Developing: Pakistani Plane Escorted by UK Fighter Jets — 2 Men Arrested

Listen to the Buck Sexton Show Live on TheBlaze Radio

Faith

Oregon Baker Faces State Investigation After Refusing to Make Same-Sex Couple’s Wedding Cake

Feb. 2, 2013 8:32pm Erica Ritz

Oregon Baker Faces State Investigation After Refusing to Make Cake for Same Sex Couples Wedding

(Photo: KATU)

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:

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (623)

bdandsl
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:48pm
Good for him, though he will likely need to raise a defense fund.

It’s far past time to stand up and stand together against all this PC crap that they are constantly cramming down our throats!

Can some gay people open up a bakery and solve this problem? Deviants helping deviants.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Kafir-Islamsux
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:45pm
Here is their website…visit and send them an email of encouragement….and you can buy from them online.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Kafir-Islamsux
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:46pm
  Correction…gotta call them…
  
  Report this comment
Chromo200
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:43pm
Next time someone does not want to bake a cake or make an outfit for any individual, be nice but tell them that they are very busy and will be unable to fulfill their order. Or two days before delivery for the cake, call them and say you can’t fulfill the order since you have the flu or intestinal virus and then close the bakery for a couple of days and stay home.

Since we are loosing our freedom, we need to be smarter then they are and frustrate them to no end.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
easye2984
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:37pm
Keep government out of private businesses. Gays are clearly targeting the store & that’s what should be investigated.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
CENSAYS
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:14pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Cakes-by-Melissa/352725392798 LIKE Them. This is my idea, I am calling monday and ordering $50 worth of goods. If they can send to my bro in Cali, great, if not, I want them to deliver the goods to someone in their church how is suffering from something (depression or illness in family or illness). Imagine what YOU can do to make a difference in Oregon and for the people in the area and for this BRAVE couple who are now under sever attack.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TommyGuns
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:04pm
Many of you folks have no clue what you’re talking about. If a business refuses service to anyone in a protected class, whether it’s racial, ethnic, disability or, in this case, sexual orientation, they can be held liable under the laws of the jurisdiction where their business is located. The solution is not to complain about the law, but to change it. In this instance, I don’t know how you would put a conscience clause in the law. It’s a small step from having a religious conviction against same sex couples, to having the same conviction against serving, say, inter-racial couples, Muslims, etc. The only way you can cure this particular problem is to remove sexual orientation is a protected class. I mean, middle class white men, or red headed women, are not protected classes. Why should there be a special class for same sex couples?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The Big Mick
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:34pm
  TG,
  To extend Dr. M.L.King Jr. (“Letter from a Birmingham Jail” maybe?) “A threat to Liberty (original “Justice”) anywhere is a threat to Liberty everywhere” and “Liberty delayed is Liberty denied.”
  
  If it is an IMMORAL and UNJUST Law, DESTRUCTIVE to the Ends of God Endowed, Unalienable Individual Liberty,TG, then it SHOULD be “complained about” as in VEHEMENTLY and ZEALOUSLY OPPOSED, even Skirted, Flouted, Ignored, Subverted, and Mocked!
  EXACTLY the way Prohibition was.
  Or are you arguing it is MORAL and JUST to COMPLY with an Immoral and Unjust law UNTIL a Sufficient Number of your fellow Dumbcit Voters get manipulated into changing their nearly empty minds?
  Where you are right is in the idea that there should be NO “protected” groups and ANY Free Citizen can REFUSE his commerce to ANYONE for ANY reason, because they don’t like Fat Irishmen like me, say. One would think that would be the Basic Right of Free Association but The STATE and THE COLLECTIVE WILL keep trying to CONTROL us. Give me L.Neil Smith’s Libertarian Utopia “The North American Confederacy.”
  
