Posted on 08/12/2013 7:03:55 PM PDT by Morgana
GRIMES, IA, August 12, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) A Christian couple is facing a state complaint, business cancellations, and vulgar, harassing, and threatening e-mail messages after refusing to rent out a business facility for a gay wedding.
Dick and Betty Odgaard said they could not in good conscience allow a homosexual couple to use their business, the Görtz Haus Gallery, to conduct the ceremony itself. Betty Odgaard Betty Odgaard
To us, [marriage] is a sacrament, Betty Odgaard said, that exists only between a man and woman.
She told Billy Hallowell of The Blaze their rejection was totally a faith-based issue, adding the couple would be happy to serve the homosexuals in any other way, besides being the site on which they traded vows.
The couple quickly filed a legal complaint before the Iowa Human Rights Commission, saying that state law forbids any public venue from denying the use of its premises on the basis of sexual orientation.
As the story of their denial broke, frightening messages began filling up the Odgaard's inbox, the couple says.
F--k you, f--k your God, f--k your religion," said one message from an angry gay rights activist. The same writer enlarged upon his thoughts, adding, You are mean, rude, selfish, mother f---er racist sons of b---hes from hell.
The family has suffered financial loss for its traditional stance, as well. Other couples have canceled their ceremonies.
The Grimes, Iowa, location served as a Lutheran church for nearly 65 years and is a popular destination for couples tying the knot.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iowa since April 3, 2009, when the state Supreme Court unanimously declared its defense of marriage law violated the constitution.
Lawsuits and legal actions accusing Christians of violating anti-discrimination statutes have risen in proportion to the number of states and localities that have toyed with redefining marriage.
Click "like" if you want to defend true marriage.
Last year, a judge ruled that a New Jersey retreat house affiliated with the United Methodist Church could not refuse its services for a gay marriage.
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson pressed charges against elderly Christian florist Barronelle Stutzman after she refused to sell flowers for a gaymarriage in March.
Christian photographers Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin were convicted of violating the New Mexico Human Rights Act after they declined to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony.
Rasmussen pollsters found earlier this year that 85 percent of Americans believe people should be able to opt out of participating in same-sex marriage ceremonies if they so choose.

The tolerance of the left...
Why do the homos insist on going where they are not wanted?
If they’re anything like my militant lesbian cousin, the couple went looking for a place that wouldn’t do business with them.
Tell the miscreants to Luck themselves.
Just remember. Paul Ryan thinks these people should be allowed to adopt children.
These perps want’d to “do it” in an a former sanctuary.
Even you.
Ryan is an anti-law/un-Constitutionalist.
it seems like the first thing they do once ‘gay marriage’ is legalized is to seek out Christian venues and stores to harass
“Hey we’re homos and we can get married now so lets go find a Christian organization and FORCE THEM to serve us whether they want to or not”
I bet they wouldn’t rent their facility for a Satanic seance either. I know I wouldn’t.
Because the fudgepackers want more attention to themselves? There are effing’ thousands of places these degenerate pukes can disease themselves together yet they pick on locations where they know they cause trouble.
Because the require the affirmation of others.
> because they are emboldened by a gay preident they think has their back(side)
I've read the Iowa and the United States Constitutions many times, and nowhere is the judiciary granted law-making or constitution-amending authority.
This is a coup d'etat, enabled by the ignorant cowards in the executive and legislative branches.
That, my FRiend, is the whole idea behind gay marriage.
It is a direct assault on religion
the left enjoy shoving things down others’ throats, both figuratively and literally
Ironic that you never seem to see them trying to pull this stunt at a mosque, huh?
I wonder why...
By design. To bring down Western values.
Being black isn’t a sin. Being a sodomite is. The state is now effectively forcing people to violate their conscience because a couple of fudgepacking libtards couldn’t be bothered to find one of probably dozens of other businesses that would’ve celebrated their sin with them.
This country is going to hell.
bump
The way out is simple: Rent them the newly decorated hall featuring very prominent banners with bible quotes.
Quotes about forgiveness, certain types of sin, hell, Jesus can forgive anything, contact information about ex-gay Christian groups, etc.
Are there any ex-gay groups left?
I know they finally destroyed Exodus International
racist? you mean you can change your race by going in the out door??
if these people do not have the right to choose who, when and where they perform their business... they are no more then slaves
it’s their right to choose
anyone attacking them for it is attempting to deny their rights
that kind of sums up their sexual habits as well...
they dont call it PRIDE...for nothing!
thats all they HAVE...
IMO, their goal is to be able to force churches to allow the ceremonies be performed and celebrations (receptions) to be held on church property. The state has no right to force a business to go against its conscience.
“Why do the homos insist on going where they are not wanted?”
Well of course they deliberately target people to make a point. That is the case here.
That is the difference between a homosexual and gay person. The latter isn’t militant about it and keeps it in the bedroom. The former is in you face about it, even if they get a extra look while holding hands in public for example.
I’ve seen a gay couple holding hands in public, I noticed it, and maybe looked twice however noting was said by either party. When I or others noticed a homosexual “couple” holding hands in a mall and they realized the extra attention, they yelled “We’re gay! You got a problem whit that, f***er!?” into the crowd.
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