Christian Bakery vs Queerspace
Discussion
From the BBC.....
[b] Christian-run bakery that refused a customer's request to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage rights could face legal action.
Ashers Baking Company declined an order from a gay rights activist, asking for cake featuring the Sesame Street puppets, Bert and Ernie.
The customer also wanted the cake to feature the logo of a Belfast-based campaign group called "Queerspace".
The County Antrim firm could face legal action from the Equality Commission.
The watchdog confirmed it is assisting the customer whose order was refused and has written to the baking company on his behalf.
Christian beliefs
The bakery, which was founded in Newtownabbey in 1992, is run by the McArthur family.
The directors, who are Christians, run six shops in Northern Ireland and employ 62 people.
The firm's 24-year-old general manager, Daniel McArthur, said the customer placed the order in their Belfast branch a number of weeks ago, and it was then passed to their head office.
The firm's general manager, Daniel McArthur, recorded a statement which the Christian Institute posted online
In an online statement, Mr McArthur said: "The directors and myself looked at it and considered it and thought that this order was at odds with our beliefs.
"It certainly was at odds with what the Bible teaches, and on the following Monday we rang the customer to let him know that we couldn't take his order."
'Discriminated'
Mr MrArthur added that his firm offered the customer a full refund, which was collected shortly after the order was refused.
"We thought that was the end of it, but approximately six weeks later we received a letter from the Equality Commission. The Equality Commission's letter said that we had discriminated against the customer on the grounds of his sexual orientation.
Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK which has not passed a law to introduce same-sex marriage
"It asked us to propose how we would recompense the customer for this discrimination. It also said it would pursue legal proceedings if we didn't respond within a seven-day time period," Mr McArthur said.
Legal assistance
The general manager said he was "very surprised" by the watchdog's letter and his firm asked the Christian Institute for advice on how to deal with the case.
The institute is supporting the bakery's stance and is now providing legal assistance.
Mr McArthur said: "I feel if we don't take a stand on this here case, then how can we stand up against it, further down the line?"
The general manager added that it was not the first time his company had refused customers' cake orders.
"In the past, we've declined several orders which have contained pornographic images and offensive, foul language."
Mr McArthur added: "I would like the outcome of this to be that, any Christians running a business could be allowed to follow their Christian beliefs and principles in the day-to-day running of their business and that they are allowed to make decisions based on that."
In a statement, the watchdog said: "The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland provides advice and can provide assistance to people who complain to us that they have suffered unlawful discrimination.
"In this case the commission has granted assistance to the complainant, and has written to the company concerned on his behalf.
"The commission will consider any response before taking further action."
Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK which has not passed a law to introduce same-sex marriage.[/b]
When someone is gay and bring actively discriminated against in the form of abuse, or people going out of their way to get at them then obviously it's not on and the law needs to step in and punish accordingly. However, when a small local business which prides itself as a small Christian business stands by their beliefs and turns away customers politely and respectfully then I support someone being entitled to walk what they talk... Even if in their shoes I'd be grateful for the custom.
Additionally is this Queerspace stumbling across this business by coincidence, or actively seeking to make a few headlines with a low blow?
Edit; Damn itallics/bold not working.
[b] Christian-run bakery that refused a customer's request to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage rights could face legal action.
Ashers Baking Company declined an order from a gay rights activist, asking for cake featuring the Sesame Street puppets, Bert and Ernie.
The customer also wanted the cake to feature the logo of a Belfast-based campaign group called "Queerspace".
The County Antrim firm could face legal action from the Equality Commission.
The watchdog confirmed it is assisting the customer whose order was refused and has written to the baking company on his behalf.
Christian beliefs
The bakery, which was founded in Newtownabbey in 1992, is run by the McArthur family.
The directors, who are Christians, run six shops in Northern Ireland and employ 62 people.
The firm's 24-year-old general manager, Daniel McArthur, said the customer placed the order in their Belfast branch a number of weeks ago, and it was then passed to their head office.
The firm's general manager, Daniel McArthur, recorded a statement which the Christian Institute posted online
In an online statement, Mr McArthur said: "The directors and myself looked at it and considered it and thought that this order was at odds with our beliefs.
"It certainly was at odds with what the Bible teaches, and on the following Monday we rang the customer to let him know that we couldn't take his order."
'Discriminated'
Mr MrArthur added that his firm offered the customer a full refund, which was collected shortly after the order was refused.
"We thought that was the end of it, but approximately six weeks later we received a letter from the Equality Commission. The Equality Commission's letter said that we had discriminated against the customer on the grounds of his sexual orientation.
Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK which has not passed a law to introduce same-sex marriage
"It asked us to propose how we would recompense the customer for this discrimination. It also said it would pursue legal proceedings if we didn't respond within a seven-day time period," Mr McArthur said.
Legal assistance
The general manager said he was "very surprised" by the watchdog's letter and his firm asked the Christian Institute for advice on how to deal with the case.
The institute is supporting the bakery's stance and is now providing legal assistance.
Mr McArthur said: "I feel if we don't take a stand on this here case, then how can we stand up against it, further down the line?"
The general manager added that it was not the first time his company had refused customers' cake orders.
"In the past, we've declined several orders which have contained pornographic images and offensive, foul language."
Mr McArthur added: "I would like the outcome of this to be that, any Christians running a business could be allowed to follow their Christian beliefs and principles in the day-to-day running of their business and that they are allowed to make decisions based on that."
In a statement, the watchdog said: "The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland provides advice and can provide assistance to people who complain to us that they have suffered unlawful discrimination.
"In this case the commission has granted assistance to the complainant, and has written to the company concerned on his behalf.
"The commission will consider any response before taking further action."
Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK which has not passed a law to introduce same-sex marriage.[/b]
When someone is gay and bring actively discriminated against in the form of abuse, or people going out of their way to get at them then obviously it's not on and the law needs to step in and punish accordingly. However, when a small local business which prides itself as a small Christian business stands by their beliefs and turns away customers politely and respectfully then I support someone being entitled to walk what they talk... Even if in their shoes I'd be grateful for the custom.
Additionally is this Queerspace stumbling across this business by coincidence, or actively seeking to make a few headlines with a low blow?
Edit; Damn itallics/bold not working.
Edited by Andehh on Tuesday 8th July 10:37
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