  Report this comment
The Big Mick
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:04pm
Well, Ducks, there’s “Your Oregon Tax Dollars At Work”. Sorta gives The Lie to the Prhomos line that SSM is all about “Equal Justice” don’t it? How many bakeries are available to them that would be pleased to serve them? Dozens? Scores? Heck they could Order the Cake online and have it delivered. Search out a Shop that MARKETS to SSMs.
From the report is appears what at least one of the Brides is really out for NOW is to USE the STATE to PUNISH Klein for his Religious Beliefs. Nobody’d care what the Bride and Bride did between their own…..sheets. But, no, THEY got to threaten this man’s livelihood with the Jackboot of Government for refusing to AFFIRM their perversion.

Thus it can be seen that the REAL Objective of State Sanctioned SSM is to USE the Imprimatur of The State to SILENCE those who Believe Homosex is said by God to be a Debauched, Depraved, and Degenerate kind of Idolatry.

One wonders if the Offended Couple would support, say, an Incestuous or a Polygamous SS Couple who set the State Rottweilers on a baker for refusing to bake THEIR cake. And before you say “but THOSE aren’t LEGAL” keep in mind that SSM wasn’t not too long ago. On what basis are you going to GRANT Legitimacy to the One and WITHOLD it from the Others? Think ALL the way THRU that before you start trotting out DIS-cogent arguments about “meaningful consent”. State Sanction of the LEGALITY does NOT remove the Baker’s MORAL objections in ANY of those cases.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
john vincent
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:55pm
I’m afraid the bakers, as good as their intentions may be, have missed the boat here. Sure they ‘can’ refuse to do the cake for two so called brides, and as distasteful as I find that, they could actually set an example here for what true christianity is.

Would they also refuse to bake a cake for divorced couples? men and women living together unmarried? people who lie? people who cheat on their taxes? people who speed? You may say I’m straining at a gnat and comparing two different fruits, in other words, just about every other sinner on the block would be refused.

The Kleins actually could try to manifest what bible love is; that is not condemning they who are already condemned. Bake the cake, say God bless you, you are not asked to attend the wedding. While I understand they want to make a stand, the two women are no different than an obese christian. Both out of order.

Now if they refused to make the cake for two so called christians who are yoked that way, they would have a case, but again, it should be handled discreetly and not in the press. ‘Love covers a multitude of sins…’

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The Big Mick
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:16pm
  Johnny,
  I think a case can be made your argument reduces to “if you can’t stop all sin you can’t judge any sin.”
  Nonsense on the face of it if you stop to apply it to J-walking and Murder.
  If you are arguing a case can be made for a Christian to refuse to affirm any number of behaviors, fine. But to imply that if you don’t make a point of refusing all you shouldn’t make a point of refusing some or one, simply won’t fly.
  
  As my Old Testament Proff, Micky Efird, used to say: “Ya pays ya money, and ya makes ya choice.”
  
  We ALL have a responsibility “not to lay hands on anyone too quickly and thus share in the sin of some” and “to test the Spirits”. Those are New Testament Principles that have both a Specific New Testament application AND a more general one. If Klein is ill at ease in having the work of his hands celebrate something he finds Morally Reprehensible, then he SHOULD think carefully about what he participates in. Seems to me we are in EXACTLY the same kind of Questionable Moral Ground that Paul addresses with the Corinthians about “meat sacrificed to idols.”
  I’d argue you and I need to cut “the weaker brother” some slack.
  
  Report this comment
- CENSAYS
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:21pm
  John, it’s a stance. And if a business wants to make a stance, that USED TO BE their right, and ought to be. If we all stop having any standards (and we’re almost there) then we loose everything good. I stand with them because they stood up and even tho I’m in pa, I’m ordering something from them.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:42pm
  mick-
  sens-
  good calls-
  
  if u read anything i have posted, I am big time against this egregious sin,’ as a matter of fact, it is called an abomination, of which you know. Keep in mind, this man, if he is a brother, is operating ‘in the world,’ so the playing field has changed.
  
