This Is Not Going to End Well': Blaze Readers React to Judge Ruling That Elderly Christian Florist Illegally Discriminated by Refusing Service to a Gay Wedding

TheBlaze posted a story earlier this week about how an elderly Christian florist who refused to provide flowers for a gay wedding due to her religious beliefs might be financially penalized for her decision.

Image source: Facebook

Since a judge ruled she violated the law, the state and the gay couple at the center of the legal battle are both able to collect damages and legal fees from Barronelle Stutzman’s business — Arlene’s Flowers & Gifts — and from the florist personally, according to her attorneys.

Here's what some readers had to say about the issue:

Cavallo

Do a work around. Require that people wanting wedding or religious items belong to a club. Such services being offered only to members of that club. Then the business isn’t discriminating since it's only contractually doing certain business with a club. Then the business itself doesn’t do religious or certain ceremonies and is less likely to get in trouble.

It should be a separate entity that manages the club, preferably a trusted statewide religion-friendly organization. Maybe the ADF. Then they could have bakers and florists and other service companies statewide as contractual partners. The state can’t (yet) force you to let people into private organizations or prevent private organizations from having contracts or agreements with businesses.

Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}

You may choose Christianity, BUT you will be broken for doing so: this is exactly what we were warned of and what is happening here and in Europe.

The forcing of secular beliefs upon all of us is continuing apace and will accelerate with each opportunity the admin takes. This is not going to end well.

BunnyOlesen

I rule that these selfish sons of crap who SUE small business owners to force them to provide services against their religious beliefs are all selfish, ego-driven, mean, hateful, cruel and fascist.

OKAY the lady said, "I can’t do your wedding – it goes against my religious beliefs" – LET IT GO and get another florist JACKASS.

THEN to sue her for damages, too? Like they sue PRIESTS or preachers and force them to do marriage ceremonies when there are many other people who are capable of doing so?

I WANT to see this type of lawsuit against a MOSQUE or an Islamic-owned florist, caterer, IMAM or whatever! The only problem would be that one or both of the gays would probably be physically attacked or killed if they sued a mosque or an IMAM to force THEM to hold a wedding ceremony.

JGraham III

Welcome to the Soviet State of Washington! But as this case is in Tri-Cities, a rather conservative area of the state, I don’t think we've heard the end of it. Sooner or later this issue of the rights of business owners vs. the rights of patrons will come before the Supreme Court. If I owned a small business, I would build into my business model “the grief factor” — an added-on amount to offset penalties I take on due to odious clients as these two men apparently have become.

Caniac Steve

I don't believe I've ever read about a Buddhist, Shinto, Eastern Orthodox, Muslim or Scientologist business owner getting targeted by gay activists for discrimination...have you ?

momrules

Mrs. Stutzman:

As you are well aware you are being persecuted for your faith in God. America is no longer the great country that it was in the days when the Constitution was honored. Lawlessness abounds and you are caught up in a system that holds you guilty for loving your Lord and His word. The Lawless know that Christianity must be destroyed for them to thrive and you are on the front lines of the battle being waged between good and evil — a battle that will come to each of us soon.

Stand strong in your faith my Christian sister. Almighty God has not forgotten you nor will I. You will be in my prayers.

dublinthewagons

Thanks Billy. Here we go again. Who would want to open a business in the U.S. with freedoms regarding personal decision-making being taken away? What happened to posted signs that read “we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone”? Our money starts the business. Get government PC out.

barber2

If conscientious objectors are allowed to not kill in battle, why are people who believe that homosexual behavior is deviant and immoral not allowed to exercise their right of conscience?

irishconfetti754

A political activist disguised as a judge rules in favor of the homosexual. Again. That's the way it is, and I guess the way it’s going to be.

Arcana

Imagine being in her position. Getting a request that would cause her to violate her beliefs. What courage it must have taken her to refuse — and refuse in love, no less. She was not ignorant as to what has been happening to Christian business owners all over the nation. She knew, and yet she stayed firmly ground in her beliefs. I hope to have the same courage should I ever be confronted with the same dilemma.

God bless her.

Busman55

They couldn’t find a gay florist?

Captain_Kronos

Her PERSONAL beliefs and First Amendment rights were not violated. She can stay true to her beliefs in her PERSONAL life. However, running a BUSINESS, she has to follow regulations — one of those is that she cannot discriminate against an entire group of people, just like how she cannot put up a sign that says “Whites Only." There is a big difference between her PERSONAL beliefs and BUSINESS regulations.

ThankYouFounders

Tolerance is a two-way street. It used to mean people could disagree, and if I don’t like what you do, then I just stay away and you live your life and I live mine. Now it means forcing others to comply with your beliefs under threat of lawsuits or bankruptcy.

Robert Ingersall and Curt Freed are the perpetrators.

Chromo200

If she knew they were homosexual, then she should have said, “Sorry I don’t have time to meet your wedding schedule”… she can add that she will be out of town that week. Don’t bring religion into the issue.

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