[Mr_250]

First off, I'm very liberal when it comes to social issues. Live and let live is what I say. I honesty could care less, but I have a question. What if it was the other way around?

For example, a company is owned by a gay couple (or Muslim, Jewish, Asian, etc) and a straight (or other ethnic) couple came to them and asked for _______(fill in service). The owners respectfully declined but not being able to go against there beliefs they could not service them. However, they offer a list of people who can help. Would it get as much attention and again I don't even know if that scenario exist.

Not knowing too much about it I was just curious. Does the law (or lack of) protect both sides?

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Mr_250

First off, I'm very liberal when it comes to social issues. Live and let live is what I say. I honesty could care less, but I have a question. What if it was the other way around?

For example, a company is owned by a gay couple (or Muslim, Jewish, Asian, etc) and a straight (or other ethnic) couple came to them and asked for _______(fill in service). The owners respectfully declined but not being able to go against there beliefs they could not service them. However, they offer a list of people who can help. Would it get as much attention and again I don't even know if that scenario exist.

Not knowing too much about it I was just curious. Does the law (or lack of) protect both sides?

I'm going to guess that this scenario has never occurred.

If you bake wedding cakes in a bakery accessible to the public, regardless of your own background and beliefs, you have to make wedding cakes for anyone who comes in the door. If you don't make wedding cakes, you don't have to make them for anyone.

If you have a public restroom, you can't restrict it's use based on the background or beliefs of people using it. If you have a lunch counter, anyone can sit there. Anyone can sit in on any seat of the bus.

I don't know of any religion that prescribes who you can make a cake for, or who can sit at a lunch counter....

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I'm going to guess that this scenario has never occurred.

If you bake wedding cakes in a bakery accessible to the public, regardless of your own background and beliefs, you have to make wedding cakes for anyone who comes in the door. If you don't make wedding cakes, you don't have to make them for anyone.

If you have a public restroom, you can't restrict it's use based on the background or beliefs of people using it. If you have a lunch counter, anyone can sit there. Anyone can sit in on any seat of the bus.

I don't know of any religion that prescribes who you can make a cake for, or who can sit at a lunch counter....

You don't have to serve everyone. If someone comes in and acts like an a-hole, you have every right to refuse service. You just can't refuse service solely based on a protected class designation like race.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

You don't have to serve everyone. If someone comes in and acts like an a-hole, you have every right to refuse service. You just can't refuse service solely based on a protected class designation like race.

Yes-- you're right. My point is you can't deny service based on race, religion, (and in some places) sexulaity/gender, no matter what your religion says.

[MiaMia411]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Yes-- you're right. My point is you can't deny service based on race, religion, (and in some places) sexulaity/gender, no matter what your religion says.

And that is why religion needs to be kept in places of worship.

[Tilt11]

Originally Posted by MiaMia411

And that is why religion needs to be kept in places of worship.

Why? Religious freedom for those that live by their faith on days other than just Sunday have freedoms too in our country. What they hold dear to them and their faith and beliefs are and should be protected more than what they have been recently. Tolerance is a two way street, though that seems to have been thrown out the window lately.

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by Tilt11

Why? Religious freedom for those that live by their faith on days other than just Sunday have freedoms too in our country. What they hold dear to them and their faith and beliefs are and should be protected more than what they have been recently. Tolerance is a two way street, though that seems to have been thrown out the window lately.

Yes, but religion is not carte blanche to do what you please. You can't engage in illegal activity under the guise of religion.

[FutureTown]

No religion advises illegal activity, anyways. I can't think of an example. Usually the "Golden Rule" inhibits it.

And whether we like it or not, our "secular" laws were highly inspired by the Abrahamic religions.

[MiaMia411]

Originally Posted by Tilt11

Why? Religious freedom for those that live by their faith on days other than just Sunday have freedoms too in our country. What they hold dear to them and their faith and beliefs are and should be protected more than what they have been recently. Tolerance is a two way street, though that seems to have been thrown out the window lately.

And people do, nobody is going to jail because you are practicing your beliefs.

When it comes to doing business in a country that has freedoms and such diversity thats where things get sticky. Sorry, but when you refuse business to someone due to race or religious reasons that is straight up discrimination. Also being a business owner in the food industry previously, i personally had no problem serving ANYONE.

[mels]

Originally Posted by Tilt11

Why? Religious freedom for those that live by their faith on days other than just Sunday have freedoms too in our country. What they hold dear to them and their faith and beliefs are and should be protected more than what they have been recently. Tolerance is a two way street, though that seems to have been thrown out the window lately.

You can practice your religion, whether you are a Christian Fundamentalist or Wiccan, as you see fit...UNTIL you start infringing on the rights of others.