Colorado

By Mario Diaz, Esq., Legal Counsel 

The next step in the marginalization of Christian beliefs has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. As I write to you, I am knee-deep, as they say, in the writing of our amicus (friend of the court) brief in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. This is the case you have heard so much about, in which a Christian baker is being forced to use his artistic talents to celebrate same-sex “marriage.”

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for us to remain in constant prayer over this. The stakes are as high as ever, and we need to call on God’s mercy over us.

I think you are all aware of the general facts of the case. Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, operates his business according to his Christian convictions (closing on Sundays and such). Therefore, he does not create cakes that celebrate events or ideas that violate those convictions — no cakes for Halloween, anti-American ideas, atheism, racism, or indecency. This also includes any cakes celebrating marriage as something other than God’s model, between one man and one woman.

Two men, Craig and Mullins, wanted Jack to design a custom cake for their “same-sex wedding,” and when he politely declined, they filed “sexual orientation” discrimination charges with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The Commission found that Jack violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA).

He has now appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

What you might not know about this ghastly case is the remedy the Commission imposed on Jack, which the courts, in turn, upheld. It ordered him to 1) create the custom cakes celebrating “same-sex weddings,” if he is going to create cakes for traditional marriage, 2) to train his staff to do the same (meaning he must now, effectively, proselytize to his employees on the topic), and 3) to report to the Commission every order he declines for any reason for the next two years.

That is some scary, Gestapo-like law enforcement persecution of Christians we are witnessing. And it will only intensify if a case like this is left to stand.

The case involves both freedom of speech, as Jack is being compelled by the government to use his artistic expression against his will, and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, as he is required to violate his religious beliefs under threat of law.

It is an undisputed fact that CADA does not impose the same pressure on other cake artists to promote unwelcomed messages. In fact (and I know this is hard to believe), the Commission has exempted three secular cake artists from any violation after they refused to create cakes that opposed “same-sex marriage” for a Christian client.

That’s right. According to the Colorado “Gestapo” Commission, you can refuse to create a cake that opposes “same-sex marriage,” but you absolutely cannot refuse to create a cake to celebrate a “same-sex wedding.”

The courts below tried to obfuscate this obvious discrimination against Christians by saying that it is all about the actual design of the cake, since Jack did not design the cake before refusing to serve the same-sex couple. But that is simply preposterous. I confess, it would be amusing to see the federal courts turned into the “Next Great Baking Show,” where they just spend their time judging on the most offensive cake designs, but this is just not the purpose of our legal system.

The Commission argues that CADA does not ban “an African-American cake artist from refusing to create a cake promoting white-supremacism for the Aryan Nation.” Well, according to their arguments against Jack, it depends on the design of the cake the white supremacists want, regardless of whether or not it will be used as the centerpiece for their white supremacist rally.

What a joke.

Sisters and brothers in Christ, we must pray. What we are witnessing is the sort of darkening of the heart and mind that the Bible describes for us in Romans 1:21-22 and Ephesians 4:17-18.

That is why, even as I do my very best to express the best argument I can on this legal brief, my most cherished and trusted weapons are your prayers. Let them rise like the morning sun every day from now until the glorious day of His return. For this case specifically and beyond.

(Note as you read this, whether you are close enough to attend this Chapter or not, Chapters like this meet all around the country.  You can start one, too, by contacting the national office at 1-800-458-8797 or [email protected].)

Lakewood CWA Chapter of Concerned Women for America (CWA) continues to meet regularly after 30 years.  Actually, it might as well be called the Pauline Bostron Chapter, as Pauline was the organizer, hostess and educator of the group for most of those years.

Pauline passed away on January 22 of this year at the age of 91.  Her love of God and this nation, which He so graciously allowed her to be born into, were the driving forces behind a life of educating Christian women, her children and grandchildren in the hope that the America she was given would continue to bless those in the next generations.

Left to right.  Front row – Pauline Bostron, Debbie Rush.  Standing – Janet Simpson, Ethel Dasis, LaVerna MacManus, MaryAnn Bruno, Lynn Callison and Mildred Stephan (missing: Carolyn Scarboro).

Over 25 years ago, Mary Ann Bruno became the official CWA Prayer/Action Chapter Leader.  Her strong prayer focus has been a tremendous blessing.  Choosing a timely devotional or faith-building book and reading a chapter at a time over several months has been our key ingredient to any victory of which we have been a part.  She continues to direct us to do all things with prayer and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

The meetings are always full of lively discussions; each lady brings an item of political or social interest as they have concern; the discussion often leads to stronger positions that can be articulated in each member’s circles of influence.  When it seems useful, letters are drafted and sent under the signatures of Chapter members.  Books, book titles, and opportunities to attend Christian and political events are shared.  Congressmen, state senators and representatives and leaders of organizations have come to visit Chapter meetings and shared issues, concerns and prayer with the group.

The group recently attended a Voice of the Martyrs event held in Denver.  They have attended the pro-life event at the State Capitol as a group several times; a member of the group served as a CWA lobbyist at the state legislature many years ago, and a number of political and Christian activities have been attended and participated in by members of this Chapter over the years.  Chapter members have served as Precinct Committee Women and District Captains and organized voter registration events and candidate and issue forums at their respective churches.

The Pauline Bostron Chapter of Concerned Women for America meets, generally, on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  This is a Chapter for those who believe that prayer changes things and are interested in discussing the political and social agenda of our city, state and country Lively discussion is an energizer and a concern for our nation requires you to do something.  As this Chapter ages, there is much to share with the upcoming generation. Call Mary Ann Bruno, (303)239-8293 if you are interested in attending their next meeting.  You will be glad you did!