving them? Will we ever draw homosexuals or their supporters into God's arms by refusing them service and showing them how righteous we are? I know some people will say it's about not tolerating sin, but I don't buy it - Jesus chose us when we were still sinners and there is no reason why we shouldn't be exchanging that same kindness to them.
These thoughts may change, but I don't think they will. God's love is what's most important here and as Christians we ought be taking the path that shows it most.