  In principle, he ‘could’ refuse’ the cake; but lo and behold, these two women could die tomorrow and could have been told something about the redeeming love of God. Think about it, we get so wrapped up in others sins, we forget that Christ did not come to make a bad person good,…. but to make a dead man alive. Obviously they need life, not a new dress. That said, what gospel is preached when we chase away they who are excellent candidates for g r a c e ??
  
  I’ll concede the ‘weaker brother’ point, but God is more interested in how we treat our own; the ungodly he can deal with…
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:51pm
  Mick, there is no such thing as ‘sin’. It is a man made construct, purely for the purpose of controlling the masses. In this case, I don’t know who to support. While I agree with the freedom of the owner to serve who he wants, I don’t believe in hiding behind religion as a reason to discriminate. Individual freedom is always more important than religion.
  
  Report this comment
- The Big Mick
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:53pm
  Good rebuttal brother John, graciously done, I see your points. I commend the way you have handled the Word of Truth accurately like a good workman, instructed The Way More Accurately, and addressed “the more excellent way”. EXCELLENT POINT about asking “How would The Lord task me with Being the Good News to these folks.” (my turn of phrase, but I think along your point)
  No further argument from me.
  “And if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that to you also, only let us keep living to that standard to which we have obtained.”
  thanks Bro, nicely done.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:28am
  mick-
  
  remember the ‘holy men of God’ who judged themselves in light of God’s holiness, (isaiah, woe is me) (Paul- chief of sinners) this was not self depracating but self erasing- I am embarrassed on occaision that words fail the moment to testify of the grace of God (for he justifies the ungodly)
  
  your last post was well received, without the flattery- much appreciated, tkx- Kind of serendipity, that we find fellowship from such a topic as this- interesting.
  
  lastly, if we had the chance to meet the baker, and his heart was tender, and his mind sensitive to the soft proddings of God’s word, I could see a lot of good issuing down the road in his life
  
  Report this comment
timber wolf
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:49pm
Gay activists are filing lawsuits against people who refuse to do business with them on moral/religious grounds – such as when a New Mexico photographer was sued for $6,600 by a lesbian couple for refusing to photograph their wedding. http://www.wnd.com/2009/12/119282/

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Grand design
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:49pm
I guess in Oregon, the state has the authority to tell business people that they must serve everyone the state says! Looks like the end of free will and the end of people running their own businesses!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Carlinpa
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:47pm
here we go again… You think the fact that he displays The Cross had anything to do with a lesbian coming in and ordering a cake?

Ahh ” accommodations”? doesn’t that mean like hotel, motel?

He didn’t refuse service, he refused to make an image he finds abominable. The lesbian could order some cookies and pie, couldn’t she?

It says can’t refuse accommodations base on sexual orientation, it doesn’t seem to distinguish between legal and illegal. If someone came in wanting a cake to celebrate, pedophilia, necrophilia or incest, would he have to comply?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bikerdogred1
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:42pm
I won’t make them a cake either,but I would tell the state to go screw themselves.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
asybot12
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:39pm
Personally I think it is the two women looking for their 15 minutes the baker appears to busy to need his.
And BTW why is it that this minority of our population gets all the ” 15″ minutes every time they open their traps. As far as I know most of them do not want the sunlight and just (like we do ) want to be left alone. They have made a life choice so WHAT. This business owner has all the right to refuse service it is HIS business not any of ours.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Hangman54
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:39pm
@freeberty
That sure is a mighty broad brush you’re paintin’ with, just cause a guy has an earring he is gay??
WTF??
I correct Me if I’m wrong but I thinkHe is quoted as saying He runs the bakery with His wife.

