The Colorado Supreme Court has on Monday declined to review a ruling against a Christian baker who refused to bake a cake celebrating a same-sex wedding.
Jack Phillips, of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, was found guilty of discrimination after he declined to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding in 2012, but he believes that he should not be forced to communicate messages with which he disagrees.
Last August, the Supreme appeals court upheld the original ruling in May 2014 that Mr Phillips had to make cakes for same-sex couples. He was also forced to engage in "re-educating his staff", and to file reports for two years to show that he is abiding by anti-discrimination laws.
Mr Phillips' case raises important questions about religious freedom and conscience.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is supporting Mr Phillips, is now considering legal options moving forward.
Contrary to biblical teaching
Jack Phillips was approached in 2012 by same sex couple Charlie Craig and David Mullins, who asked him to bake a wedding cake for them.
When Mr Phillips refused, the two men then complained to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. They are now being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
In a past press statement, the ADF said:
"In an exchange lasting about 30 seconds, Phillips politely declined, explaining that he would gladly make them any other type of baked item they wanted but that he could not make a cake promoting a same-sex ceremony because of his faith."
Mr Phillips and his lawyers have stated that he would also not bake cakes with "offensive written messages and cakes celebrating events or ideas that violate his beliefs, including cakes celebrating Halloween, anti-American or anti-family themes, atheism, racism, or indecency."
The ADF has argued that Mr Phillip's decision not to bake cakes "celebrating any marriage that is contrary to biblical teaching" is in line with this policy.
'Government's duty is to protect freedom to follow beliefs'
Jeremy Tedesco of ADF said in a statement:
"We asked the Colorado Supreme Court to take this case to ensure that the government understands that its duty is to protect the people’s freedom to follow their beliefs personally and professionally, not force them to violate those beliefs at the price of earning a living.
"Jack, who has happily served people of all backgrounds for years, simply exercised the long-cherished American freedom to decline to use his artistic talents to promote a message and event with which he disagrees, and that freedom shouldn't be placed in jeopardy for anyone. We are evaluating all legal options to preserve this freedom for Jack."
A crowdfunding page has been set up support Mr Phillips and help protect freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Ashers Baking Company
The case in Colorado parallels that of Ashers Baking Company in Northern Ireland, whose owners declined to bake a cake with a message that promoted same-sex 'marriage'.
The cake had been ordered by LGBT activist Gareth Lee, who asked for the cake to feature the logo of Queerspace, where he volunteered.
Throughout the ordeal Daniel and Amy McArthur have spoken openly of their faith.
Last May, a judge ruled that the McArthur family discriminated against the couple on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The McArthurs are appealing the decision.
Before a hearing in February 2016, Daniel explained that the couple's refusal to bake the cake was motivated by love for God.
"It was clear we did not hate anyone. We didn't want to discriminate against anyone. We did what we did because of our Christian beliefs. It's done out of love for God, to obey Him," he said.
An appeal hearing is to take place beginning 9 May, after the original appeal was adjourned due to concerns about potential conflict between the region's legislation on sexual orientation and European human rights laws.
Related Links:
Ashers bakery owners: Decision made out of 'love for God'
Support Jack Phillips (Continue to Give)
Baker’s Fight After the Gov’t Punished Him For Refusing to Make a Gay Wedding Cake Just Took Another Turn (The Blaze)