An American Christian dating website, allowing only heterosexual individuals to search for potential relationships, has been sued after a same-sex couple claimed that they were discriminated against.
Large fine and website open to all
ChristianMingle.com, owned by Spark Network Inc., has agreed to pay $450,000 and change its website to accommodate users looking for same-sex relationships, despite not accepting that the organisation had done anything wrong.
The complaint arose because the website asked users to define themselves either as ‘a man seeking a woman’, or vice versa.
Violates California's anti-discrimination laws
A male same-sex couple who tried to use the site in 2013 claimed that the limited options violated California’s anti-discrimination laws, which requires businesses to offer full accommodations regardless of a person’s sexual orientation.
"Like all other companies, we must abide by the laws that govern our state and nation," said Michael Egan, Spark Networks CEO.
Infringement of religious liberty
However, one of Spark Network’s advisors, Pastor Clayton Coates, has stepped down following the settlement decision, as it does not fit with his biblical understanding of marriage.
Advocates for traditional marriage consider the outcome an infringement on religious liberty and yet another example of pressure on those opposed to same-sex 'marriage'.
'Against conscience and ethos'
Commenting on the result, Chief Executive of Christian Concern Andrea Williams told Premier:
"This is capitulation to the new prevailing political orthodoxy.
"What the state is seeking to do here is to impose something that runs completely against the conscience and ethos of that Christian dating agency."
"We're already seeing this happen here in the United Kingdom, perhaps not with regard to the dating agency, but people that believe in marriage between a man and woman, people that believe children need a mother and father, find themselves in trouble with the law."
'Promoting purity'
Andrea continued by reminding us that following Christ means total obedience to Him in every aspect of our lives, including our sexuality.
"Our identity is in Jesus Christ. And when our identity is found in Jesus, what we want to do is to follow Him, we want to be obedient to Him… sexual sin means all sex outside of a married relationship between one man and one woman – that is the only context in which God permits us to have sexual expression, and that is for our good."
She added: "That’s actually the most progressive thing to be saying to our society right now, to be promoting purity."
Related Links:
Listen to Andrea Williams discusses a Christian website sued for accommodating only heterosexual dating
Christian dating site sued for excluding gay people (Premier)