Posted on 04/17/2015 10:14:44 AM PDT by Kaslin
Radical activists in the gay community have put pedal to the metal to force gay acceptance from Christians -- making not only their position but also their tactics anti-Christian. They are deliberately targeting the Christian wedding industry -- the cakemakers, the caterers, the quaint bed-and-breakfast owners, and the like. They are headhunting Christians who refuse their business on moral grounds by slapping them with lawsuits or "human rights" complaints.
Fascists would appreciate these tactics.
Everyone witnessed the national shaming and death threats that came to Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, because the owners declined to cater a gay "wedding" -- while stating effusively that they never had, nor would they ever consider turning away gay customers. It needs to be underscored that the owners never even received a catering request. They were simply asked their opinions and that's all the Thought Police needed. There are other less publicized examples of real trouble.
Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene's Flowers in Richland, Washington, was sued -- by a regular customer -- for refusing to provide her services for his gay marriage. The state's attorney general pressed her to settle for a $1,000 fine and a promise she would perpetually violate her conscience and fulfill all gay marriage requests in the future. There were other florists -- Stutzman even offered a referral to someone else -- but this wasn't about flowers. It was about silencing Christian opposition.
A textbook case of left-wing entrapment came with Robert and Cynthia Gifford, owners of an inn near Albany, New York. A lesbian activist called to request a gay marriage at the inn, and she recorded the phone call. When Gifford said no, the activist filed a complaint with the blue state's "Human Rights" bureaucrats. The Giffords were fined $13,000 -- including $3,000 to the lesbian activist couple for their "mental anguish."
There are other examples around the country. In the days to come there will be many more. This is orchestrated, and vicious.
What are Christians to do?
Enter Father John Zuhlsdorf, a priest and blogger in Madison, Wisconsin. He has arrived at a solution for all these lawsuits that could turn the issue completely on its head. He counsels a big Yes for any gay-wedding requests, with a few promises written into the contract (with Catholic touches in this example).
Tell them that the food and services will be just fine. "And then inform them that all of the money that they pay for the services will be donated to a traditional pro-family lobby. If it is something like catering, where your employees have to be there to provide services, tell them that all your people will smile, be professional, and every one of them will be wearing crucifixes and have the Holy Family embroidered on their uniforms. Then show them pictures of your uniforms. When the truck pulls up, speakers will be playing 'Immaculate Mary.' Show them the truck and play the music."
If they're appalled, then say, "Oh, you would be offended by that? I'm so sorry. You approached us because we are Christians. Right? We are happy to provide services for you and we are grateful that you chose to come to our Christian catering business. We just want to be of help.
"Then tell them that you will take out an ad in the paper to let everyone know what you did with their money, thanking them by name for their business so that you could make the contribution."
No one is refused service or suffers "discrimination" in this scenario, and the caterer's conscience is intact. Leftist lawyers and judges don't get to levy fines. But if gay couples want to force their lifestyle on others, it naturally follows that religious believers should push their beliefs more elaborately as well.
You raise a valid question, one I think I addressed in post 40.
If you’re going to take this route, all you have to do is post a disclaimer stating that, at the owner’s discretion, some or all the proceeds from any transaction done at this establishment may be donated to the Anti-Homo League, the Society for the Protection of Marriage, or Ted Cruz. That way you’re not making a promise of any kind.
This is agreeing to wear the Yellow Star, as far as i'm concerned. If they make you wear the star today, they will be breaking your windows tomorrow.
It is not a solution. It is an attempt to capitulate while saving some face.
Agreed. This is about forcing a bootlicking affirmation. A sh*t they do not give what you do so long as you do as your told on the central question.
I think the idea of allowing the general public to join in with this fight by making contributions of money has real merit.
I firmly believe these business owners have far, far more support than the homosexuals who are targeting them.
While this would hardly be a Chick-fil-a moment for the business, it would be substantial.
I think Rudyard Kipling explained how this worked a hundred years ago.
It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
To call upon a neighbour and to say: --
"We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
And then you'll get rid of the Dane!
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say: --
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."
And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we've proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say: --
"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that pays it is lost!"
I agree. It is just that. When our town was ordered by the courts to remove a 10 commandments monument in front of our high school, it was placed in a yard across from the school. So many thought “in their eye”. See, it’s right there in plain view.
The greater point, of course, was that they were just saving face. The principle of religious people’s also being included in regular life had been overthrown by the government.
Yours is a valid criticism for some, I agree.
I admire those who chose the path you’ve outlined.
There are other business owners who would find my idea an acceptable way to navigate these dangerous waters.
Wars are won using hundreds of strategies, thousands of tactics, and tens of thousand of different types of soldiers.
I’ve presented a strategy that a soldier can chose to use to hammer the homosexual enemy, and at the same time allow the community to join together in hammering the bastards.
I will point out much of this disaster stems from the 14th amendment. It applies restrictions of the Federal Government to all the States. In 1787 several states had officially sanctioned state religions. Since the Roosevelt appointed courts in the 1940s, the 14th amendment has been used to justify precluding official sanction of religion by a state.
You are suggesting we play footsy games with Nazi brownshirts. I don't see that working out very well.
You’re suggesting sacrificing the business owners business rather than capitulate.
Some are willing to do that, as we’ve seen, even to the point of being forced to give the homosexuals their retirement accounts rather than ‘bake the cake’.
What do you recommend for those business owners who aren’t will to go that far, but still want to spit in the eye of the bastards?
Let this cup pass before me? I don't know. You might as well ask me what Christians in ISIS overrun regions should do.
This beast will not be long appeased with crumbs.
STOP TRYING TO BE CLEVER AND STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND IS YOUR RIGHT!
(yes I am shouting).
You don’t know, fair enough. It’s a very tough situation we find ourselves in.
I’ve owned a number of businesses in my life, committing business suicide wouldn’t be an option for me in this situation.
Thus my idea, one that could reasonably raise hundreds of thousands of dollars and enormous community involvement to bring the fight to these evil bastards.
The silution under the law is that these businesses should stop being so called “public accomodations”. For as long as they remain so, someone will come after them and win, no matter how unfair that is.
Instead of selling cakes or contracting directly with the marrying couple, they should contract with selected churches that will in turn provide cakes/photograhy/etc. as part of their matrimonial services.
These businesses would have to go all in and not make any exceptions to this wholesaling practise to stay out of harm’s way.
By selecting appropriate churches as wholesale customers, these businesses can control the issue until the benevolents in government shut down the miscreant houses of worship.
They are still participating in an unrighteous act. Not a solution.
Sorry, but even all that wouldn’t satisfy the Anal Sex Radicals. What the HELL happened to Freedom of Association that is in the Constitution??
A wedding and a Funeral both have Govt. interference for the license and the death certificate. Baptism is the only one that does NOT.
How about “Just Say NO, I’m booked solid for that date”??
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