Yes, you read that right.
The United States Supreme Court recently agreed to hear the case Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission next term.
If you haven’t heard of this case, here’s the run down: Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo. declined to make a cake for the 2012 wedding celebration of two gay men. Phillips told the men that he would happily make them a birthday cake, but he couldn’t make them a wedding cake because his religious beliefs dictate that a marriage is only between a man and a woman. The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado represented the two men and brought the lawsuit to court. It has now made its way to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Similar cases have popped up across the United States. Artists and business owners are asked to accommodate LGBTQ+ people by comprising their religious beliefs.
There is no doubt that the case will set a strong precedent for the freedom of religion in America. However, even non-religious people should hope that SCOTUS rules in favor of Phillips.
If SCOTUS rules that Phillips must create cakes for weddings that violate his religious beliefs, then both religious and non-religious artists across the nation will suffer.
Under that precedent, the government could compel a lesbian architect in Topeka, Kansas to design a new building for Westboro Baptist Church, a church infamous for its hatred of LGBTQ+ people. The government could compel a black fashion designer to create new uniforms for the Ku Klux Klan.
No one wants to live in a world where they are forced to compromise their spiritual beliefs. Thanks to the First Amendment, we don’t have to.
Sure, the two men in Colorado have an interest in obtaining custom art from businesses like Masterpiece Cakeshop. However, there is no shortage of cake artists in the Denver suburbs that would be willing to help celebrate the same-sex marriage. The inconvenience caused to the same-sex couple cannot override the freedom of Phillips and artists across the nation to follow their religious beliefs.
Same-sex couples raise another question of how to avoid the frustration and embarrassment they may feel when an artist declines their request. However, someone’s offense at another’s exercise of their artistic and religious freedom is not a reason to suppress that freedom. SCOTUS has continually upheld the precedent that the First Amendment exists to shield artistic, expressive and religious choices that are hurtful in someone else’s eyes.
Regardless of your beliefs concerning homosexuality, you should hope that SCOTUS rules in favor of Phillips to protect the rights of artists nationwide.
Questions? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!
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Puns, Politics and PR is a blog used by 21-year-old Tori to express her thoughts on issues concerning politics, communications, faith and life.
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