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A Christian baker is under a state investigation in Oregon after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

The Oregon Attorney General is investigating Aaron Klein, the owner of Sweet Cakes by Melissa. Klein reportedly refused to make a wedding cake for two lesbians.

Klein, who is a Christian, told the couple that he would not sell them a cake based on his religious beliefs that marriage should be between one man and one woman. “I believe marriage is a religious institution between a man and woman as stated in the Bible,” Klein told the Portland Oregonian. “When someone tells me that their definition is something different, I strongly disagree. I don’t think I should be penalized for that.”

One of the women filed a complaint alleging that his actions violated the Oregon Equality Act. If the baker is found guilty, he could face $50,000 in fines.

Religious beliefs don’t outweigh state law, attorney Matthew Ellis told the Portland Tribune.

“They have the right to refuse service, so long as it’s not based on race, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability,” he told the newspaper. Klein said the bakery is a family-owned business. Their website includes a Bible passage from the New Testament — John 3:16.“I apologized for wasting their time and said we don’t do same-sex marriages,” he told television station KATU. “I honestly did not mean to hurt anybody, didn’t mean to make anybody upset, (it’s) just something I believe in very strongly.”

Klein told Fox 12 he ”should not be compelled to violate my conscience,”

“If I’m told I have to make a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage, I feel that I’m violating my beliefs,” he told Fox. “I don’t think I should have to do that.” Klein said he’s got no problem serving gay customers – but he draws the line at creating wedding cakes for gay nuptials. He told Fox 12 his faith in Christ outweighs state law — and if push came to shove – he would be willing to lose his business and face whatever penalties they state might levy. “I’d rather stand up for what I believe in and what I feel is right and get totally annihilated when it comes in the end than to bow down to this and say ‘go ahead,’” he said. “Because that sets the standard for the next one, the next one, and the next one.”

“If I have to be to, I guess, be penalized for my beliefs, then I guess, well, that’ll be what it is,” he told the television station. “My First Amendment rights allow me to practice my religion as I see it.”

Der_Kommissar1968 wrote:It's just the cost of doing business in interstate commerce. Once you engage in it, you've subjected yourself to equal protection laws, just like everyone else.

NYBuckeye96 wrote:

Der_Kommissar1968 wrote:It's just the cost of doing business in interstate commerce. Once you engage in it, you've subjected yourself to equal protection laws, just like everyone else.

Agreed. If he didn't want to serve a black guy, is that ok?

Remember the "IRISH NEED NOT APPLY" signs that were common in early US history?

NYBuckeye96 wrote:Agreed. If he didn't want to serve a black guy, is that ok?

NYBuckeye96 wrote:If you have a business, you cannot pick and choose who you will or will not serve.

If he feels so strongly about this, he should close his business and go work for someone else.

An Oregon man may have broken the law and is facing a state investigation after refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex couple’s wedding, KATU reports.

KGW has details on the story:

It started on Jan. 17 when a mother and daughter showed up at Sweet Cakes by Melissa looking for the perfect wedding cake.
“My first question is what’s the wedding date,” said owner Aaron Klein. “My next question is bride and groom’s name … the girl giggled a little bit and said it’s two brides.”
Klein apologized to the women and told them he and his wife do not make cakes for same-sex marriages. Klein said the women were disgusted and walked out.
“I believe that marriage is a religious institution ordained by God,” said Klein. “A man should leave his mother and father and cling to his wife … that to me is the beginning of marriage.”
[...]
“I’d rather have my kids see their dad stand up for what he believes in then to see him bow down because one person complained.”

One of the women filed a complaint on January 28– also saying Klein referred to them as “abominations unto the Lord”– and now the Oregon Attorney General’s civil enforcement officers are investigating the claim.

But Klein says he never used harsh language and has no problem with homosexuals; he just doesn’t want to be a part of their marriage.

“I honestly did not mean to hurt anybody, didn’t mean to make anybody upset, [it’s] just something I believe in very strongly,” he told KATU.

When asked whether he’d be willing to lose his business over the matter, Klein said: “If I have to be to, I guess, be penalized for my beliefs, then I guess, well, that’ll be what it is.”

The case now presents a unique legal dilemma, according to reports, since Oregon law forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the U.S. Constitution protects Klein’s freedom of religion.

Klein has two weeks to file his official account what happened before the attorney general’s office decides how to proceed.

KATU has more on the story, including an interview with Klein:

abuck76 wrote:It is a secular issue as Government is secular..........The 14th amendment is the basis........You on the religious right want the rights guarenteed you when you want them, and only for the people YOU decide should have them..........The 14th amendment covers everyone, as it should be......We still have a little more road to travel to get total equal rights for Gay men and women, but Equal Rights for people of color took many years as well as for women.........It will happen once some dinosaurs are gone........Equal Rights means just that..EQUAL............. :12224

dazed&confused wrote:Should a lessor have the right to deny a lesbian couple the right to rent an apartment? Ablack couple? A muslim couple?