Besides I have a pierced ear, and I bet You wouldn’t say that I was gay to My face…

…just saying

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
mizz_p
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:23pm
I personally think this guy is just looking for his 15 minutes. Why does it matter if it’s two women getting married? He’s a baker who makes wedding cakes. Why would he deny a sale just to make a political statement. Seems crazy to me.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The Big Mick
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 11:45pm
  Mizz, do you really NOT understand that this is a MORAL, indeed a RELIGIOUS, issue for this man?
  NOT a “Political” one?
  Can you see it if we frame it THIS way:
  Would a “Black” baker be making a ONLY a POLITICAL stand, or would it have a MORAL Component, if he refused to bake a cake for Two Kluckers who wanted “White Supremacy Forever” on it?
  How about a Jewish baker who was approached by a couple of Skin Heads who wanted the SS Sigrunes and the Swastika on it?
  Would either have reasons DEEPER than merely “political” for refusing? Would you advise either to “just make the sale”?
  If you CAN see it in either or both of those cases, why CAN’T you see it in Klein’s case?
  To YOU it may be “who cares if two women get married”, to HIM it is a MORAL Issue.
  If you can grant the others, and yourself, the Freedom to Refuse on Moral Grounds, why not him?
  
  Report this comment
R.A. Bullseye
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:21pm
Doesn’t he have a right to serve or not serve any one who walks through his door? This is a private business and he should be able to make that decision not the state gov’t.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Ohello
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:14pm
See the Constitution protects individual rights that are granted by God. When the government becomes God and grants rights contrary to God, you will have conflict. Women having sex with women is a behavioral issue. Religions regulate behavior outside of the government but within the religion.
I don’t expect an Islamic restaurant to serve pork, or force its staff to handle pork. Islamist and Jews believe the eating of the pig is an abomination. They do not support others in their eating behaviors.
I don’t expect a Christian businessman to be forced by the government to support others in their sexual behaviors. The state has no true authority to regulate or prosecute. The people should resist any attempts by the state to prosecute, or deny this people of their persuit of happiness based on the sexual behavior choices of a couple of ignorant women.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ChuckJ
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:13pm
Why does he have to respond anything? Just tell them the woman was “too hot” to work for. There is no law about refusing service because someone looks too good.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Ohello
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:19pm
  So now the guy has to be a liar to maintain his religious freedom? Shrewd as a snake?
  
  Report this comment
enderwiggen
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:12pm
When the state normalizes deviant sexual behavior they can and will crush those who oppose the state. That is what “good government” does to protect its sickest members. You will comply with what the state commands or they will close you down. Move to Texas, we don’t have deviant sexual behavior marriage yet.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
BlackCrow
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:11pm
He would be welcome here in Texas.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:06pm
I dont care if gays get married. They have to answer to God for their sins.I have my own to answer for. But that baker has to answer to God as well. Don’t like it? Go to the Grocery store and buy a Betty Crocker Cake mix.
This is why more people can not support gay marriage. First it is the baker who has to spend a fortune to defend himself from a ‘hate crime.” Next it is Holly Rollers Snake Handling Pentecostal Church of the Screaming Hillbillies for not performing gay marriages.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
OBAMANATIONOFDESOLATION
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:01pm
If you don’t “validate” their immoral choice, then you are a “hater” and should be punished with the full force of the legal system. Expect to see, and experience, more of this as society degenerates further. The moral standard for America is “do what you want”, which coincidently is the Satanist standard, “Do what thou wilt”. Is it any wonder why good is evil and evil is good.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
wordweaver
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:01pm
This is a no-brainer… except… it’s Oregon – where strange things happen even by the light of day.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Ohello
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:21pm
  All because of the Californians, and communalists that moved there so they could freely exercise their right to live as they please. Too bad the commies took over.
  
  Report this comment
1FreeVoice
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:59pm
My opinion – if a business can say “no shirt, no shoes, no service” then they can discriminate on religious grounds as well. There are other bakeries.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
asybot12
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:59pm
wow @ lovethe etc you must be really scared of the truth. I read your comments and wonder if the walls in your basement are soundproofed by your mom so she can’t hear the vileness coming out of there.
You accuse everybody for hatred lying etc. etc but your diatribe does not stop for one sentence.
You little man are just that, a little man.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.