5 Things You Should Know about the Colorado Christian Baker Supreme Court Case

5 Things You Should Know about the Colorado Christian Baker Supreme Court Case
A very important Supreme Court case is coming up next month. It involves the issue of gay marriage, but also religious freedom. It is sure to be a controversial case, and also a case that has the potential to set a precedent for generations to come. Here is what you should know about Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

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  • 1. Who is involved in the case?

    1. Who is involved in the case?

    The two parties in the case are Jack Phillips, the owner of Lakewood, Colorado-based Masterpiece Cakeshop and a gay couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins. Phillips is a small business owner of a speciality cakeshop who identifies as a Christian; Craig and Mullins are Colorado natives who got married in Massachusetts before gay marriage was legal on a national level, but came back to Colorado to celebrate their wedding.

     

    Photo courtesy: Religion News Service

  • 2. What is the case about?

    2. What is the case about?

    The controversy began when Craig and Mullins asked Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop to make their wedding cake. Phillips said he had to decline due to his deeply-held religious beliefs. Craig and Mullins then filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, alleging that the Phillips had violated the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act. Craig and Mullins won the case and Phillips and his business were ordered to change their policy regarding serving same-sex weddings, as well as take step to include diversity training.

     

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  • 3. Why is it so controversial?

    3. Why is it so controversial?

    The Masterpiece case highlights a cultural divide between conservatives and liberals, but also on a more fundamental level, between those who say the case is about discrimination and those who say it is about religious freedom. The case not only represents a simple divide between two opposing forces, however. Phillips has said that he is not antagonistic toward gay people, and in fact would have no problem providing them with other services besides wedding cakes. Further highlighting this, some members of the gay community have come out in support of Phillips as well, recognizing that if they want tolerance extended to them, they should support the convictions of others too.

     

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  • 4. When will the Supreme Court hear the case?

    4. When will the Supreme Court hear the case?

    Phillips and his legal team appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which agreed to hear Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission in its fall term. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for December 5, 2017.

     

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  • 5. Why should Christians care?

    5. Why should Christians care?

    This is not an isolated case. This case will likely set a precedent for similar religious freedom cases. Many Christians who own small businesses that offer food items, photography, videography, and stationery services, or even those who own a wedding venue have already faced similar controversy, and in many cases, legal ramifications, just like Mr. Phillips. And as was evidenced by the support Mr. Phillips has garnered even from some in the gay community, religious freedom is for more than conservative Christians, but should be a right of all Americans.

     

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